Dissonances

Definition

Dissonances are musical intervals that create a sense of tension or instability, contrasting with consonances, which provide resolution and rest. They are essential in harmony and voice leading, as they drive musical progression and evoke emotional responses. Dissonances often require resolution to consonance, playing a crucial role in creating movement within harmonic structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dissonances can be classified into different types, such as minor seconds, major sevenths, and augmented fourths, each with its own level of tension.
2. The resolution of dissonance is typically to a consonant interval, which creates a satisfying sense of closure in music.
3. Dissonances are frequently used in various musical genres to build drama and complexity, making them essential for emotional expression.
4. Composers often employ dissonance strategically within harmonic progressions to heighten interest and lead the listener's ear toward resolution.
5. In traditional Western music theory, the rules of dissonance treatment have evolved, with contemporary styles allowing for more freedom in their use.

Review Questions

• How do dissonances function in the context of harmony and voice leading?
  • Dissonances play a crucial role in harmony and voice leading by creating tension that demands resolution. They add complexity to musical structures, guiding the listener's ear from unstable intervals to stable consonances. Effective voice leading ensures smooth transitions between these tensions and resolutions, making dissonances a fundamental tool for composers to create engaging musical narratives.
• Analyze the emotional effects that dissonances can have on listeners when used effectively in music composition.
  • Dissonances can evoke strong emotional responses from listeners by introducing feelings of tension or discomfort that mirror complex human experiences. When used effectively, they enhance dramatic moments within a piece, creating an expectation for resolution that heightens the overall impact. This manipulation of tension through dissonance contributes significantly to the emotional depth of a composition.
• Evaluate how the treatment of dissonance has changed over time in various musical styles and its implications for contemporary composers.
  • The treatment of dissonance has evolved significantly from the strict rules of classical harmony to the more fluid approaches found in modern music. Early music often required strict resolutions of dissonances to consonant intervals, while contemporary styles embrace dissonance as a legitimate and expressive choice without the need for immediate resolution. This shift allows contemporary composers greater freedom to explore complex emotional landscapes, challenging traditional notions of harmony and expanding the expressive capabilities of music.

Related terms

Consonance:

A harmonious combination of notes that sounds stable and agreeable, providing a sense of rest in music.

Tension and Release: A musical principle where dissonances create tension that resolves into consonances, enhancing emotional impact and musical narrative.

Voice Leading:

The practice of composing smooth transitions between individual musical lines or voices, particularly how dissonances are approached and resolved.