Comparative study of translated resources of tonal harmony teaching in Iran Case study: The harmony books of Dubovsky et al., Walter Piston and Richard Stohr

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Iran university of Art, music department, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of World Music Playing, Faculty of Music, University of Art, Tehran, Iran.

10.30480/dam.2025.5580.1941

Abstract

In this research, three Harmony books have been examined, the books by Iosif Ignatovich Dubovski et al., Walter Piston and Richard Stohr, selected from Russian, American and German educational schools. These works have been translated into Farsi and are known as widely used sources of tonal harmony education in Iran. The main question of the research is to find the unique features of each of the sources of harmony, as well as the similarities and differences of the mentioned sources in the way of presenting the topics. In this research, a comparison of the way of organizing the content based on the general and common topics of harmony in all three sources has been done. Based on the number of examples and the diversity of composers, examples of sources are shown with a comparative chart. The type and approach of the exercises in each of the books have also been compared. The findings of the research show that the sources have been compiled according to the specific approach of the authors and their school of music, and have special features in presenting the rules of harmony, at the same time, they have similarities in the way of presenting harmony topics. The distinctive feature of Dubovski is its structure, because chords are introduced based on their role in classical harmony. In addition, it pays special attention to the harmonic and melodic connection, as well as dealing with the harmony of sentences and periods in each chapter. Soprano melody harmonization exercises are considered from the beginning of the book. Piston has introduced all the degrees from the beginning and pays less attention to the function of the chords. This book places less importance on the design and engineering of harmony by the student. Piston has used more examples than other sources. In Stohr’s book, the way of introducing chords is similar to Piston, but he has interpreted some topics like Dubovski, such as the diminished seventh. In Stohr’s book, there is no index subject except the general topics of common harmony in all three sources.

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Volume 16, Issue 42
September 2025
Pages 5-24

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