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Dissonance is the combination of notes that creates a sense of musical tension, instability or unresolved sound. In music, dissonance is often contrasted with consonance, which produces a more stable and restful effect.
What is dissonance?
Dissonance occurs when two or more notes create harmonic tension that naturally seeks resolution. Intervals such as the minor second, major seventh and tritone are classic examples of dissonant intervals.
Rather than being “wrong,” dissonance is one of the most important expressive tools in music. It creates movement, expectation and emotional intensity before resolving to a more stable harmony.
How is dissonance used in piano playing?
Piano players use dissonance to add color, expression and harmonic interest to their music. Jazz pianists often introduce extensions and altered tones, while blues and contemporary styles use dissonance to create emotional impact and forward motion.
Learning to balance dissonance and consonance is an essential part of developing expressive harmony, effective improvisation and sophisticated chord voicings.