Use Of Dissonance, Chromatic And Harmonic Movement

Hi all!

I wanted to speak my mind on the practice, and practical use of harmony and dissonance, linked with musical philosophy:

For me music is an tool to express feelings, and the tools for this is; harmony, rhythm and melody. For me music as all life have to follow the rules of the cosmos. There is tension and there is calm. Like there is always calm after a storm. My philosophy is if you have a clear harmony in your music, the listener will immediately notice when something "disturbing" is happening. This is why i write in the baroque style, and find its philosophy the most suited for what, and in what manner i want to express.

I have seen many composers adding chromatic passages, passing notes, dissonances etc, and they, from my point of view has to much of it. In fact, the only tools we got as composers is rhythm, melody and harmony to express music that other people can listen to, if the melody is a whistle blowing or a man barking, its still in some way a melody and then automatically has a harmony and a rhythm. If the music is full of chromatic, and what i like to call "uncontrolled dissonances" who would ever know when the composer is expressing a powerful, or calm statement. For me this breaks the laws of physics, the are not storms all the time. Balance has to be the center of the composition, and they we will all know when something that breaks with the center.

I think this is a very important concept, that a composer should keep in mind. Like the affects, chromatic passages describes something. Many composers are just adding passing notes and chromatic, " this sounds nice" / i like "advanced" harmony. The tools should be used as expression, not because its nice. Music should, form my point of view have a clear meaning, or a clear mood. Music shall ignite the listeners soul. As Martin Luther said; "music is the most important thing , its gives people contact with the divine". I believe we are a part of the universe, so we have to offer music that people can understand and feel. All life is bound to the rules of physics, so if we composers ignore that, and just use tension for no end, we fail those we should give pleasure.

Dissonance:

Is tension, and tension should be resolved, its unnatural when tension is unresolved. I like to think of dissonances as waves in the ocean, the wave comes, and resolves. To many are to focused on "advanced" harmony. One can use very simple and basic harmonic patters and still have dissonances that gives color and meaning to the listener. Many composer lack the mastery of traditional harmony, they know of it, have done some exercises, but that is mostly it. If you don't master the basics 100% you will, sad to say write  unnatural dissonances and harmony. Dissonance is a great tool to express, two violins playing a second and then resolves in a slow movement will sound beautiful. Dissonance is what makes the music, but it have to be treated in a natural way.

Chromatic:

To me, it looks like; the more chromatic you use, the better are you as composer. And I really believe many think this way. "look how advanced this composition is, many flats and sharps". Well, the truth is there is nothing that is easier then a chromatic passage. Its has very few ways to go from a functional harmonic view, as long as  you use chords, there are a very limited options before it sounds unnatural. To use controlled chromatic is advanced, to know where to modulate, where to use a diminished. But then again, we are back to the rules of physics. A leading tone creates motion, motion is just another word for tension. As the leading tone creates tension, we expect it to be resolved. If you have a chromatic passage in the middle of a piece that has very little chromatic in he beginning or the end, the chromatic passage gives you a great opportunity for expression. But again, it must not be overused, for you as a composer, or in a particular piece. If you are a composer who rarely use chromatic passages, those who know your works will understand, "oh this is something way different, this must be something special". Like in the affects, chromatic passages symbolizes mans descend to hell, a upward passage to heaven etc.  The point is, if one uses the tools of music wisely, you will a better chance of people understanding your music and what state of mind or feeling your are going to express.

Harmonic movement:

Harmonies with no direction, from my point of view will give the listener a chaotic experience, again I refer to the laws of physics. A chord but it self, is noting, but if you add a new chord, your are moving in a direction, (tension) the movement form your center (referring to tonality, the rules of the cosmos does not apply to atonal techniques) will suggest that you at some point return, or make a new center. (the scale in western music is bound by a return to your staring position). This is all about resolving tension, and without harmonic direction you will present something that breaks with the rules of the universe. To have a unnatural progression, or a very "sharp" progression could be useful tool for expression, if you rarely do it, people would understand the effect. Bach is a very good example for harmonic movement, Bach is very advanced, almost modern sometimes, but if you take away the passing notes and dominants, you see that is all perfectly build on the common principles of the baroque era,(I IV V) Which is natural for the common ear in the western part of the world, and is based on the natural "rules" of tension and movement.

Why do I talk so much about the rules of physics?

I think its very important to have music that is organic and natural. We should not go against nature. Humans are adaptive beings . We can learn to be comfortable with almost every situation, one example is smoking, first time you do it, your body says. "NO!" and you cough, but after a while, you have gone against your nature and made your body dependent on poisoning itself. The same goes for unnatural music, you have to expose yourself to it, and with time it will be natural for you.

But the fact is you have gone against your nature (because cultural heritage affects the human DNA)  those who are born in other cultures have other traditions, but still is unresolved dissonance, unnatural, because there is no tension in the universe that stays unresolved).

So, what I'm trying  to say is; be mindful of how you use the compositional tools, maybe you have given this much thought

and if not, I hope I gave you something to chew on ;)

Merry Christmas to you all!

SimenN

You speak of both the cosmos and physics...but, you ignore the rest of the universe.  How do the other planets, and stars (suns/moons) fit in to this, or quite literally the general laws of physics?  They don't. 

Besides, I don't agree.  Some things are -constantly- in motion...until they stop.  From a distance something can look still, or dead - but under a microscope you find it is violently in motion.  Energies are at work, that you are unaware of...So, what if a composer who, too, wants to express 'feeling', or symbolize the human, or non-human 'experience' is using a different lens than you - by your account, you say he is wrong and is insufficient, or abusing his tools, or anything else - but he sees things differently than you...luckily, not everyone shares your view, and his art will appeal to others, as well.

The entire universe is ruled by the laws of physics, one example is the cosmological constant. The sun consist  primarily of hydrogen and helium. So the same rules apply in this galaxy as all the others. Constantly in motion yes, but they stop. The point is that tension is always resolved. That is a fact. Ask yourself: when you write something a chord progression, is this natural? and if yes, why? if you relate yourself to the cosmos you can find out if its natural.

Why does the V lead to I? natural is it not? the tension is relieved. The point is, dissonance IS tension, no way you can make it feel like its resolved. and if its tensions means that it will have to move in a natural away to its resolved. like a domino board. You cant start the domino, and then jump have a couple of domino standing, if one fall, they all fall. The energy from the first goes in to the second and so on. Same with dissonance. 

Damn Bulgarian country folk, always breaking the laws of physics!

The same goes for unnatural music, you have to expose yourself to it, and with time it will be natural for you

But the fact is you have gone against your nature (because cultural heritage affects the human DNA)  those who are born in other cultures have other traditions, but still is unresolved dissonance, unnatural, because there is no tension in the universe that stays unresolved).

Already given you the explenation

What is "natural" music? What is "unnatural" music? Have you ever heard a major triad repeated in periodic durations out in nature?

I only ever use I, vi, IV, and V (in that order). No flats

What is "natural" music? What is "unnatural" music?

Depends on what part of the world you are from, in which culture you are born. Organic life is bound to the rules of physics, all we do, speak, eat move breathe. Unnatural is what breaks form the the universal principles. I believe, if you are to converse with organic life on a deeper level you need to use the same language. (talking about western culture, this is all about western culture)

Depends on what part of the world you are from, in which culture you are born. Organic life is bound to the rules of physics, all we do, speak, eat move breathe. Unnatural is what breaks form the the universal principles. I believe, if you are to converse with organic life on a deeper level you need to use the same language. (talking about western culture, this is all about western culture)

You're contradicting yourself: first you said that there is an idea of "universal" consonance and dissonance which different cultures either adhere to or ignore. Now you're saying that the idea of dissonance and consonance are relative?

You're contradicting yourself: first you said that there is an idea of "universal" consonance and dissonance which different cultures either adhere to or ignore. Now you're saying that the idea of dissonance and consonance are relative?

No, unresolved dissonance IS unnatural, but some in some cultures its natural (for them), they have learned it to be natural, as i have learn my body to be addicted to cigarettes (both is unnatural)

No, unresolved dissonance IS unnatural, but some in some cultures its natural (for them), they have learned it to be natural, as i have learn my body to be addicted to cigarettes (both is unnatural)

What is dissonance even, to begin with? And you say cultures "learn" to view dissonance as natural. You're implying that all people at birth think view your perception of dissonance to be "natural" and then through exposure, defy this?

Tension

Meh...it's all an illusion anyways - do what you want.  But, you just said that this only applies to western music...and yet you're talking about 'universal truths'...and that, well, other cultures must not be communicating with the 'deeper reality' becase their ways are different.  Kind of insulting...when they feel deeply for it.

Tension

And what is tension? You have to be more specific.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tension_%28physics%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tension_(physics)

 Yes, but how does this relate to tones? To music?

posting on the internet is pretty unnatural, too. if god wanted us to post on the internet, he would have put a modem in the garden of eden Q.E.D.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound

Music is sound, how do you hear that a instrument need tuning? dissonance (tension) two tones with different herz that dont fit well

One guy's definition of tension is that guy's definition. 

You're saying 'droning' music is unnatural...Or overtone music...and these are used to have deep experiences, and positive change...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound

 

Music is sound, how do you hear that a instrument need tuning? dissonance (tension) two tones with different herz that dont fit well

Then by your definition of 'dissonance': every single composition you have ever written is dissonant and full of 'unresolved' dissonances. The only interval in equal temperament which conforms to the overtone series is the octave, so unless your music consists entirely of octaves and no other interval, it is 'dissonant' (by your definition).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound

 

Music is sound, how do you hear that a instrument need tuning? dissonance (tension) two tones with different herz that dont fit well

"don't fit well"...for the purpose of that moment in that particular type of music...maybe...but, if my intentions are different, it may be better for me, as an artist, to keep them .

Aren't some things that people learn to like good?  For instance, sometimes people don't understand the 'beauty' of 'classical' orchestral music...until they 'learn' to like it, subjecting themselves to it for long enough.

Any acoustical theories about music produced by real instruments must take into account timbre and register. Interval classes are an abstraction, and we receive the rules governing counterpoint, etc. by tradition.  Also, as Schoenberg observed, consonance/dissonance form a continuum, rather than a strict dichotomy. Furthermore, context is important in governing whether an interval feels dissonant or not

Then by your definition of 'dissonance', every single composition you have ever written is dissonant and full of 'unresolved' dissonances. The only interval in equal temperament which conforms to the overtone series is the octave, so unless your music consists entirely of octaves and no other interval: it is 'dissonant' (by your definition).

Hehe, i guess you dont want to understand what im saying. Equal temperament is a compromise. The point is dissonance in music, for 250 years its has been a common practice in how to treat dissonances, why?

Any acoustical theories about music produced by real instruments must take into account timbre and register. Interval classes are an abstraction, and we receive the rules governing counterpoint, etc. by tradition. 

Yes, by tradition, still one cant get away with tension should be resolved if you want to be organic in a natural way (if natural is the way nature and the universe work)