Harmonic ambiguity
What Harmonic ambiguity means in Music A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Harmonic ambiguity
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Reference: AQA
A deliberate tonal ambiguity created by the lack of a third, which obscures whether the chord is major or minor.
Because the third is omitted, the chord is neither major nor minor, giving it a harmonically ambiguous quality.
Topics that use Harmonic ambiguity
- Area of study 3: Music for media - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
- Area of study 7: Art music since 1910 - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Drone
- Extended instrumental techniques
- Harmonic language
- Polyrhythm
- Reverb
- Texture
- Texture and density
- Thematic development
Using Harmonic ambiguity in the exam
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