MusicXML 4.1 Draft
MusicXML 4.1 Draft > MusicXML Reference > Elements > The <harmony> element

The <harmony> element

Parent elements: <measure> (partwise)<part> (timewise)

The <harmony> element represents harmony analysis, including chord symbols in popular music as well as functional harmony analysis in classical music.

The print-object attribute controls whether or not anything is printed due to the <harmony> element. The print suggestion attributes set the defaults for the harmony, but individual elements can override this with their own values.

A <harmony> element can contain many stacked chords (e.g. V of II). Each individual chord including a required <kind> element is referred to as a harmony-chord. Stacked chords or secondary functions are represented using a sequence of harmony-chords. For example, V of II would be represented by a harmony-chord with a 5 numeral followed by a harmony-chord with a 2 numeral.

A <root> is a pitch name like C, D, E, while a <numeral> is a scale degree like 1, 2, 3. The <root> element is generally used with pop chord symbols, while the <numeral> element is generally used with classical functional harmony and Nashville numbers. It is an either/or choice to avoid data inconsistency. The <function> element, which represents Roman numerals with roman numeral text, has been deprecated as of MusicXML 4.0.

Content

In this order

Attributes

Name Type Required?(Default) Description
arrangement harmony-arrangement No Specifies how multiple harmony-chords are arranged relative to each other. Harmony-chords with vertical arrangement are separated by horizontal lines. Harmony-chords with diagonal or horizontal arrangement are separated by diagonal lines or slashes.
Specifies how multiple harmony-chords are arranged relative to each other. Harmony-chords with vertical arrangement are separated by horizontal lines. Harmony-chords with diagonal or horizontal arrangement are separated by diagonal lines or slashes.
color color No Indicates the color of an element.
Indicates the color of an element.
default-x tenths No Changes the computation of the default horizontal position. The origin is changed relative to the left-hand side of the note or the musical position within the bar. Positive x is right and negative x is left.

This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the <offset> element. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both features should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy.
Changes the computation of the default horizontal position. The origin is changed relative to the left-hand side of the note or the musical position within the bar. Positive x is right and negative x is left.

This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the <offset> element. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both features should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy.
default-y tenths No Changes the computation of the default vertical position. The origin is changed relative to the top line of the staff. Positive y is up and negative y is down.

This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the placement attribute. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both attributes should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy.
Changes the computation of the default vertical position. The origin is changed relative to the top line of the staff. Positive y is up and negative y is down.

This attribute provides higher-resolution positioning data than the placement attribute. Applications reading a MusicXML file that can understand both attributes should generally rely on this attribute for its greater accuracy.
font-family font-family No A comma-separated list of font names.
A comma-separated list of font names.
font-size font-size No One of the CSS sizes or a numeric point size.
One of the CSS sizes or a numeric point size.
font-style font-style No Normal or italic style.
Normal or italic style.
font-weight font-weight No Normal or bold weight.
Normal or bold weight.
id xs:ID No Specifies an ID that is unique to the entire document.
Specifies an ID that is unique to the entire document.
placement above-below No Indicates whether something is above or below another element, such as a note or a notation.
Indicates whether something is above or below another element, such as a note or a notation.
print-frame yes-no No Specifies the printing of a frame or fretboard diagram.
Specifies the printing of a frame or fretboard diagram.
print-object yes-no No Specifies whether or not to print an object. It is yes if not specified.
Specifies whether or not to print an object. It is yes if not specified.
relative-x tenths No Changes the horizontal position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-x attribute. Positive x is right and negative x is left. It should be interpreted in the context of the <offset> element or directive attribute if those are present.
Changes the horizontal position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-x attribute. Positive x is right and negative x is left. It should be interpreted in the context of the <offset> element or directive attribute if those are present.
relative-y tenths No Changes the vertical position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-y attribute. Positive y is up and negative y is down. It should be interpreted in the context of the placement attribute if that is present.
Changes the vertical position relative to the default position, either as computed by the individual program, or as overridden by the default-y attribute. Positive y is up and negative y is down. It should be interpreted in the context of the placement attribute if that is present.
system system-relation No Distinguishes elements that are associated with a system rather than the particular part where the element appears.
Distinguishes elements that are associated with a system rather than the particular part where the element appears.
type harmony-type No If there are alternate harmonies possible, this can be specified using multiple <harmony> elements differentiated by type. Explicit harmonies have all note present in the music; implied have some notes missing but implied; alternate represents alternate analyses.
If there are alternate harmonies possible, this can be specified using multiple <harmony> elements differentiated by type. Explicit harmonies have all note present in the music; implied have some notes missing but implied; alternate represents alternate analyses.

Examples

This element is used in the following examples:

<bass-alter><bass-separator><bass-step><degree-type><degree-value><fingering> (Frame)<fret> (Frame)<inversion><kind><numeral-alter><numeral-key><numeral-root><root-alter><root-step>Tutorial: Chord Symbols