___ ![photo-1556865897-3e02fedb1774.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVZpjTmPMzT4eAucZvALHKSWybVknnmA4JSxjxc3b5egC/photo-1556865897-3e02fedb1774.jpeg) [source](https://unsplash.com/photos/thW2sk-646E) ___ Anyone who has been through musical training will encounter this rule: Never combine the **3rd** and **4th** in a chord. What does "third" and "fourth" mean? It means the **third** note in the scale and the **fourth** note in the scale at the same time. ___ ![IMG_7472 copy.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWwh51kA1GxYHzne9mB1dc4cX3zxJP8vi1TfxHAnpKTTD/IMG_7472%20copy.jpg) This is okay! It's a normal major chord in C. If you look at far left white key marked by an oval and continue to count only white keys, stopping once you count to 8, then the key you land on should match the key you started on. These are all the notes in this scale. ___ ![IMG_7472 copy 2.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQme6Q3hYKB3Cp4sDmoWrRRwdpynAVKFhbuQeXyoYk9G7jt/IMG_7472%20copy%202.jpg) This is okay, too! Notice how the middle oval has moved over one white-key to the right. This is a normal suspended chord. Typically in music you will hear the middle note either as the **3rd** note in the scale (previous example) or the **4th** note of the scale (current example). ___ ![IMG_7472.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmeWmupeefi9zDHCemftp5hwy9fqce8jzmxV1byy1fb2Pq/IMG_7472.jpg) *This* is the harmony that we are taught to avoid. We are taught that playing the **3rd** and **4th** notes of the scale at the same time (marked by red ovals) leads an unpleasing sound. ___

Academics say these notes clash with each other; however, I am going to show you two hit songs that break this rule.

___ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utwSrZqiwcE Listen to the turnaround at **1:45** and then again at **2:54** to hear this harmony in action. Ben folds plays a figure that uses these "clashing notes" beautifully. ***Brick*** is Ben Folds Five's biggest hit in the history of their band. ___ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hufU6MIS2vw The Eagles' timeless rendition of ***Seven Bridges Road*** is another prime example of the power of this harmony. Listen carefully to the **low voice** at **0:23** on the word "go," then again on the word "road" at **0:44** ___ ***Seven Bridges Road*** is a fan favorite for Eagles followers. It was originally penned by Steve Young in 1969. Ian Matthews then composed a new arrangement of the song showcasing 5-6 part harmonies. The Eagles later took this exact arrangement and began using it to open their live concerts. It is a perfect song to demonstrate their tightness as a group of singers. ___ The song is still popular today, having just been covered by newcomer band King Calaway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZzvZaEYYBo King Calaway opts to omit the clashing harmony in this recording. The result is a smoother sound, but one with less tension. They are talented singers, but my ear wants to hear that clash! ___ I hope you have enjoyed learning about these two popular songs that break the rules and use the one harmony you must never play in music. I certainly hope **you** don't ever look for a tasteful way to use this harmony in your music ;) ___ ___ This is an original post by @cosmicvibraiton for Steemit on 15 Jan 2020