Tendency Tones

Definition

Tendency tones are specific notes within a musical context that naturally lead to or resolve into other tones, typically based on their function within a harmonic progression. These notes create a sense of movement and expectation in music, guiding the listener’s ear toward resolution and adding emotional depth to the harmony. Understanding tendency tones is crucial for effective chord connections, as they help establish a sense of direction and coherence in musical phrases.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tendency tones often include notes such as the leading tone, which tends to resolve up to the tonic, and the fifth scale degree, which resolves down to the tonic.
2. In a major key, the leading tone (7th scale degree) creates a strong pull towards the tonic (1st scale degree), making it one of the most important tendency tones.
3. In chord progressions, tendency tones enhance the emotional expression by creating anticipation and satisfaction upon resolution.
4. When connecting chords in root position, recognizing tendency tones allows for smoother transitions and more cohesive musical lines.
5. The presence of tendency tones can be manipulated for compositional effect, providing tension that can be resolved in creative ways.

Review Questions

• How do tendency tones influence the way chords are connected in root position?
  • Tendency tones influence chord connections by creating expectations for how certain notes will resolve. For instance, when transitioning between chords in root position, identifying leading tones can guide composers to structure their progressions so that these tones lead naturally to their resolutions. This creates smoother and more effective transitions that enhance the overall musical flow.
• Discuss how understanding tendency tones can enhance emotional expression in music composition.
  • Understanding tendency tones allows composers to harness tension and resolution, vital elements in emotional expression. By strategically using these tones, composers can build anticipation through dissonance that resolves into consonance, which evokes strong feelings in listeners. This technique can help convey different moods and enhance the narrative quality of a piece.
• Evaluate the role of tendency tones in both diatonic harmony and broader compositional techniques.
  • Tendency tones play a pivotal role not just in diatonic harmony but also across various compositional techniques. In diatonic harmony, they help establish strong relationships between chords and lead to effective resolutions. In broader contexts, understanding these tones enables composers to innovate with tension-building techniques while still adhering to traditional harmonic structures. This duality allows for both adherence to classical forms and creative explorations beyond them.

Related terms

Diatonic Harmony: A system of harmony that uses notes only from a specific scale or key, emphasizing the relationships between the tones within that scale.

Chord Progression: A sequence of chords played in succession, forming the harmonic foundation of a piece of music and creating movement through tendency tones.

Resolution: The process by which a dissonant chord or note moves to a consonant chord or note, often involving tendency tones that create an expectation for this movement.