Tension and Resolution by Ear

Summary

Tension and resolution describe how music creates movement and emotional shape. Some notes, intervals, and moments feel unstable and create a sense of pull, while others feel settled and complete. This guide focuses on learning to hear these relationships by ear and understanding how they guide melodic and harmonic direction before formal theory is introduced.

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What Creates Tension

Tension occurs when a note, chord, or musical moment feels unstable or unfinished. This instability creates a sense of pull toward another sound. Tension is not a mistake or problem. It is a natural and necessary part of musical movement.

What Resolution Feels Like

Resolution is the release of tension. It occurs when music arrives at a sound that feels settled, complete, or at rest. Resolution often feels like an answer to a musical question that was created earlier.

Hearing Pull and Release

Some notes feel like they want to move somewhere else. Others feel like they could end a phrase comfortably. Learning to recognize this pull and release is central to hearing tension and resolution by ear.

This awareness develops through listening rather than memorization. Repeated exposure to these sounds trains the ear to anticipate where music wants to go.

Application on Bass and Guitar

On bass, tension and resolution are often heard through note choice against the harmony. On guitar, they may appear in melodic lines, chord voicings, or phrase endings. In both cases, understanding tension helps guide when to move and when to resolve.