Music Theory Notes 1

Question 1

Define Suspension

Answer 1

a note that is held over (or sustained) from a previous chord into the current chord, creating a temporary dissonance that is eventually resolved by stepping down (or occasionally up) to a consonant note. This creates a sense of tension and releases information about the harmony.

Question 2

What are the key elements of a suspension?

Answer 2

1. Preparation: The note that will be suspended is consonant with the previous chord.
2. Suspension: The note is held over into the next chord, creating a dissonance because it does not belong to the new chord.
3. Resolution: The suspended note resolves down (or sometimes up) by a step to a consonant note that fits into the new chord.

Question 3

What is the role of suspensions in music?

Answer 3

• Creating Tension and Release: Suspensions add expressiveness by delaying harmonic resolution, which creates a moment of tension followed by a satisfying resolution.
• Voice Leading: Good voice leading often incorporates suspensions to smooth the transition between chords.
• Emotional Impact: The use of suspensions can heighten the emotional content of a piece, providing depth and nuance.

Question 4

In which periods were suspensions used?

Answer 4

• Baroque and Classical Music: Composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart frequently used suspensions to create intricate harmonic textures.
• Romantic and Modern Music: Later composers continued to use suspensions, often in more complex ways, to enhance emotional expression.

Question 5

What is Tierce de Picardie (or Picardy third)

Answer 5

the practice of ending a piece of music in a minor key with a major chord instead of the expected minor chord. This unexpected resolution from a minor tonic chord to a major tonic chord creates a sense of brightness and uplift at the end of a piece, contrasting with the prevailing minor tonality.

Question 6

What are the Characteristics of a Tierce de Picardie

Answer 6

1. Change from Minor to Major: The minor third of the tonic chord is raised by a half step to create a major chord. For example, in A minor, the tonic chord is A-C-E. To form a Picardy third, the C is raised to C#, making the chord A-C#-E.
2. Emotional Impact: This technique can provide a surprising and uplifting conclusion to a piece that might otherwise have ended on a sombre or unresolved note.
3. Historical Usage: The Tierce de Picardie was particularly popular during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, though it is found in music from various eras. Composers like Johann Sebastian Bach frequently employed this technique.

Examples
* Bach’s Chorales: Many of Bach’s chorales end with a Picardy third, giving a sense of finality and resolution.
* Baroque Music: In Baroque keyboard and choral music, the Picardy third is often used at the end of movements in a minor key.

Question 7

How is teirece de picardie indicated in musical notation?

Answer 7

Notation
In musical notation, the Tierce de Picardie is indicated simply by the final chord. For example, if a piece in A minor ends with an A major chord, this would be the Picardy third.

Question 8

Discuss its usage in Modern Music

Answer 8

While not as common in contemporary music, the Picardy third can still be used to create a surprising or uplifting conclusion to a piece or section in a minor key.

Question 9

Examples of a Picardy Third in C minor

Answer 9

1. C Minor Chord: C-E♭-G
2. C Major Chord (Picardy Third): C-E-G
   By raising the E♭ to E, the chord changes from minor to major, producing the characteristic Picardy third.
   The Tierce de Picardie remains an effective tool for composers and musicians to alter the emotional tone at the end of a piece, providing a sense of closure and unexpected brightness.

Question 10

Define tension

Answer 10

Tension: the sense of instability or suspense created by certain musical elements that seek resolution. Tension is a crucial aspect of music because it drives the music forward, creating emotional engagement and interest for the listener. It is resolved by moving to a more stable, consonant state, providing a sense of release or relaxation.

Question 11

WHere can you find tension in music?

Answer 11

1. Harmony and Dissonance
2. Melody
3. Rhythm and Meter
4. Dynamics and Articulation

Question 12

Define Dissonance

Answer 12

Dissonance: A combination of musical notes that sounds tense, clashing, or unstable, often creating a feeling of unresolved tension.

Question 13

Define Consonance

Answer 13

Consonance: A combination of musical notes that sounds smooth, stable, and pleasant, often giving a sense of resolution or harmony.

Question 14

Define Harmonic progressions

Answer 14

Harmonic progressions: A sequence of chords played in a specific order to create movement and structure in music.

Question 15

Define Melody

Answer 15

Melody: A sequence of musical notes arranged to form a tuneful and recognisable pattern, often the main theme of a piece.

Question 16

Define Syncopation

Answer 16

Syncopation: A rhythmic effect where the emphasis falls on weak beats or off-beats, creating a feeling of surprise or unpredictability.

Question 16

Polyrhytms

Answer 16

Polyrhythms: The simultaneous use of two or more contrasting rhythms in a piece of music.

Question 16

Dense Texture

Answer 16

Dense texture in music: A musical arrangement with many layers of instruments or voices, creating a rich and complex sound.

Question 17

Contrasting Timbres

Answer 17

Contrasting timbres: The use of different sound qualities or tones from various instruments or voices to create variety in music.

Question 18

Timbres

Answer 18

Timbres: The unique tone or sound quality of an instrument or voice that distinguishes it from others, even when playing the same note.

Question 19

Resolution

Answer 19

Resolution: The movement of a dissonant or tense chord to a consonant or stable one, creating a sense of closure or relief.

Question 20

Explain how dissonance and harmonic progressions can create tension

Answer 20

Dissonance: Intervals or chords that sound unstable or clash, such as the tritone or a diminished seventh chord, create tension. Dissonance typically seeks resolution to consonance.
Harmonic Progressions: Certain chord progressions inherently create tension, such as the dominant (V) to tonic (I) progression, where the dominant chord seeks resolution to the tonic.

Question 21

Explain how the melody can create tension in music.

Answer 21

o Leaps and Jumps: Large intervals between notes in a melody can create a sense of tension that seeks resolution through stepwise motion.
Non-Chord Tones: Passing tones, suspensions, appoggiaturas, and other non-chord tones introduce temporary dissonance that resolves to consonant tones.

Question 21

Explain how rhythm and metre (syncoptation and polyrhythms) can create tension in music.

Answer 21

Syncopation: Accenting weak beats or off-beats creates rhythmic tension that resolves when the music returns to the regular metrical pattern.
Polyrhythms: The simultaneous use of contrasting rhythmic patterns can create complexity and tension.

Question 22

Explain how dynamics and articulation (cresendos and decrescendos, and accents and staccato) can create tension in music.

Answer 22

Crescendos and Decrescendos: Gradual increases and decreases in volume build and release tension.
Accents and Staccato: Sharp, detached notes or emphasised beats can create momentary tension within a phrase.

Question 23

Explain how texture and timbre can create tension in music.

Answer 23

o Dense Textures: A thick, richly layered texture can create tension due to its complexity.
Contrasting Timbres: Using contrasting instrumental sounds or vocal qualities can add to the sense of tension.

Question 24

Provide Examples of Tension in Music.

Answer 24

• Classical Music: In Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, the opening motif creates intense rhythmic and harmonic tension that is developed and eventually resolved throughout the movement.
• Jazz: In jazz, tension is often created through extended harmonies, such as the use of ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths, which are resolved through voice leading and harmonic progression.
• Pop and Rock: Tension can be created by building up to a chorus with a pre-chorus that increases in dynamics and rhythmic intensity, leading to a powerful resolution in the chorus.