How Music Speaks To A Listener And Moves A Music Lover

By Rick Hart

Many of us like music. Many people go way beyond that. In my case, I loved it so much that I changed into a musician. I have been one now for over 45 years.

But I frequently ask why I adore music so much. I even ponder what it is about music that connects with me. I have studied the inside workings of great music to attempt to pin down just what it is about it that connects with not only myself but uncountable billions of other humans in the world.

I have decided it's about Tension and Resolution

Whatever is he talking about you are saying?

Well if you look in detail at why a musical piece moves us it is down to the fact it's making tension, and resolving that tension, continually thru the musical piece.

Take something similar to Beethoven's 5th symphony, or any great symphony for that matter. The best ones are filled with drama and emotion.

There's high volume passages and soft passages.

There's sections when just the flutes and woodwinds are playing some sweet tune.

In the next minute the horns and kettle drums come in and all heck breaks lose.

Doubtless one of the greatest models of a musical piece that creates tension is Ravel's Bolero. We all know the piece because it is so dramatic. If you have forgotten the piece, you could remember it from the bedroom scene in that great movie "10" with Dudley Moore and Bo Derek.

Now you remember.

Anyhow this symphony slowly builds tension by getting louder and louder as it repeats the basic melody over and over again. By the end of the tune the emotion and tension is so high we can't help but need it to end... Well perhaps not actually end but at least change. And that is the genius of Ravel after all. We won't stop listening.

How Tension and Resolution Is Formed

In music the instrumentalist has many tools at his or her disposal to form this tension and resolution.

First there's the harmonic tendencies of the tune.

If you know a little music theory, you know that in any particular key there are 8 notes... At least there are 8 chromatic notes. These notes are combined into what are called chords. Thus there are a possible eight chords that may be created in any given key (basically there are many more but stay with me for a second).

Each of these chords "moves" us through varying degrees of tension and resolution in a musical arrangement. With the chord built around the first note of the scale creating the resolution. It is referred to as the tonic chord.

The chord built around the 5th note of the scale creates the most tension and practically begs to return to the tonic chord to resolve the emotion.

The other chords all add to the various levels of tension and resolution created by the arranger of the tune.

Alternative Routes To Form Tension and Resolution

Besides harmonic systems the volume, or loudness, of the assorted parts of a piece can often be used to create tension and resolution. From the Bolero example above, you can see volume can have a strong dramatic and emotional effect on your reactions to the composition.

So a great arranger or composer uses these and other musical techniques to move us. And, it's these potent feelings that we feel thanks to the tension and resolution made in the music that makes it special to us.

OK now you know why you love music so much. Aren't you glad you asked?

About the Author:

Rick Honeyboy Hart is a seasoned blues guitar player. He's played in many bands over the years and now teaches other guitarists learn about tension and resolution on his internet site www.BluesGuitarInsider.com