Class - what do I mean when I use the word tonality? How is the tonality defined by the harmony and melody?
http://www.answers.com/tonality
thanks for the link. i actually looked at that before i posted the question but it didn't seem to help me. it defines tonality but i don't really understand the second question.
I should think that, if a harmony or melody is intended to be light-hearted or even humorous, the tonality would reflect those. And if a harmony or melody is intended to be gloomy and funereal, the tonality would reflect those, too. How would those different emotions be reflected, do you think?
When we use the word "tonality," we are referring to the overall musical character or quality of a piece of music. It describes the relationship between different pitches or tones within a musical composition. Tonality is determined primarily by two elements: harmony and melody.
Harmony refers to the combination of different notes played or sung simultaneously, creating chords. Chords are the building blocks of harmony and establish the harmonic framework for a piece of music. The specific chords used in a composition contribute to its tonality. For example, a piece that predominantly uses major chords will generally have a bright and cheerful tonality, while one that utilizes minor chords might evoke a more melancholic or somber tonality. The harmonic language employed in a composition greatly influences its overall tonal character.
Melody, on the other hand, refers to the series of individual tones or pitches played or sung successively. Melodies consist of a sequence of notes that create a sense of melodic direction and shape. The intervals, rhythmic patterns, and contours of a melody contribute to the tonality of a piece. For instance, melodies with many large intervals or ones that extensively use chromaticism (notes outside the key) may result in a more complex or dissonant tonality. Conversely, melodies with stepwise motion, consonant intervals, and clear resolution can create a more consonant or stable tonality.
In summary, tonality is defined by the harmony and melody within a piece of music. The chords used and their progressions establish the harmonic framework, while the melodic characteristics, such as intervals and contours, contribute to the overall tonal quality. Analyzing these elements can help us understand and describe the tonality of a musical composition.