Extended harmonies

Definition

Extended harmonies refer to chords that go beyond the traditional triads and seventh chords by incorporating additional notes, such as the ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth. This approach enriches the harmonic texture and creates a more complex sound, often associated with Impressionism and Symbolism. These extended chords can evoke a wide range of emotions and create atmospheres that are crucial to the aesthetic of these movements in music.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Extended harmonies became prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as composers sought to move away from traditional tonal structures.
2. In Impressionistic music, composers like Debussy utilized extended harmonies to create atmospheric effects and depict nature and emotions more vividly.
3. These harmonies can often create an ambiguous sense of tonality, blurring the lines between major and minor modes.
4. Extended harmonies frequently employ altered tones or tensions, such as sharp or flat ninths, adding complexity to the sound.
5. Symbolist poets influenced composers to use extended harmonies as a way to express elusive ideas and emotions through music.

Review Questions

• How do extended harmonies enhance the emotional impact of music within Impressionism?
  • Extended harmonies enhance emotional impact by providing a richer sonic palette that evokes specific feelings and atmospheres. Composers like Debussy used these harmonies to create a sense of fluidity and ambiguity, allowing listeners to experience a wide range of emotions. This approach contrasts with traditional harmonic structures, enabling a more nuanced expression that aligns with the ideals of Impressionism.
• In what ways do extended harmonies reflect the principles of Symbolism in music composition?
  • Extended harmonies reflect Symbolism by emphasizing mood over structure, allowing for greater emotional expression and deeper connections to abstract ideas. Composers used these harmonies to convey complex feelings and ideas that resonate with Symbolist poetry, creating a musical landscape that evokes imagery rather than literal narratives. This alignment with Symbolist ideals showcases how music can transcend mere sound to become a vehicle for profound artistic expression.
• Evaluate the significance of extended harmonies in transforming traditional music structures during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • The significance of extended harmonies lies in their role in transforming traditional music structures by challenging conventional tonal systems. As composers began incorporating these complex chords, they expanded the boundaries of harmony and expression, paving the way for modern music styles. This shift not only influenced Impressionism and Symbolism but also laid the groundwork for future developments in jazz, contemporary classical music, and beyond, illustrating a crucial evolution in musical language.

Related terms

Tension and Release: A musical concept where tension is created through dissonance or unexpected harmonies, which is then resolved to create a sense of release, enhancing emotional expression.

Chromaticism: The use of notes outside the traditional scale, often employed to create richer harmonic textures and evoke unique emotional responses in music.

Modal Interchange: The technique of borrowing chords from parallel modes, adding variety and depth to harmonic progressions while supporting extended harmonies.