How jazz and classical music use dissonance in melody to create strong emotions
9/3/20231 min read
Jazz and classical musicians often use dissonance in melody to create strong emotions in the listener. Dissonance can be used to evoke feelings of tension, suspense, horror, or even sadness[1]. Composers make use of dissonance in musical composition as it is one of the tools to create movement, change, rising and falling action, a sense of urgency, and build tension followed by a period of release[1]. Jazz and classical musicians often incorporate dissonance and variations in harmonic tension to produce strong emotions in the listener[1][2]. Bach used dissonant chord progressions in his compositions to build tension and achieve resolution[4]. Dissonance is also used in Indian music to create a sense of instability and tension[6].
It's important to note that the use of dissonance in melody is subjective and can vary among individuals and across different musical traditions and styles. The perception of dissonance and relaxation can vary depending on the listener's preferences and cultural context. Ultimately, the role of dissonance in creating strong emotions in music is to create a contrast that enhances the overall emotional impact of the music[1].
Reference:
[1] https://themusicambition.com/dissonance-music-what-does-dissonance-mean/
[2] https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dissonance-music-explained
[3] https://www.useyourear.com/blog/consonance-and-dissonance-in-music
[4] https://study.com/academy/lesson/dissonance-in-music-definition-examples.html
[5] https://www.musical-u.com/learn/consonance-dissonance-music/