When we talk about the emotional impact of music, we're often referring to the feelings that different intervals can evoke. An interval, which is the distance between two notes, can significantly influence the mood of a piece of music. Understanding the emotional value of intervals is crucial for creating melodies that resonate with listeners. In this blog post, we'll explore resolved and unresolved intervals and how you can use them to enhance your melodic creations on the guitar.
Understanding Intervals
Before diving into their emotional significance, let's briefly define some common intervals:
Unison (Perfect 1st): Same note, no distance.
Minor 2nd: One half-step apart.
Major 2nd: Two half-steps apart.
Minor 3rd: Three half-steps apart.
Major 3rd: Four half-steps apart.
Perfect 4th: Five half-steps apart.
Tritone (Augmented 4th / Diminished 5th): Six half-steps apart.
Perfect 5th: Seven half-steps apart.
Minor 6th: Eight half-steps apart.
Major 6th: Nine half-steps apart.
Minor 7th: Ten half-steps apart.
Major 7th: Eleven half-steps apart.
Octave (Perfect 8th): Twelve half-steps apart.
Resolved vs. Unresolved Intervals
Resolved intervals create a sense of stability and completion. These intervals sound pleasing and tend to give a feeling of rest or resolution. Common resolved intervals include the perfect unison, perfect 5th, and octave.
Unresolved intervals, on the other hand, create tension and a sense of anticipation. They often sound dissonant and make the listener expect a resolution. Examples of unresolved intervals include the minor 2nd, tritone, and major 7th.
Emotional Value of Intervals
Minor 2nd: This interval is very dissonant and creates a sense of tension or unease. It’s often used to evoke feelings of suspense or discomfort. Think of the iconic theme from "Jaws" — those two notes a half-step apart instantly create a sense of impending danger.
Major 2nd: Slightly less tense than the minor 2nd, the major 2nd still has an unresolved quality. It's often used to add a sense of movement or instability.
Minor 3rd: This interval has a sad, melancholic feel. It’s a staple in minor chords and melodies, contributing to their overall emotional weight.
Major 3rd: The major 3rd is bright and happy. It’s essential in major chords and contributes to their uplifting sound.
Perfect 4th: This interval is somewhat neutral but can lean towards feeling unresolved, especially in melodic contexts. It has a strong, open sound.
Tritone: Highly dissonant and unstable, the tritone is often used to create tension that demands resolution. It’s famously referred to as the "devil’s interval" due to its unsettling sound.
Perfect 5th: This interval is very stable and consonant. It’s fundamental in creating a sense of resolution and completeness.
Minor 7th: Adds a sense of longing or unresolved tension. It's commonly found in dominant 7th chords, which resolve nicely to the tonic.
Major 7th: Very dissonant and unresolved, this interval has a distinctive tension that feels like it’s reaching out for resolution.
Octave: Pure and consonant, the octave is the ultimate resolution. It creates a sense of finality and completeness.
Practical Examples for Guitarists
To understand how these intervals play out on the guitar, let’s look at some simple examples.
Example 1: Creating Tension with the Tritone
Play the open A string (5th string) and then play the 6th fret of the D string (4th string). This creates a tritone interval. Notice how tense and dissonant it sounds. Now resolve this interval by moving to the 7th fret of the D string, creating a perfect 5th with the open A string. Feel how the tension resolves into a stable sound.
Example 2: Using the Major 3rd for a Happy Melody
Start with the open G string (3rd string) and play the 4th fret of the G string. This creates a major 3rd interval. The sound is bright and uplifting. Use this interval to craft a cheerful melody by moving around the G major scale, emphasizing the major 3rd intervals.
Example 3: Conveying Sadness with the Minor 3rd
Play the open B string (2nd string) and the 3rd fret of the B string. This minor 3rd interval has a melancholic feel. Use it within the context of a minor chord progression to evoke sadness or introspection.
Conclusion
Understanding the emotional value of intervals can transform your approach to melody creation. By consciously using resolved and unresolved intervals, you can craft melodies that deeply resonate with your audience. As guitarists, experimenting with these intervals on the fretboard can lead to new and exciting musical discoveries. So grab your guitar and explore the vast emotional landscape that intervals offer. Happy playing!