Tension and Resolution in Blues Music

The blues is a musical genre that is all about tension and resolution. The tension is created by the minor key tonality and the unresolved chord progressions, while the resolution comes from the release of that tension through the use of major key tonality and resolutions.

Introduction

In music, tension is often created by the juxtaposition of opposing elements, such as two conflicting melodic lines or two clashing rhythms. This tension creates a sense of anticipation in the listener, which is then resolved when the opposing elements are brought back into harmony or alignment.

In Blues music, tension and resolution are often used to create a feeling of yearning or longing, which is central to the genre. The most common way this is achieved is through the use of “blue notes” – slightly dissonant notes that create a sense of tension when played against the tonic (main) note of a song. These blue notes are usually resolved by simply returning to the tonic note, creating a sense of resolution and release for the listener.

There are other ways that tension and resolution can be used in Blues music, such as through extended chord progressions or by resolving chords on different root notes than where they began. However, the use of blue notes is by far the most common and essential element of this musical style.

What is tension and resolution?

In music, tension is a perceived pull toward a resolution. The concept of tension and resolution is an important one in many musical styles, especially western tonal music, and it’s something that you can hear and feel in the music itself.

Tension can be created by many different musical elements: by the way a melody line leads to a climactic note, by harmonic dissonance, by rhythmical suspense or by timbre. In fact, anything that pulls away from or deviates from what has come before can create a sense of tension.

Resolution, on the other hand, is when that tension is released. It can be achieved through many means as well, but often happens when the music comes to rest on a stable harmony or returns to the home tonic after exploring other harmonic areas.

One of the most bluesy uses of tension and resolution happens when the music pulls away from the tonic chord (the chord built on the first note of the scale) and then resolves back to it. This back-and-forth between “home” and “away” creates a feeling of yearning or longing, which is often associated with the blues.

Tension and resolution in the 12-bar blues

In music, tension is often created by the contrast between two different elements. For example, in a major chord, the third degree of the scale creates tension because it is a half step away from the root. This tension is then resolved when the third degree resolves back to the tonic (root) note.

In the 12-bar blues, tension is created by the use of blue notes. These are notes that are played “out of key” or “outside of the scale”. The most common blue note is the flat fifth (b5). This note creates tension because it is a whole step away from the root note.

The resolution of this tension usually happens on the last note of the phrase (or chorus), which is often the root note or tonic. However, sometimes the resolution can happen on other notes, such as the fifth or fourth degree of the scale.

Tension and resolution in other blues subgenres

Tension and resolution is a central concept in blues music, as it is in all music. The concept is simple: tension (or dissonance) creates a sense of anticipation, and when that tension is released (or resolved), it provides relief and a sense of satisfaction. This musical principle is often used to create interest, excitement, and drama in a song, and it is one of the key elements that make blues music so emotionally powerful.

While the tension and resolution principle is most often associated with the 12-bar blues form, it also plays an important role in other blues subgenres, such as Boogie-Woogie, Gospel Blues, and New Orleans Blues. In fact, any type of music that has a feeling of forward motion or progression will make use of tension and resolution to some degree.

Conclusion

Tension and resolution are two important aspects of music that help to create interest and keep listeners engaged. By using tension and resolving it, composers can add excitement and a sense of forward motion to their music. In the blues, tension is often created by lengthening the duration of certain notes or chords, or by adding chromatic notes that don’t belong to the key. Resolution happens when the tension is released by going back to more stable sounding notes or chords.

While tension and resolution are important elements of all music, they are especially important in the blues. The blues is a genre that is known for its emotional content, and tension and resolution are two of the most effective ways to create and release emotion in music. If you’re interested in learning more about how to use tension and resolution in your own music, there are many resources available online and in print.