Elements of Tension & Relaxation
Tension and Relaxation
Musical Elements that produce tension
1. Repetition – of almost anything
2. Jagged Articulations
3. Dramatic Devices
4. Increased Volume
5. Wide Intervals – especially ascending
6. Non- Chord Tones
7. Dissonant Harmony
8. Ascending Lines
9. Extreme Register of Instruments
10. Alternating Directions
11. Emphasis on Passing Tones
Musical Elements that produce Relaxation
1. Decreased volume
2. Notes of longer duration
3. Smoothness in articulation
4. Silence
5. Descending lines
6. Rest or Space
7. Emphasis on chord tones 8. Consonant Harmony