Music is a universal language that speaks to our emotions and can evoke strong feelings within us. One of the techniques that musicians use to create tension and add depth to their compositions is called a suspension. A suspension is a musical device where a note is prolonged while the underlying harmony changes, usually on a strong beat. The resulting dissonance creates tension that persists until the suspended note resolves by stepwise motion into a new consonant harmony.
Suspensions are an essential part of music theory and have been used for centuries by composers to create emotional impact in their music. They are classified by numbers that specify the interval distance of the suspended note and its resolution to the bass note. The most common suspensions are the 9-8, 7-6, 4-3, 2-3, and 6-5 suspensions. Understanding how to use suspensions effectively is an important skill for any musician, whether they are composing their music or interpreting the work of others.
Understanding Music Suspension
Suspension is a technique used in music to create tension and interest. It occurs when a note is held over from one chord and then resolves to a note in the next chord. This creates a dissonant sound that is then resolved to a consonant sound.
Suspensions are typically used to create a sense of anticipation or to add emotional depth to a piece of music. They can be used in a wide range of musical genres, from classical to pop.
The basic structure of a suspension is made up of three parts: preparation, suspension, and resolution. The preparation is the note that is held over from the previous chord. The suspension is the dissonant note that creates tension. The resolution is the final note that resolves the tension and creates a consonant sound.
Suspensions can be notated in a variety of ways, but they are typically indicated by a number above the note. For example, a suspension that resolves to the third of a chord may be notated as a “4-3 suspension,” indicating that the suspended note is a fourth above the chord and resolves down to a third.
Suspensions are not the same as appoggiaturas, which are another type of dissonant note. Appoggiaturas are typically used as a decorative element, while suspensions are used to create tension and release.
Historical Context of Suspension in Music
Suspensions have been used in music for centuries, dating back to the Baroque and Renaissance periods. Their use can be traced back to the 16th century, where they were used to create tension and release in vocal music.
During the Baroque period, composers such as Bach and Handel used suspensions extensively in their compositions. They were used to create a sense of drama and heighten emotional intensity in their music.
In the Classical period, composers such as Mozart and Haydn used suspensions more sparingly, as they favored a more balanced and symmetrical approach to music. However, they still used suspensions to create moments of tension and release in their compositions.
In the Romantic period, composers such as Beethoven and Brahms used suspensions to create a sense of emotional intensity and drama in their compositions. They were used to create moments of tension and release, and to heighten the emotional impact of their music.
Today, suspensions continue to be used in a wide range of musical genres, from classical to pop and rock music. They are a powerful tool for creating tension and release in music, and are an important part of the musical vocabulary.
Types of Suspensions in Music
Suspensions are a musical technique used to create tension and release in a composition. A suspension occurs when a note from a previous chord is carried over to the next chord and then resolved down to the third or tonic, suspending a note from the previous chord. There are different types of suspensions in music, and each type has its unique characteristics.
4-3 Suspension
The 4-3 suspension is a type of suspension that occurs when the suspended note is a fourth above the bass note and resolves down to a third. It creates a dissonance that is resolved by the note moving down to the third. This type of suspension is commonly used in classical music.
7-6 Suspension
The 7-6 suspension is another type of suspension that occurs when the suspended note is a seventh above the bass note and resolves down to a sixth. It creates a dissonance that is resolved by the note moving down to the sixth. This type of suspension is often used in jazz music.
9-8 Suspension
The 9-8 suspension is a type of suspension that occurs when the suspended note is a ninth above the bass note and resolves down to an eighth. It creates a dissonance that is resolved by the note moving down to the eighth. This type of suspension is commonly used in baroque music.
Function and Purpose of Suspensions
Suspensions are a powerful tool in music composition that can add depth and tension to a piece of music. They are used to create a sense of anticipation and resolution, by prolonging a consonant note while the underlying harmony changes.
One of the primary functions of suspensions is to create a sense of tension in the music. When a note belonging to one chord is sustained through the change to the next chord, it creates a dissonance that persists until the suspended note resolves by stepwise motion into a new consonant harmony. This resolution creates a sense of release and resolution that can be very satisfying to the listener.
Another important function of suspensions is to add emotional depth to the music. By creating tension and resolution, suspensions can evoke a range of emotions, from sadness and longing to joy and triumph. Composers and songwriters can use suspensions to create a sense of drama and intensity in their music, and to convey a wide range of emotions to their listeners.
In addition to their emotional and dramatic function, suspensions can also be used to create interest and variety in a piece of music. By introducing dissonance and tension, suspensions can break up the monotony of a simple chord progression and add complexity and interest to the music.
Suspension in Various Music Genres
Suspension is a technique used in various music genres to create tension and release. Here are some examples of suspension in different music genres:
Classical Music
In classical music, suspensions are often used in the form of dissonant chords that create tension and then resolve into consonant chords. For example, in Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”, the opening phrase features a suspension where the third of the chord is held over from the previous chord, creating a dissonant sound that resolves into a consonant chord.
Jazz Music
In jazz music, suspensions are often used in the form of chord extensions and alterations. For example, a dominant seventh chord with a suspended fourth (often abbreviated as “sus4”) is a common chord used in jazz music. This chord creates tension and can be resolved into a major or minor chord.
Pop Music
In pop music, suspensions are often used in the form of melody suspensions. For example, in Adele’s “Someone Like You”, the melody features a suspension where the note is held over from the previous chord, creating a dissonant sound that resolves into a consonant note.
Electronic Music
In electronic music, suspensions are often used in the form of filter sweeps and risers. For example, a filter sweep is a technique where a filter is slowly opened or closed to create a rising or falling sound. This creates tension and can be resolved into a drop or breakdown.
Suspensions are a versatile technique used in various music genres to create tension and release. By understanding how suspensions are used in different genres, you can gain a better appreciation of how music works and how it can be used to create different moods and emotions.
Common Misconceptions About Music Suspensions
Music suspensions can be a confusing topic for many people, and there are several common misconceptions that can make it even more challenging to understand. Here are a few of the most prevalent misconceptions about music suspensions:
- Misconception 1: Suspensions are always dissonant. While it’s true that suspensions often create dissonance, they are not always dissonant. In fact, suspensions can also be used to create a sense of resolution and stability in a piece of music.
- Misconception 2: Suspensions are only used in classical music. While suspensions are often associated with classical music, they are used in a wide variety of musical genres, including jazz, rock, and pop.
- Misconception 3: Suspensions are always resolved by stepwise motion. While suspensions are often resolved by stepwise motion, they can also be resolved by other intervals, such as a leap or a skip.
- Misconception 4: Suspensions are always created by holding a note over a chord change. While this is one way to create a suspension, it’s not the only way. Suspensions can also be created by using a non-chord tone, such as an appoggiatura or an escape tone.
It’s essential to understand these common misconceptions about music suspensions to have a more accurate understanding of how they work. By understanding these misconceptions, you can better appreciate the complexity and versatility of suspensions in music.
Conclusion
A suspension in music is a technique used to create tension and add depth of emotion to a piece of music. It involves prolonging a consonant note while the underlying harmony changes, creating dissonance that persists until the suspended note resolves by stepwise motion into a new consonant harmony.
Suspensions are classified by numbers that specify the interval distance of the suspended note and its resolution to the bass note. The most common suspensions are the 9-8, 7-6, 4-3, 2-3, and 6-5 suspensions.
Composers and songwriters often use suspensions to create a sense of anticipation and release in their music. By delaying the resolution of a dissonant note, they can build tension and create a more emotional impact when the note finally resolves.
Learning about suspensions is an important aspect of music theory, and it can help you better understand the music you listen to and create. With a basic understanding of suspensions, you can start to identify them in the music you hear and use them in your own compositions to create a more dynamic and emotional sound.
