16330 / 18210 · Workshop 119 — Writing and Hearing Tension Arcs: How to Control Dissonance, Expectation, Delay, Release, and Emotional Pressure Across an Entire Piece← prev⊞ allnext →
119.1First distinction: tension versus dissonance
Play:
Cmaj7.
The B against C is technically dissonant in some theoretical senses.
But the sonority may feel:
calm.
Now play:
G7.
Even if voiced simply:
G-B-D-F.
It may feel:
more tense.
Why?
Because it implies:
resolution.