Tension and release
What Tension and release means in Music A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Tension and release
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Reference: AQA
Chromaticism, dissonance, and atonality are frequently employed to generate tension, fear, or ambiguity.
Altered chords increase tension, while the ii-V-I progression provides a strong sense of resolution.
Topics that use Tension and release
- Area of study 3: Music for media - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
- Area of study 5: Jazz - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- added 6th
- Functional harmony
- Instrumental techniques
- Polyrhythm
- Sonority
- Thematic development
- Timbral manipulation
- Timbre
Using Tension and release in the exam
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