Articles tagged with: "harmonic tension"

Suspended Chords: A Guide to Creating Tension and Motion in Music

Suspended Chords: A Guide to Creating Tension and Motion in Music

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

Suspended chords, or "sus" chords, are a vital tool for any songwriter, composer, or musician. By replacing the defining third of a chord with either a more neutral second (sus2) …

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The Dominant Eleventh Chord: A Guide to Its Sound, Soul, and Function

The Dominant Eleventh Chord: A Guide to Its Sound, Soul, and Function

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

This article demystifies the dominant eleventh chord (V11), a sophisticated harmony that defines the sound of modern jazz, funk, and gospel. We explore its theoretical construction, the crucial...

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Sus4 Chord: The Classic Suspended Harmony

Sus4 Chord: The Classic Suspended Harmony

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

The sus4 chord (suspended fourth) is a triad where the third is replaced by a perfect fourth above the root. This creates a distinctive, open-sounding harmony with a strong tendency …

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Altered Chords: Adding Color and Tension to Your Music

Altered Chords: Adding Color and Tension to Your Music

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

Altered chords are a cornerstone of modern harmony, providing a rich palette of tension and release by chromatically modifying standard chord tones. This guide demystifies altered dominant chords,...

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Minor Second Interval: The Tension of Adjacent Notes

Minor Second Interval: The Tension of Adjacent Notes

Published on 15 Jul, 2025

The minor second, the smallest interval in Western music, spans a single semitone (or half step). It is the most dissonant harmonic interval, creating a powerful sense of tension that …

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