Most of us like music. Many folks go way beyond that. In my case, I loved it so much that I changed into a musician. I have been one now for over 40 years.
But I frequently ask why I love music so much. I even wonder what it is about music that connects with me. I have studied the inner workings of great music to try to identify just what it is about it that connects with not only myself but uncountable billions of other music lovers in the world.
I have decided it's about Tension and Resolution
What the hell is he talking about you assert?
Well if you look under the hood at why a musical composition moves us it's because it's creating tension, and resolving that tension, repeatedly thru the piece of music.
Take something similar to Beethoven's 5th symphony, or any great symphony for what it's worth. The good ones are filled with drama and emotion.
There's loud passages and softer passages.
There's sections when just the flutes and woodwinds are playing some sweet melody.
In the subsequent section the horns and kettle drums come in and all heck breaks lose.
Probably one of the greatest examples of a musical piece that creates tension is Ravel's Bolero. Everyone knows the piece because it is so dramatic. If you've forgotten the piece, you may remember it from the bedroom scene in that great movie "10" with Dudley Moore and Bo Derek.
Now you remember.
Anyhow this piece slowly builds tension by getting louder and louder as it repeats the basic melody over and over again. By the end of the song the emotion and tension is so high we can't help but want it to end... Well maybe not actually stop but at least change. And that's the genius of Ravel after all. We can't stop listening.
How Tension and Resolution Is Created
In music the musician has many techniques at his or her disposal to make this tension and resolution.
First there's the harmonic tendencies of the tune.
If you know a little musical theory, you know that in any specific key there are 8 notes... At least there are eight chromatic notes. These notes are mixed into what are called chords. So there are a possible eight chords that may be made in any specific key (actually there are many 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 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 track.
Other Ways To Create Tension and Resolution
Aside from harmonic systems the volume, or loudness, of the diverse parts of a piece 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 composition.
So a great musician or composer uses these and other musical strategies to move us. And, it's these potent emotions that we feel because of the tension and resolution created in the music that makes it pleasing to us.
OK now you understand why you adore music so much. Aren't you glad you asked?
But I frequently ask why I love music so much. I even wonder what it is about music that connects with me. I have studied the inner workings of great music to try to identify just what it is about it that connects with not only myself but uncountable billions of other music lovers in the world.
I have decided it's about Tension and Resolution
What the hell is he talking about you assert?
Well if you look under the hood at why a musical composition moves us it's because it's creating tension, and resolving that tension, repeatedly thru the piece of music.
Take something similar to Beethoven's 5th symphony, or any great symphony for what it's worth. The good ones are filled with drama and emotion.
There's loud passages and softer passages.
There's sections when just the flutes and woodwinds are playing some sweet melody.
In the subsequent section the horns and kettle drums come in and all heck breaks lose.
Probably one of the greatest examples of a musical piece that creates tension is Ravel's Bolero. Everyone knows the piece because it is so dramatic. If you've forgotten the piece, you may remember it from the bedroom scene in that great movie "10" with Dudley Moore and Bo Derek.
Now you remember.
Anyhow this piece slowly builds tension by getting louder and louder as it repeats the basic melody over and over again. By the end of the song the emotion and tension is so high we can't help but want it to end... Well maybe not actually stop but at least change. And that's the genius of Ravel after all. We can't stop listening.
How Tension and Resolution Is Created
In music the musician has many techniques at his or her disposal to make this tension and resolution.
First there's the harmonic tendencies of the tune.
If you know a little musical theory, you know that in any specific key there are 8 notes... At least there are eight chromatic notes. These notes are mixed into what are called chords. So there are a possible eight chords that may be made in any specific key (actually there are many 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 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 track.
Other Ways To Create Tension and Resolution
Aside from harmonic systems the volume, or loudness, of the diverse parts of a piece 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 composition.
So a great musician or composer uses these and other musical strategies to move us. And, it's these potent emotions that we feel because of the tension and resolution created in the music that makes it pleasing to us.
OK now you understand 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
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