Music A-Level
Harmonic tension
What Harmonic tension means in Music A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Harmonic tension
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Reference: AQA
The dissonant, unstable nature of the half-diminished seventh chord is perfect for conveying mystery or unresolved tension in film scores.
Created by dissonant intervals and used by composers from the Baroque to the Romantic eras to propel the music forward.
Emotional tension created against a major chord accompaniment by the use of blue notes.
Topics that use Harmonic tension
- Area of study 1: Western classical tradition 1650–1910 (compulsory) - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
- Area of study 2: Pop music - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
- Area of study 3: Music for media - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Dominant pedal
- Instrumental techniques
- Sonority
- Syncopation
- Tonic pedal
- Articulation
- Chord nomenclature
- Cross-rhythm
Using Harmonic tension in the exam
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