How to Start Harmonizing: Learn to Sing Thirds Easily

Have you ever wanted to sing harmonies with your favorite songs — or with friends — but had no idea where to begin? Good news: harmonizing is not as mysterious as it seems. With a few simple exercises, you can start singing harmonies today — even if you’ve never done it before.

This is part one of a two-part series on harmonizing. (Part two is coming soon, so stay tuned!)

What Does It Mean to Harmonize?

Harmonizing means singing at the same time as another voice, but on different notes. Instead of copying the melody exactly, you sing a supporting line that complements it. Together, the voices create richer, fuller music.

The easiest way to start is by singing in thirds.

Step 1: Learn the Major Scale

To harmonize, you need to be familiar with the major scale. If you know the “Do–Re–Mi” song, you already know the structure:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8

Most songs you listen to are built around this scale, so even if you’ve never studied music theory, your ear already recognizes it.

Step 2: Harmonize in Thirds

Here’s how harmonizing in thirds works:

• Take a melody.

• Start your harmony a third above the melody note.

• Move in the same direction as the melody (up when it goes up, down when it goes down).

Example:

• If the melody is 1–2–1, the harmony will be 3–4–3.

• If the melody starts on 3–4–5, the harmony starts on 5–6–7.

It’s like shadowing the melody, but always a third above within the scale.

Step 3: Practice Simple Exercises

Let’s try a simple call-and-response exercise:

1. I sing: 1–2–1

2. You sing: 3–4–3 at the same time.

Switch roles too: you sing the melody while I harmonize. This helps you feel how the voices blend.

Pro tip: slow it down. Take two beats per note if needed until your ear and voice catch on.

Step 4: Apply It to a Real Song

Exercises are great, but harmonizing really comes alive with real music. One of my favorite beginner-friendly songs for learning parallel thirds is “Falling Slowly” from the movie Once.

Why?

• The melody is simple and smooth.

• There are no huge jumps.

• The harmony sits perfectly in thirds above the melody.

Try singing along with the melody line first, then add your harmony above it.

The Key to Harmonizing

The most important part of harmonizing is knowing the original melody really well. If you don’t understand the direction of the melody, your harmony will get lost. Start simple, build slowly, and keep training your ear with the major scale.

Final Thoughts

Harmonizing is one of the most fun and rewarding parts of singing — and it’s 100% learnable. Begin with simple exercises in thirds, then apply them to easy songs. Over time, your ear will naturally recognize where the harmony should go.

✨ If you’d like to go deeper and build a strong foundation for your voice, check out my 10-week one-on-one coaching program. With a complete system (not just YouTube bits and pieces), you’ll save months — even years — of trial and error.

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