Negative Harmony: Changing the Emotional Feel of Music
Summary
In this article, we explore the concept of negative harmony and how it can change the emotional feel of a piece of music. We also discuss the importance of context and personal experience when making musical choices.
Table of Contents
- What is Negative Harmony?
- Changing the Emotional Feel of Music
- Importance of Context and Personal Experience
- Voicing Chords Correctly
- Creating Tension in Music
- Miles Davis’ Advice
- Amazing Grace
What is Negative Harmony?
Negative harmony is a concept that involves using the undertone series and overtone series to create a polar effect. It involves taking a melody and reflecting it over an axis, which results in a new melody that is the negative of the original. This new melody can be used to create a new chord progression that is the opposite of the original.
Changing the Emotional Feel of Music
Negative harmony can change the emotional feeling of a piece of music, even if it is originally in a major key. For example, a song in C major can be transformed into a song in A minor using negative harmony. This change can create a darker, more emotional feel to the music.
Importance of Context and Personal Experience
When making musical choices, it is important to consider the context and personal experience. For example, using a non-dominant chord can create a solution in a specific situation. Additionally, voicing chords correctly and using the bottom part of a structure can help arrive at a desired chord.
Voicing Chords Correctly
Voicing chords correctly involves choosing the right notes to play and arranging them in a way that sounds good. This can be achieved by understanding the function of each note in a chord and using that knowledge to make informed choices.
Creating Tension in Music
Creating tension in music involves one thing moving in one direction while another arrives. This tension can be used to create emotional impact and keep the listener engaged.
Miles Davis’ Advice
The speaker shares a personal experience with Miles Davis, who advised them to avoid playing the obvious notes. This advice changed everything for the speaker and helped them break out of a musical rut.
Amazing Grace
The speaker offers to play the tune “Amazing Grace” while discussing more topics related to music.
Conclusion
Negative harmony is a powerful tool that can be used to change the emotional feel of music. By considering context and personal experience, voicing chords correctly, and creating tension, musicians can create impactful and engaging music. Remember to take risks and avoid playing the obvious notes.
