Consonance

Definition

Consonance refers to the harmonious relationship between musical tones, typically perceived as pleasing or stable. This quality is often found in intervals, scales, harmonic progressions, and even in improvisational contexts, where certain combinations of notes create a sense of resolution and balance, enhancing the overall musical experience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Consonant intervals, such as major and minor thirds or perfect fifths, provide a sense of stability and are typically used to create harmonies that sound pleasing.
2. In major and minor scales, consonance occurs when notes align harmonically with the scale's tonic, reinforcing a sense of resolution when returning to this home note.
3. Whole-tone and octatonic scales, while typically featuring more dissonant qualities due to their equal spacing between notes, can still create moments of consonance within specific contexts.
4. In harmonic progression, consonance is often used to resolve tension created by dissonant chords, guiding the listener’s ear back to a satisfying conclusion.
5. During harmonic improvisation, musicians often use consonance to enhance melodic lines, creating a sense of cohesion that resonates well with audiences.

Review Questions

• How do consonant intervals contribute to the overall harmonic structure in music?
  • Consonant intervals play a crucial role in creating harmony within music by providing a stable foundation that listeners find pleasing. For example, when two notes form a major third or perfect fifth interval, they generate a sense of comfort and resolution. This stability allows musicians to build complex harmonic structures while ensuring that the overall sound remains engaging and attractive to the audience.
• Discuss the relationship between consonance and harmonic progression in music composition.
  • Consonance is vital in harmonic progression as it helps to resolve the tension created by dissonant chords. Composers often arrange their progressions to lead from dissonance to consonance, creating a musical journey that evokes emotional responses. This balance between tension and resolution makes harmonic progressions compelling and allows listeners to feel a sense of closure when returning to consonant chords.
• Evaluate how consonance impacts the experience of harmonic improvisation for musicians and their audience.
  • Consonance significantly enhances the experience of harmonic improvisation by providing musicians with a palette of sounds that feel cohesive and satisfying. As improvisers explore melodic ideas, they rely on consonant intervals to create connections between notes, which captivates the audience. The use of consonance helps maintain listener engagement while allowing musicians to express their creativity within a familiar framework that feels harmonious and well-structured.

Related terms

Dissonance: Dissonance is the tension or instability created by certain musical intervals or chords, often perceived as jarring or unresolved when played.

Harmonic Interval: A harmonic interval is the distance between two pitches sounded simultaneously, which can either be consonant or dissonant depending on their relationship.

Tonic: The tonic is the first note of a scale and serves as the home base or point of resolution in tonal music, often associated with consonance.