Many of us like music. Many folks go miles beyond that. In my case, I loved it such a lot that I turned into a musician. I've been one now for over 45 years.
But I frequently wonder why I love music so much. I even think about what it is about music that connects with me. I have studied the inner workings of great music to try and pinpoint just what it is about it that connects with not only myself but uncountable billions of other music lovers in the world.
I've decided it's about Tension and Resolution
What the hell is he talking about you are saying?
Well if you look closely at why a musical piece speaks to us it's because it's creating tension, and resolving that tension, continuously through the piece of music.
Take something similar to Beethoven's 5th symphony, or any great symphony for what it's worth. The best ones are filled with drama and emotion.
There's high volume passages and soft passages.
There's sections when just the flutes and woodwinds are playing some sweet tune.
In the following section the horns and kettle drums come in and all heck breaks lose.
Probably one of the best examples 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 symphony slowly builds tension by getting louder and louder as it repeats the basic melody over and over again. By the end of the tune the drama and tension is so high we can't help but want it to stop... Well perhaps not actually stop but at least change. And that is the genius of Ravel after all. We can't stop listening.
How Tension and Resolution Is Made
In music the instrumentalist has many techniques at his or her disposal to create this tension and resolution.
First there's the harmonic tendencies of the track.
If you know a little music theory, you know that in any given key there are 8 notes... At least there are eight chromatic notes. These notes are combined into what are called chords. So there are a likely 8 chords that can be created in any specific key (essentially there are a lot more but stay with me for a second).
Each of these chords "moves" us thru various levels of tension and resolution in a musical composition. With the chord built around the first note of the scale creating the resolution. It's known as the tonic chord.
The chord built around 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.
Other Ways To Create Tension and Resolution
Aside from harmonic strategies the volume, or loudness, of the diverse parts of a song can often be used to create tension and resolution. From the Bolero example above, you can see volume can have a strong dramatic and emotional effect on your reactions to the music.
So a great writer or composer uses these and other musical strategies to move us. And, it's these dynamic emotions that we feel because of the tension and resolution made in the music that makes it pleasing to us.
OK now you know why you love music so much. Aren't you glad you asked?
But I frequently wonder why I love music so much. I even think about what it is about music that connects with me. I have studied the inner workings of great music to try and pinpoint just what it is about it that connects with not only myself but uncountable billions of other music lovers in the world.
I've decided it's about Tension and Resolution
What the hell is he talking about you are saying?
Well if you look closely at why a musical piece speaks to us it's because it's creating tension, and resolving that tension, continuously through the piece of music.
Take something similar to Beethoven's 5th symphony, or any great symphony for what it's worth. The best ones are filled with drama and emotion.
There's high volume passages and soft passages.
There's sections when just the flutes and woodwinds are playing some sweet tune.
In the following section the horns and kettle drums come in and all heck breaks lose.
Probably one of the best examples 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 symphony slowly builds tension by getting louder and louder as it repeats the basic melody over and over again. By the end of the tune the drama and tension is so high we can't help but want it to stop... Well perhaps not actually stop but at least change. And that is the genius of Ravel after all. We can't stop listening.
How Tension and Resolution Is Made
In music the instrumentalist has many techniques at his or her disposal to create this tension and resolution.
First there's the harmonic tendencies of the track.
If you know a little music theory, you know that in any given key there are 8 notes... At least there are eight chromatic notes. These notes are combined into what are called chords. So there are a likely 8 chords that can be created in any specific key (essentially there are a lot more but stay with me for a second).
Each of these chords "moves" us thru various levels of tension and resolution in a musical composition. With the chord built around the first note of the scale creating the resolution. It's known as the tonic chord.
The chord built around 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.
Other Ways To Create Tension and Resolution
Aside from harmonic strategies the volume, or loudness, of the diverse parts of a song can often be used to create tension and resolution. From the Bolero example above, you can see volume can have a strong dramatic and emotional effect on your reactions to the music.
So a great writer or composer uses these and other musical strategies to move us. And, it's these dynamic emotions that we feel because of the tension and resolution made in the music that makes it pleasing to us.
OK now you know why you love music so much. Aren't you glad you asked?
About the Author:
Rick Honeyboy Hart is a professional blues guitarist. He's played in numerous bands over time and now helps other guitar players learn about tension and resolution on his web site www.BluesGuitarInsider.com
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