Harmony

Definition

Harmony refers to the combination of different musical notes played or sung simultaneously to produce a pleasing sound. It adds depth and richness to music, often creating a sense of mood or emotion that complements the melody. In the context of Impressionism, harmony becomes a vital tool for composers to evoke specific atmospheres and feelings, moving away from traditional harmonic structures to explore new sounds and relationships between chords.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Debussy often utilized non-traditional chords and scales, leading to unique harmonic progressions that created atmospheric effects in his music.
2. Ravel explored extended harmonies, using chromaticism and modal interchange to develop rich textures and colors in his compositions.
3. Impressionist harmony frequently incorporates parallel chords, which break away from functional harmony and traditional chord progressions.
4. Both Debussy and Ravel emphasized the importance of timbre and color in their harmonic choices, reflecting their desire to paint musical pictures rather than adhere strictly to established forms.
5. The use of ambiguous tonalities in Impressionism allowed composers like Debussy and Ravel to blur the lines between major and minor scales, creating a fluid sense of harmony that matched the visual art movement of the time.

Review Questions

• How did Debussy's approach to harmony differ from traditional Western classical music?
  • Debussy's approach to harmony was revolutionary compared to traditional Western classical music. He moved away from established harmonic progressions, focusing instead on non-functional harmonies that created an ethereal quality in his music. This exploration included the use of whole-tone scales, pentatonic scales, and ambiguous tonalities that evoked a sense of fluidity and atmosphere rather than strict resolution.
• In what ways did Ravel's use of harmony contribute to the overall impressionistic style of his compositions?
  • Ravel's use of harmony was key to shaping the impressionistic style found in his works. He employed chromaticism and complex chord structures, often incorporating modes and altered chords to create rich textures. His innovative harmonic choices allowed him to evoke vivid imagery and emotions, aligning closely with the visual art movement by emphasizing color and atmosphere over traditional melodic lines.
• Evaluate the significance of harmonic exploration in Impressionism and its impact on the evolution of modern music.
  • The harmonic exploration in Impressionism marked a pivotal shift in music composition that had lasting impacts on modern music. By breaking free from conventional harmonic rules, composers like Debussy and Ravel opened doors for new styles and techniques that prioritized mood and expression over formality. This freedom led to various movements in 20th-century music, including jazz and minimalism, which embraced complex harmonies and encouraged further experimentation, ultimately reshaping the landscape of Western music.

Related terms

Dissonance:

Dissonance occurs when two or more notes are played together in a way that creates tension or an unstable sound, often resolving to consonance for emotional effect.

Tonal Center: A tonal center is the main note or chord around which a piece of music is structured, providing a sense of home base for melodies and harmonies.

Modal Harmony: Modal harmony uses scales known as modes instead of traditional major and minor scales, allowing composers to create different emotional effects and colors in their music.