False Relation - Music Theory

Music Matters
30 Jul 202007:38
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, music professor Gareth discusses 'false relations' - contradictions caused by having the same note names with conflicting accidentals, like F natural and F sharp, sounding simultaneously or in sequence. False relations can create interesting dissonance but were mostly avoided in classical harmony. They occurred more often in 16th century modal writing, due to 'musica ficta' accidentals corrupting modes. Modern composers use false relations purposefully for effect, but should understand their jarring impacts. Overall, false relations are interesting features that can add spice, but need careful handling.

Takeaways
  • 😀 A false relation in music is when there is a contradiction associated with one note, like an F natural and F sharp sounding together
  • 😯 An example of a false relation is having an F natural in one chord followed by an F sharp in the next chord
  • 🤔 False relations were common in 16th century music even though composers were still mainly writing in modes at the time
  • 🧐 The use of musica ficta, adding accidental sharps or flats, contributed to the occurrence of false relations back then
  • 😠 By the Baroque period, composers tried to avoid false relations to create smoother harmonic progressions
  • 😀 False relations can create a dissonant, clashing effect from the contradictory accidentals
  • 🤨 But some composers use false relations intentionally for an edgy, jazz-like chord sound
  • 😎 You need to be aware of false relations and consider their impact when composing music
  • 😕 A false relation often slightly grates on the ear due to the close proximity of the contradicting notes
  • 🙂 You can feature false relations as an interesting element in your own compositions if you like the effect
Q & A

  • What is a false relation in music?

    -A false relation in music is when there is a contradiction associated with one note, such as having an F natural and F sharp sounding together.

  • Why does a false relation create dissonance?

    -A false relation creates dissonance because it involves two conflicting accidentals on the same note name sounding simultaneously or in close proximity, which creates a clashing effect.

  • When did composers start using false relations?

    -Composers started using false relations in the 16th century when they began using musica ficta, which involved adding accidental sharps or flats that corrupted the church modes.

  • How did composers in the Baroque era treat false relations?

    -In the Baroque era, composers were much more aware of false relations and generally tried to avoid them to create smooth harmonic progressions without jarring effects.

  • What is an example of a simultaneous false relation?

    -An example is playing an F natural and F sharp together in the same chord, creating an audible contradiction.

  • What is an example of a successive false relation?

    -An example is having an F natural in one chord followed by an F sharp in the next chord, with the F naturals and F sharps in different octaves and parts.

  • Should false relations always be avoided?

    -Not necessarily - false relations can be used intentionally for effect, especially in some contemporary styles like jazz. But composers should be aware of their jarring impact.

  • How can false relations be useful?

    -False relations can add tension and color to music. Used judiciously, they can become an interesting feature rather than a mistake to avoid.

  • What is musica ficta?

    -Musica ficta refers to the practice in the Renaissance of adding accidentals not originally present in the music to alter the notes and corrupt the church modes to sound more modern.

  • How can you make harmonic progressions smooth?

    -To create smooth harmonic progressions, composers can watch out for and avoid false relations, which tend to make progressions sound jarring.

Outlines
00:00
😀 What is a false relation in music

A false relation in music refers to a contradiction associated with one note, such as having an F natural and F sharp sounding simultaneously. This creates a dissonant, clashing effect. Examples are provided of false relations within a chord and between subsequent chords.

05:01
😮 False relations used more commonly in past

False relations were used more commonly in the 16th century when composers were still mainly writing in modes. The introduction of musica ficta, adding accidental notes like B flat or C sharp to modes, often generated false relations. By the Baroque period composers tried to avoid them to create smoother harmonic progressions.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡false relation
A false relation refers to a musical contradiction associated with one note, where two instances of the same note letter name contain different accidentals, creating dissonance. For example, an F natural and F sharp sounding together. False relations were common in 16th century modal music but later avoided in Baroque harmony. The video discusses two types - simultaneous and between chords.
💡dissonance
Dissonance refers to a clash or musical instability between notes or chords. False relations create dissonance through the contradiction between accidentals of the same note letter name. The video demonstrates dissonance created by an F natural against an F sharp.
💡accidental
An accidental is a musical symbol that raises or lowers a note's pitch. Accidentals like sharps, flats and naturals contradict each other when applied to the same note letter name, creating false relations and dissonance.
💡musica ficta
Musica ficta refers to the practice in the 16th century of adding chromatic accidentals that went against the prevailing musical mode. This introduced false relations, which composers accepted more at that time.
💡chromatic
Chromatic refers to movement by half-steps rather than by whole steps of the prevailing scale. Musica ficta added chromatic notes like B flats and C sharps against the Dorian mode, creating false relations.
💡harmony
Harmony refers to the simultaneous combination of notes and chords. The video discusses how false relations create conflicts in harmony that Baroque composers sought to avoid through their harmonic progressions.
💡chord progression
A chord progression is a sequence of chords. The video demonstrates a chord progression with an F natural in one chord moving to an F sharp in the next chord, creating a false relation.
💡modulation
Modulation refers to a change from one key or harmony to another. While not directly mentioned, the movement from F major to D major in the video's example implies a brief modulation.
💡polyphony
Polyphony describes musical textures with two or more independent melodic parts. The video's examples feature both polyphony and false relations between simultaneous lines.
💡tonality
Tonality refers to the system of major and minor keys as the main organizing principle in Western music. The emergence of tonality led composers to avoid false relations that contradicted a sense of key.
Highlights

Highlight 1 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 2 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 3 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 4 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 5 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 6 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 7 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 8 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 9 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 10 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 11 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 12 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 13 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 14 extracted from the transcript

Highlight 15 extracted from the transcript

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

FDR, q-values vs p-values: multiple testing simply explained!

How to Change Key with One Note - Music Theory

True or False Quiz - Music Theory

Enharmonic Equivalents - Music Theory

The Liar Paradox - an explanation of the paradox from 400 BCE

Which Key is this Piece of Music in? - Music Theory

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating: