Optimal harmonic audiation techniques?

Question

I am trying to learn to audiate harmonies in order to be able to compose without instruments. I can already audiate melodies, but harmony is a real beast. (*Edit: To be clear, I can recognize chords, as well as discern the tones within them, but I cannot synthesize them*). I can just about vaguely hear two tones at the same time; what I hear is devoid of physically heard harmony's richness, unless I have just heard it whereby it is in my short-term memory (though I guess then it is not audiation, but mere repeating of a memory). My main practice technique is simply to painstakingly go through two lines of Bach's chorales, trying to synthesize each harmony. (I of course also conduct general ear training too). I may be improving, but as is common, it is a tremendously slow process, and I am often disheartened by my incompetence. **What other methods would be more efficient, or is it even possible to cultivate it to excellence beyond childhood?**

Answer 1

Your tools for improving this skill are great places to start! I would also suggest audiating if possible with different instruments and sounds which can help create a more substantial basis for audiation. You may also try going to simpler hymns and audiating each part individually a few times before attempting to combine them. My personal audiation skills were a learned habit in adulthood, and although time consuming, I can now audiate most orchestral pieces.

Answer 2

Audiate the voice-leading; you doing two lines in the Bach chorale is a good start. Realize that a harmony is ultimately the sounding of multiple voices, and a harmonic progression is the voice-leading of each of those individual voices happening concurrently.

Don't lose the larger perspective, either: you should have each line in mind as its full melody, rather than approaching it beat-to-beat. We don't hear or think about music from beat-to-beat, we take in the general impression of the line(s). The way that you approach audiating should reflect this, too.

This definitely takes time to be able to audiate, but if you keep at it you'll definitely start to see results. Good luck!