Many of us like music. Many of us go far beyond that. In my case, I loved it such a lot that I became a musician. I have been one now for over fourty years.
But I often question why I like music so much. I even wonder what it is about a music composition that connects with me. I have studied the inner workings of great music to try and identify just what it is about it that connects with not only me but many billions of other music lovers on the planet.
I have decided it's about Tension and Resolution
Whatever is he talking about you assert?
Well if you look closely at why a musical piece touches us it's because it's creating tension, and resolving that tension, repeatedly through the musical piece.
Take something like Beethoven's 5th symphony, or any great symphony for what it's worth. The best ones are filled with drama and emotion.
There's loud passages and quiet passages.
There's moments when just the flutes and woodwinds are playing some sweet tune.
In the subsequent minute the horns and kettle drums come in and all heck breaks lose.
Likely one of the very best models of a musical piece that creates tension is Ravel's Bolero. We all know the piece because it is so dramatic. If you've forgotten the piece, you may remember it from the bedroom scene in that great picture "10" with Dudley Moore and Bo Derek.
Now you remember.
Anyway this piece slowly builds tension by getting louder and louder as it repeats the basic tune continuously. By the end of the song the volume and tension is so high we can't help but want it to stop... Well maybe not actually stop but at least change. And that is the genius of Ravel after all. We won't stop listening.
How Tension and Resolution Is Made
In music the player has many tactics at his or her disposal to create this tension and resolution.
First there's the harmonic tendencies of the song.
If you know a little music theory, you know that in any given key there are 8 notes... At least there are 8 chromatic notes. These notes are combined into what are called chords. So there are a likely eight chords that may be made in any specific key (essentially there are plenty more but stay with me for a second).
Each one of these chords "moves" us through varying degrees of tension and resolution in a musical piece. With the chord built around the first note of the scale creating the resolution. It is referred to as the tonic chord.
The chord built round the 5th note of the scale creates the most tension and practically begs to return to the tonic chord to resolve the emotion.
The other chords all add to the varying degrees of tension and resolution made by the writer of the song.
Alternative Routes To Form Tension and Resolution
Besides harmonic techniques the volume, or loudness, of the various parts of a composition can frequently be used to create tension and resolution. From the Bolero example above, you can see volume can have a powerful dramatic and emotional effect on your reactions to the music.
So a great writer or composer uses these and other musical methods to move us. And, it's these powerful emotions that we feel because of the tension and resolution made in the music that makes it moving to us.
OK now you know why you adore music so much. Aren't you glad you asked?
But I often question why I like music so much. I even wonder what it is about a music composition that connects with me. I have studied the inner workings of great music to try and identify just what it is about it that connects with not only me but many billions of other music lovers on the planet.
I have decided it's about Tension and Resolution
Whatever is he talking about you assert?
Well if you look closely at why a musical piece touches us it's because it's creating tension, and resolving that tension, repeatedly through the musical piece.
Take something like Beethoven's 5th symphony, or any great symphony for what it's worth. The best ones are filled with drama and emotion.
There's loud passages and quiet passages.
There's moments when just the flutes and woodwinds are playing some sweet tune.
In the subsequent minute the horns and kettle drums come in and all heck breaks lose.
Likely one of the very best models of a musical piece that creates tension is Ravel's Bolero. We all know the piece because it is so dramatic. If you've forgotten the piece, you may remember it from the bedroom scene in that great picture "10" with Dudley Moore and Bo Derek.
Now you remember.
Anyway this piece slowly builds tension by getting louder and louder as it repeats the basic tune continuously. By the end of the song the volume and tension is so high we can't help but want it to stop... Well maybe not actually stop but at least change. And that is the genius of Ravel after all. We won't stop listening.
How Tension and Resolution Is Made
In music the player has many tactics at his or her disposal to create this tension and resolution.
First there's the harmonic tendencies of the song.
If you know a little music theory, you know that in any given key there are 8 notes... At least there are 8 chromatic notes. These notes are combined into what are called chords. So there are a likely eight chords that may be made in any specific key (essentially there are plenty more but stay with me for a second).
Each one of these chords "moves" us through varying degrees of tension and resolution in a musical piece. With the chord built around the first note of the scale creating the resolution. It is referred to as the tonic chord.
The chord built round the 5th note of the scale creates the most tension and practically begs to return to the tonic chord to resolve the emotion.
The other chords all add to the varying degrees of tension and resolution made by the writer of the song.
Alternative Routes To Form Tension and Resolution
Besides harmonic techniques the volume, or loudness, of the various parts of a composition can frequently be used to create tension and resolution. From the Bolero example above, you can see volume can have a powerful dramatic and emotional effect on your reactions to the music.
So a great writer or composer uses these and other musical methods to move us. And, it's these powerful emotions that we feel because of the tension and resolution made in the music that makes it moving to us.
OK now you know why you adore music so much. Aren't you glad you asked?
About the Author:
Rick Honeyboy Hart is a seasoned blues guitar player. He's played in many bands over the years and now teaches other guitarists learn about tension and resolution on his internet site www.BluesGuitarInsider.com
