Finding the Third

The third is the harmony note you'll use 80% of the time in worship. Here's the simple version:

What a third sounds like

Play a C on any instrument. Now play the E right above it. That two-note sound — C and E together — is a third. It's the harmony that sounds like it "belongs." Not too wide, not too close.

3rd above vs. 3rd below

You can sing a third above the melody (higher) or a third below (lower). Both are right — which one you choose depends on where your voice sits.

• Soprano / higher voice: take the third above. You'll be higher than the lead.
• Alto / lower voice: take the third below. You'll be lower.

Finding it in your key

In the key of G major, the notes are: G A B C D E F#

If the lead melody is on B, your third above is D. Your third below is G. You don't need to count semitones — just skip one note in the scale.

The skip rule: in any major key, your harmony third is always "skip one note." If the melody is on note 3, you sing note 5. If the melody is on note 5, you sing note 3 or 7. Always skip one in the scale — that's it.

Practice

Open the free harmonizer tool. Pick the key of G. Select B as your melody note. The tool shows your third above (D) and third below (G). Tap each one to hear it. Then close the tool and try to sing the third from memory.

That's Lesson 1. Next: the fifth, and when you should (and shouldn't) use it.