Quartal harmony

Definition

Quartal harmony refers to a system of building chords using intervals of fourths rather than the traditional thirds. This approach creates a more open and modern sound, often used in various genres like jazz and contemporary classical music. By stacking fourths, quartal harmony offers composers and improvisers unique tonal possibilities that differ from conventional triadic structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Quartal harmony emphasizes the use of perfect fourths, allowing for more complex and modern harmonic textures.
2. It is often associated with the works of 20th-century composers like Claude Debussy and jazz musicians such as McCoy Tyner.
3. In quartal harmony, chords can be constructed from multiple stacked fourths, which creates a sense of openness and ambiguity.
4. Improvisation using quartal harmony encourages musicians to explore new melodic ideas that diverge from traditional triadic patterns.
5. This harmonic technique is often used in modal jazz, providing a platform for improvisers to navigate through less conventional harmonic structures.

Review Questions

• How does quartal harmony differ from traditional harmonic practices in terms of chord construction?
  • Quartal harmony differs from traditional practices by building chords using intervals of fourths instead of thirds. While traditional harmony relies heavily on tertian structures, creating triads and seventh chords, quartal harmony introduces a fresh approach where chords are formed by stacking fourths. This results in a more open sound, providing new avenues for exploration in both composition and improvisation.
• Discuss how quartal harmony influences improvisation in modern jazz settings.
  • Quartal harmony greatly influences improvisation in modern jazz by offering musicians alternative harmonic frameworks to work within. Instead of adhering to standard chord progressions based on tertian structures, improvisers can explore melodic lines that interact with the open and ambiguous sound produced by quartal chords. This freedom allows for a more creative expression and encourages players to think outside traditional harmonic boundaries.
• Evaluate the impact of quartal harmony on the development of contemporary music genres.
  • The impact of quartal harmony on contemporary music genres has been profound, reshaping how musicians approach harmony and chord progressions. By moving away from traditional triadic structures, composers and improvisers have embraced the complexities offered by quartal harmonies, leading to innovations in genres such as jazz, film scores, and avant-garde classical music. This shift has encouraged a broader exploration of tonal possibilities and has helped pave the way for new musical styles that prioritize texture and atmosphere over conventional harmonic resolutions.

Related terms

Tertian Harmony: A system of harmony based on the stacking of thirds to create chords, forming the foundation of much Western classical music.

Voicing:

The arrangement of notes in a chord, determining how the chord sounds when played, especially in terms of spacing and order.

Modal Jazz: A style of jazz that emphasizes modes rather than chord progressions as the basis for improvisation, often incorporating quartal harmony.