和声(わせい)

わせい
noun
harmony (music); chords
formalwrittenmusic
1. harmony; chords; harmonic structure
The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords, and the study of how chords progress and relate to each other. The standard Japanese term for Western musical harmony as a theoretical discipline.
和声(わせい)を学(まな)ぶ。
To study harmony.
この曲(きょく)は和声(わせい)の進行(しんこう)が美(うつく)しい。
This piece has beautiful harmonic progressions.
音楽大学(おんがくだいがく)では和声(わせい)、対位法(たいいほう)、楽式論(がくしきろん)などの理論(りろん)科目(かもく)を必修(ひっしゅう)として履修(りしゅう)する。
At music universities, theory subjects such as harmony, counterpoint, and musical form are required courses.

Compound of 和(わ) ('harmony; accord') and 声(せい) ('voice; sound'). The standard Japanese translation of the Western music theory concept of 'harmony.' The authoritative textbook 和声(わせい) — 理論(りろん)と実習(じっしゅう) ('Harmony: Theory and Practice') by Shimofusa Kan'ichi and others has been the standard text in Japanese music education for decades.

Usage

Used primarily in music education and theory. In casual conversation about music, ハーモニー (the loanword from English) is more commonly used. 和声(わせい) is the formal, academic term.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • ハーモニー: harmony — the loanword; used more broadly and casually
  • 旋律(せんりつ): melody — the linear succession of notes, as opposed to the vertical structure of harmony
  • 対位法(たいいほう): counterpoint — the technique of combining independent melodic lines; a related but distinct discipline from harmony
  • 和音(わおん): chord — a specific combination of simultaneous notes; the building blocks that 和声(わせい) studies

Related Words

Compare: ハーモニー (harmony)
Compare: 旋律(せんりつ) (melody)
Compare: 和音(わおん) (chord)
Related: 音楽理論(おんがくりろん) (music theory)
general
Added 2026.4.20 18:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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