Unresolved Leading Tone: A leading tone is the seventh scale degree that typically resolves to the tonic. An unresolved leading tone occurs when it fails to resolve to the expected tonic, creating tension and anticipation.

Context and Significance

In music theory, the unresolved leading tone is a crucial concept, especially in Western tonal music. It is often utilized to generate tension, suspense, and emotional depth within a composition. This musical device is prevalent in both classical and contemporary genres, providing composers and performers with a tool to evoke anticipation or surprise. Instruments like the piano and violin often exploit unresolved leading tones to heighten expressiveness in solos and ensemble pieces.

Historical Background

The concept of the unresolved leading tone has roots in the Baroque period, where it was frequently used to create tension before a resolution. Composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel employed this technique to enhance musical drama. Its use became more pronounced during the Romantic era, as composers sought to push traditional harmonic boundaries and explore new emotional territories.

Examples

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 is a notable example where unresolved leading tones are used to create dramatic tension. In the works of Franz Schubert, unresolved leading tones frequently contribute to the melancholic and suspenseful qualities of his lieder. Contemporary film scores, such as those by Hans Zimmer, also use unresolved leading tones to maintain suspense and engage listeners emotionally.

Related Terms

Tonic: The first scale degree, often the resolution point of a leading tone.

Cadence: A sequence of chords that concludes a phrase, often involving leading tones.

Suspension: A musical technique that delays a note’s resolution, similar to unresolved leading tones.

« Back to Glossary Index