๐ Beyond Tertian Harmony: Exploring New Approaches to Consonance
Tertian harmony, built on intervals of thirds, has been the foundation of Western music for centuries. However, composers and theorists have long sought alternative approaches to consonance, pushing the boundaries of musical expression. This exploration has led to fascinating innovations, challenging our perceptions of what sounds 'pleasant' or 'stable'.
๐ A Brief History of Non-Tertian Consonance
The seeds of moving beyond tertian harmony were sown long ago, with composers experimenting with modality, polytonality, and atonality. However, the 20th and 21st centuries witnessed a more systematic exploration of alternative harmonic systems.
- ๐ผ Early Explorations: Modal music of the Medieval and Renaissance periods offered alternatives to tertian harmony, utilizing scales beyond major and minor.
- ๐น Impressionism and Beyond: Composers like Debussy and Ravel used extended chords (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) and parallel motion to blur traditional harmonic functions.
- ๐ฅ The Atonal Revolution: Schoenberg and the Second Viennese School abandoned tonality altogether, leading to new conceptions of dissonance and consonance.
๐ Key Principles of Alternative Consonance
Several principles guide the exploration of consonance beyond traditional tertian harmony:
- ๐ต Interval-Based Harmony: Building harmony based on specific intervals (e.g., perfect fourths, tritones) rather than thirds.
- ๐ Spectral Harmony: Deriving harmony from the overtone series of a single fundamental pitch.
- ๐ Microtonality: Utilizing intervals smaller than a semitone, expanding the palette of available pitches and consonances.
- ๐ค Algorithmic Composition: Employing computer algorithms to generate harmonic structures based on mathematical principles.
- โพ๏ธ Just Intonation: Tuning systems based on pure intervals derived from simple mathematical ratios, differing from equal temperament.
๐ Real-World Examples
Here are some examples of composers and techniques that exemplify these alternative approaches:
| Composer/Technique |
Description |
Example |
| Quartal Harmony |
Harmony built on intervals of perfect fourths. |
McCoy Tyner's jazz piano playing. |
| Spectral Music |
Music derived from the analysis of sound spectra. |
Partiels by Gรฉrard Grisey. |
| Microtonal Music |
Music using intervals smaller than a semitone. |
The music of Harry Partch. |
| Just Intonation |
Tuning system prioritizing pure intervals. |
Early music ensembles specializing in medieval and renaissance repertoire. |
โ๏ธ Conclusion
Exploring consonance beyond tertian harmony offers composers and listeners a vast and exciting world of sonic possibilities. By embracing new approaches to interval relationships, tuning systems, and compositional techniques, we can expand our understanding of music and create truly unique and expressive works. The journey beyond tertian harmony is an ongoing process, one that promises to continue pushing the boundaries of musical creativity for years to come.