Week 3: Tuesday 7/12
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Objectives:
Familiar VS. Contrast Intro to Harmony History of Harmony Consonance VS. Dissonance The Chord Progression |
Assignments:
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Familiar VS. Contrast
As Humans, we have a constant need for the familiar,
while also having a constant desire for contrast.
Example:
Think of where you live: For most people, HOME is where we feel most comfortable. It is the easiest place for us to relax, and where we feel safest.
This is because it is the most Familiar place.
But does this mean we want to spend every waking minute at home? NO!! We have this constant desire to leave, to GO OUT, to GO TO WORK, to GO ON VACATION.
This is to add Contrast to our life! To Spice things up a bit!
But after all these activities, where is that we long to go? Back home! Back to Familiarity!
while also having a constant desire for contrast.
Example:
Think of where you live: For most people, HOME is where we feel most comfortable. It is the easiest place for us to relax, and where we feel safest.
This is because it is the most Familiar place.
But does this mean we want to spend every waking minute at home? NO!! We have this constant desire to leave, to GO OUT, to GO TO WORK, to GO ON VACATION.
This is to add Contrast to our life! To Spice things up a bit!
But after all these activities, where is that we long to go? Back home! Back to Familiarity!
Uncomfortable VS Comfortable
Unpredictable VS Predictable
Tension VS Release
Familiar VS Unfamiliar
We see this carry over to many forms of art.
Whether or not we LIKE the art can depend heavily on this balance:
Too Unfamiliar, we think it is weird
Too Familiar, it is boring
Example
Example:
Film/Literature: Familiar plots with Unfamiliar twists/variations.
Unpredictable VS Predictable
Tension VS Release
Familiar VS Unfamiliar
We see this carry over to many forms of art.
Whether or not we LIKE the art can depend heavily on this balance:
Too Unfamiliar, we think it is weird
Too Familiar, it is boring
Example
Example:
Film/Literature: Familiar plots with Unfamiliar twists/variations.
Familiarity in Music
Familiar in Music = Lots of Repeated Material
Think again about Whip Nae Nae
According to VH1
Pros / Advantages of Repetition and Familiarity:
- We (the listeners) are comfortable
-We know/can predict what's coming next
-We are never too surprised
-Good for 'sing along' purposes
Contrast in Music = Lack of Repeated Material
These are much harder to find examples of in Popular Music!
Virtually everything we hear on the radio today will have many repetitive components
He are some Examples of song that are not at all repetitive
This is a little bit like "musical Gibberish. " The words are there, but they don't make sense with eachother
Think again about Whip Nae Nae
According to VH1
Pros / Advantages of Repetition and Familiarity:
- We (the listeners) are comfortable
-We know/can predict what's coming next
-We are never too surprised
-Good for 'sing along' purposes
Contrast in Music = Lack of Repeated Material
These are much harder to find examples of in Popular Music!
Virtually everything we hear on the radio today will have many repetitive components
He are some Examples of song that are not at all repetitive
This is a little bit like "musical Gibberish. " The words are there, but they don't make sense with eachother
Introduction to Harmony
In everyday language, Harmony means Closeness, Friendliness, or Agreement
Webster: "A consonant, orderly or pleasing agreement of parts."
Musical Definition: "The combination of simultaneous pitches"
Webster: "A consonant, orderly or pleasing agreement of parts."
Musical Definition: "The combination of simultaneous pitches"
Harmony = The sum of all individual/different parts, coming together in agreement to a make a whole
Question: How do we know which notes sound **GOOD** together?
Question: How do we define "GOOD" in this context?
Over the course of history through a process of some methodical thought, but mostly trial and error, we have some to accept a general STANDARD of what sounds 'good' and what sounds 'bad' to the human ear.
***As with everything, there are exceptions (some people reject conventional harmony), but for the most part, we will all agree***
*** Another exception is people from other parts of the world - what we are talking about and hear everyday is called "Western Harmony" - There is a totally different set of runes in Asian and another set of rules in India (and probably many I don't know of)****
***As with everything, there are exceptions (some people reject conventional harmony), but for the most part, we will all agree***
*** Another exception is people from other parts of the world - what we are talking about and hear everyday is called "Western Harmony" - There is a totally different set of runes in Asian and another set of rules in India (and probably many I don't know of)****
Expedited History of Harmony
Consonant And Dissonant
Consonant
A simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of repose (at rest/at peace).
Dissonant
A simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of unrest and needing completion.
******What is Conventionally Accepted? How do we Know*******
Consonance --------------------------------- Dissonance
Uncomfortable ----------------------------- Comfortable
Familiar --------------------------------------- Contrast
Predictable ----------------------------------- Unpredictable
Release ---------------------------------------- Tension
?????HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH??????
Too much? Not Enough?
What about in Popular Music?
Beatles Black Sabbath
If Dissonance is meant to be uncomfortable, why would artist CHOOSE TO USE IT?
A simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of repose (at rest/at peace).
Dissonant
A simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of unrest and needing completion.
******What is Conventionally Accepted? How do we Know*******
Consonance --------------------------------- Dissonance
Uncomfortable ----------------------------- Comfortable
Familiar --------------------------------------- Contrast
Predictable ----------------------------------- Unpredictable
Release ---------------------------------------- Tension
?????HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH??????
Too much? Not Enough?
What about in Popular Music?
Beatles Black Sabbath
If Dissonance is meant to be uncomfortable, why would artist CHOOSE TO USE IT?
The Chord Progression: A Device of Familiarity
- How can Composers/Artists create feeling of familiarity? How do they create that "home" that we want to deviate from?
The Chorus = reoccurring familiar material
One Device is a Chord Progression.
Chord: Three notes played Simultaneously
Chord Progression: A specific, repetitive arrangement of chords intended to provide familiarity to the listener.
Examples:
I V vi IV
vi VI V I
Check out this interesting Website where we can find trends in Pop Music
There are DOZENS of chord progressions engrained into your ear that you are already familiar with, without even knowing it! This is something composers depend on so they can create a musical HOME
Common Chord Progression:
I V vi IV