Music A-Level
Dissonance and tension
What Dissonance and tension means in Music A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of Dissonance and tension
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Dissonance and tension in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: AQA
A quality produced by clusters, which deliberately avoid traditional harmonic resolution to underscore dramatic, unsettling on-screen events.
Topics that use Dissonance and tension
- Area of study 3: Music for media - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- 9th, 11th, and 13th chords
- Action and drive
- added 6th
- Character development
- Chord extensions
- Chord nomenclature
- Cross-cultural orchestration
- Cross-rhythm
Using Dissonance and tension in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
Practise Music questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
Start free
All Music A-Level termsA week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge