96.151Mini-project — accompany a melody you have never harmonized

Choose a simple tune that you know melodically but have never played with chords.

Do not look up harmony.

Perform five passes:

Pass 1

melody + tonic/drone.

Pass 2

I-IV-V only.

Pass 3

add vi/ii and bass inversions.

Pass 4

add shells and one inner line.

Pass 5

add three tasteful reharmonizations.

Record all five.

Then compare:

At which point did it already sound musically complete?

You may discover:

much earlier than expected.