Harmonic language
What Harmonic language means in Music A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Harmonic language
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Reference: AQA
Diatonic harmony creates a sense of stability, heroism, or romance, while extended chords and quartal harmony provide a modern or ethereal quality.
The diverse harmonic approaches composers explored in Art music since 1910, expanding significantly beyond traditional functional tonality.
The range of harmonic choices used, from stable diatonic progressions to complex chromaticism, extended chords and harsh dissonance.
Topics that use Harmonic language
- Area of study 3: Music for media - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
- Area of study 4: Music for theatre - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
- Area of study 7: Art music since 1910 - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Thematic development
- Chord extensions
- Dramatic function
- Drone
- Extended instrumental techniques
- half-diminished 7th
- Harmonic ambiguity
- Narrative cohesion
Using Harmonic language in the exam
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