mc-harmony

Harmonize melodies and upgrade chord progressions using functional harmony and color techniques.

128|16|Updated Sep 17, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/jtydhr88/music-composition-skills --skill mc-harmony-jtydhr88
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: mc-harmony
Source: https://github.com/jtydhr88/music-composition-skills/tree/main/plugins/music-composition/skills/mc-harmony
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/jtydhr88/music-composition-skills --skill mc-harmony-jtydhr88

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve? Choosing chords for a melody and improving bland or overcrowded progressions is hard to do systematically. This Skill provides a measure-by-measure harmonization procedure plus a nine-step reharmonization checklist with an explicit stop rule, so harmony choices stay functional before they become colorful. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Functional Harmonization: Apply the three functions (T/S/D) and three cadence types to pick chords measure by measure for any melody, in major or minor keys. - Nine-Step Reharmonization Checklist: Upgrade a plain progression stepwise (seventh chords, substitutions, secondary dominants, ii-V, tritone substitution, subdominant minor, tensions) with a mandatory "have I overdone it" check. - Symptom-to-Technique Lookup: Map a desired color (wistful, jazzy, driving, chromatic bass line) to specific devices like slash chords, sus4, passing diminished, pedal point, and cliche lines. - Use Case: When filling the harmony fields of an ARR-SPEC for a song, use this Skill to produce both roman numerals and chord letters (a required dual notation) for every section. ## Quick Start Ask the agent to harmonize a given melody in a chosen key and fill in the harmony fields of an ARR-SPEC with both roman numerals and chord letters.

Frequently Asked Questions about mc-harmony

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I choose chords for a melody?▼

Confirm the key and harmonic rhythm first, then list diatonic chord candidates whose chord tones contain each measure's melody notes. Use cadence patterns (T-S-D-T) to arbitrate between candidates, and end the song on the tonic chord.

How to make a boring chord progression more interesting?▼

Apply the nine-step reharmonization checklist in order: seventh chords, substitutions, secondary dominants, ii-V conversion, tritone substitution, subdominant minor, passing diminished and slash chords, then tensions. Always compare against the original and revert if the upgrade is not clearly better.

What chord techniques create a wistful or melancholy feeling?▼

Subdominant minor (IV to IVm6, or borrowed bVImaj7/bVII7) is the primary source of wistfulness, along with IIIm7. For a jazzy color use tensions, chained ii-Vs, and tritone substitution; for chromatic bass lines use slash chords and passing diminished chords.

When should I stop adding chord substitutions?▼

Stop when you cannot articulate why the upgraded version sounds better than the original. The checklist's final step is a mandatory self-check: complexity is a means, not a score, and simple progressions are often the right choice for direct rock or pop.

Does this cover minor key harmonization?▼

Yes, minor keys use the same function table and cadence structures based on harmonic minor, with one critical rule: the V chord must be major or dominant seventh, otherwise the dominant-to-tonic resolution loses its force.

What is the difference between tritone substitution and Neapolitan chords?▼

Both share the bII root but have opposite functions: tritone substitution (bII7) is a dominant-function replacement for V7, while the Neapolitan sixth is a subdominant-function chord used in cadences as a substitute for II. They should not be confused.