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Author Topic: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?  (Read 1321 times)

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Thrupenny Bit

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tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« on: June 03, 2019, 03:24:26 PM »

Hi Gang,
Something that has been with me for a long time - sometimes I want to pull a C bass/chord over a melody note of F# or sometimes A!

I'm currently putting an accompaniment to a waltz and as the melody comes down, it sounds nice with accompaniment going up.

Melody     b  a    | g     f#  |  g  f#  e |
Accomp.  G  Am |  Bm  ??  | G  D   C |

In this situation I'd normally put in a D bass/chord for the ??, but my brain seems to want to put in a quick C!
It makes sense as it completes the bass/chord run as G, Am, Bm, & C.
It also sounds right as in the next bar the melody/bass is G.
Is this what's known as resolution, or is it my odd hearing/brain take on it all?
Which it could be.....
Confused of Devon seeking..... resolution  ;)
« Last Edit: June 03, 2019, 03:27:06 PM by Thrupenny Bit »
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Thrupenny Bit

I think I'm starting to get most of the notes in roughly the right order...... sometimes!

Dick Rees

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2019, 04:17:10 PM »

In the Southern US they might say, "If that dog's a hunter, it makes no never-mind what ya call 'im."
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"You're making the wrong mistakes."
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Thrupenny Bit

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2019, 04:23:06 PM »

Um.... yes ok ( I think  ;D )
I know I can do whatever I like, as that's my 'creative choice' and certainly do on several occasions.
It was just one of those thoughts I've had for many years that cropped up again today and I thought I'd ask.
I am fully prepared to accept it's something quirky with me, so might well take the dog and go hunting  (:)
cheers
Q
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Thrupenny Bit

I think I'm starting to get most of the notes in roughly the right order...... sometimes!

Dick Rees

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2019, 04:46:10 PM »

Not quirky, I think.

For me it really depends on how it works in the arrangement and feel of the entire piece rather than just a few bars.  And then there's the issue of whether it's a chord or a leading tone.  And you don't have to play it the same way each time...

I say go for it, give it some time and see what the tune itself wants to do as it wears in.
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"You're making the wrong mistakes."
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...Bacchus

Chris Ryall

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2019, 05:20:25 PM »

Tension The "harmonic" basis for this in music is either clasking adjacent notes , or the "devils interval" 3-tone, or tritone. C-F# interval is exactly 3 tones. Here it acts as as a #14, but it's exactly the same in a D7, of for that matter Ab7 chord.

I was alluding yo the same effect last week … Play rt Em9 and run Em … D… C pull chords on bass.

A goid tune is a great start but this and rhythm are the secret of arrangement … now you need to "relax" that tension, creatively. Hold the tense note and chane the chord? Or vice versa?
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playandteach

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2019, 07:08:44 PM »

If  you are in G, then the chord (although I agree it doesn't matter what we label it) is vii7 if you add an A minor chord, or vii9 if you add the C chord. Both give tension, as you noticed. vii chords are diminished in major keys and act like the top 3 notes of a dominant 7 chord (as Chris says).

I'm not sure if you are asking for labels. It clearly works well as you hear the tension release into the next chord. The only thing I'd say is that tritones do best to resolve either both notes falling in, or both notes falling out. So an F# in the tune, releases to a G, but you'd expect to hear the C going in the other direction to a B. Resolving by leap (especially as your example doubles up on releasing to a G - same as the melody) is generally not as strong as a stepwise release.

But we have  the instruments with all their limitations, so it doesn't really matter - as long as you like it.

If you want to know more, let me know. The best thing about diminished 7th chords is their ability to modulate on a sixpence. What you have stumbled on is a passing dissonance and all the best people do it.
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Thrupenny Bit

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2019, 08:31:00 PM »

Thanks to Dick, Chris and P&T, you've answered my question.
It is good to know there's some musical theory behind what I'm doing - more 'musical sense' perhaps - and more importantly it's reassured me that what I hear is ok to do!
Q
perhaps not as quirky as I thought  (:)
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Thrupenny Bit

I think I'm starting to get most of the notes in roughly the right order...... sometimes!

rees

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2019, 08:46:32 PM »

That push pull C chord (on a D/G box) is clever, it fits with every note on the box.
As you say, tension and resolution but also  a lovely syrupy suspension.
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Rees Wesson (accordion builder and mechanic)
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Thrupenny Bit

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2019, 08:51:51 PM »

Yep indeed, never thought of it that way, and 'syrupy', lovely way to put it!
Thanks Rees
Q
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Thrupenny Bit

I think I'm starting to get most of the notes in roughly the right order...... sometimes!

rees

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2019, 09:05:16 PM »

Play it over a B in the treble - Cmaj7 golden syrup.
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Rees Wesson (accordion builder and mechanic)
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Thrupenny Bit

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2019, 09:22:06 PM »

 ;D ok.... will give it a go!
Q
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Thrupenny Bit

I think I'm starting to get most of the notes in roughly the right order...... sometimes!

Lester

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #11 on: June 03, 2019, 09:45:48 PM »

Try a standard Shepherds Hey Bampton against a C chord drone  (:)

Dick Rees

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #12 on: June 03, 2019, 09:57:18 PM »

;D ok.... will give it a go!
Q

Cogito ergo I skweez...
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"You're making the wrong mistakes."
...Thelonius Monk

"I never made one of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking."
...Albert Einstein

Cogito ergo bibo.
...Bacchus

Thrupenny Bit

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #13 on: June 03, 2019, 10:01:21 PM »

Right.... first thing in the morning..... ( yawn.. )  !!!
Thanks will give C a good 'c-ing to '
Yes... ok. I'll  ascend the stairs....
Night all
xx
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Thrupenny Bit

I think I'm starting to get most of the notes in roughly the right order...... sometimes!

Thrupenny Bit

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Re: tension and resolution, or just an 'odd' ear?
« Reply #14 on: June 04, 2019, 01:59:48 PM »

I've had a play around - given myself 'a good C-ing' to!

I feel happier playing the tune as described in my original post using a C to create the tension and resolution. It now makes sense and I feel happy to create that effect.
It is illustrated well by, as Lester suggests, holding down a C chord and playing Shepherd's Hey, listening to the tune 'come and go'  against the chord.
I have also sampled syrup too  ;D
thanks all, that was a useful thing for me to think through, and of course providing more food for thought later when it crops up in other places....
cheers
Q
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Thrupenny Bit

I think I'm starting to get most of the notes in roughly the right order...... sometimes!
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