Dissonance

Definition

Dissonance refers to a combination of tones that creates a sense of tension or instability, often leading to a desire for resolution. It plays a crucial role in tonal music by adding complexity and emotional depth to harmony, which can be especially relevant in chord structures, melodic progressions, and the overall musical narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dissonance is essential for creating emotional contrast in music, as it evokes feelings of unrest or conflict that can make resolutions more impactful.
2. In triads and seventh chords, certain intervals (like minor seconds or tritones) are considered dissonant and typically need to resolve to consonant intervals.
3. Dissonance can be used intentionally in four-part writing to create effective tension between voices, leading to interesting harmonic developments.
4. Suspensions and retardations utilize dissonance by holding a note from one chord into the next, creating a momentary tension before resolving into consonance.
5. When using pedal points or ostinatos, dissonance can arise as the pedal tone interacts with changing harmonies, adding layers of complexity to the texture.

Review Questions

• How does dissonance contribute to emotional expression in music?
  • Dissonance creates tension that can evoke strong emotions and responses from listeners. This tension contrasts with moments of consonance, where stability and resolution occur. By strategically using dissonance, composers can craft musical narratives that guide listeners through feelings of conflict and resolution, enhancing the overall emotional impact of their compositions.
• Discuss the relationship between dissonance and voice leading in four-part writing.
  • In four-part writing, dissonance is vital for effective voice leading. Composers often use dissonant intervals to create motion between voices and draw attention to specific harmonic shifts. Properly resolving these dissonances is essential for maintaining smooth transitions while enhancing the overall harmonic richness of the music.
• Evaluate how the use of dissonance in pedal points influences harmonic progression and texture.
  • The use of dissonance in conjunction with pedal points adds depth and complexity to harmonic progressions. As a pedal point remains constant while harmonies change around it, dissonant intervals can emerge, creating tension that needs resolution. This interplay not only enriches the texture but also intensifies the musical narrative by guiding listeners through a dynamic journey of tension and release.

Related terms

Consonance:

Consonance is the harmony or agreement of tones that sound stable and pleasant together, often providing resolution after dissonance.

Tension and Release: This concept describes the musical phenomenon where dissonance creates tension, which is then resolved through consonance, enhancing the emotional impact of the music.

Voice Leading:

Voice leading is the practice of moving individual melodic lines smoothly from one note to another, often utilizing dissonance to create motion and interest in harmonic progressions.