Aaron Rabushka wrote:

>A long time ago I got into it with a theory teacher over the Bach
>F-major invention.  As this begins with a melodic (= horizontal) motif
>that outlines the F major triad with no verticalities I contended (and
>contend) that there is no harmony at that point.  Every one else in the
>class insisted that there was.  Now I clearly hear a tonic triad, yet it
>is definitely in the realm of melody rather than harmony.

Maybe this is a stupid assertion, but it *can* be *both* harmony and
melody.  The melodic line is suggesting (or in this case, wacking us over
the head with) the harmonic content.  If you play a single-line instrument,
as I do (for those of you who don't know, I play flute and a little piano),
you have to learn to infer the harmony from the melody.  In this piece at
that point in the music, it's the only thing going on.

-Lindsey Orcutt
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