Chapter 3: Chord Progressions and Harmony

Suspended and Tension Chords

Suspended and tension chords are essential tools for adding emotional depth, movement, and anticipation in Deep Wave music. These types of chords allow producers to introduce complexity and nuance into chord progressions, engaging listeners and enhancing overall compositions. This chapter explores the roles of suspended and tension chords, how to effectively use them, and the emotional qualities they evoke.

1. Understanding Suspended Chords

Suspended chords are defined by the absence of a third and the inclusion of either the second (sus2) or fourth (sus4) degree of the scale. This alteration creates an open sound that is neither major nor minor, perfect for building suspense or preparing for resolution.

a. Types of Suspended Chords:

  • Sus2 Chords: Replacing the third with the second degree. For example, C sus2 consists of the notes C, D, and G.
  • Sus4 Chords: Replacing the third with the fourth degree. For instance, C sus4 consists of the notes C, F, and G.

2. Purpose of Suspended Chords

a. Creating Anticipation:

  • Tension Building: Suspended chords can create a sense of longing and anticipation, making them ideal for transitions leading into more stable triads (e.g., moving from Csus4 to C major).
  • Melodic Hooks: Incorporating suspended chords in melodic lines can enhance the emotional response during a chorus or a poignant moment in your track, allowing for smoother resolutions.

b. Maintaining Interest:

  • Textural Variety: Using suspended chords in place of standard triads creates unique harmonic movement, preventing chord progressions from becoming stale or predictable.
  • Evolving Themes: Create tension and release by alternating between suspended and resolved chords. This technique is particularly effective in developing musical phrases throughout your arrangement.

3. Incorporating Suspended Chords in Progressions

a. Common Progressions with Suspended Chords:

  1. I – IV – V: You can play around with suspended versions of these chords. For example, using Csus4 - F - G enhances the richness of this familiar progression.
  2. ii – V – I: Applying suspended chords can create a compelling feel. For instance, Dm7 - Gsus4 - Cmaj7 introduces tension before resolution.

b. Voice Leading with Suspended Chords:

  • Smooth Transitions: Ensure the movement between suspended chords and their resolved counterparts (the major or minor chords) flows naturally. This creates a balanced harmonic structure and helps retain listener interest.
  • Common Tones: Maintain common tones in your voice leading to further enrich transitions and create cohesion within the progression.

4. Understanding Tension Chords

Tension chords commonly refer to chords that generate a sense of unresolved harmony. They can include added extensions such as 7ths, 9ths, and even altered notes that create dissonance, enriching the emotional landscape of a piece.

a. Types of Tension Chords:

  • Seventh Chords: These chords add the seventh degree to triads, e.g., C7 adds B flat to C major, creating a tension that begs for resolution.
  • Ninth Chords: Adding the ninth degree brings another layer of complexity. For example, C9 includes the notes C, E, G, Bb, and D.
  • Altered Chords: Altering certain notes (e.g., b9, #11) introduces a strong sense of tension that can be resolved in interesting ways.

5. Purpose of Tension Chords

a. Heightening Emotional Impact:

  • Creating Dissonance: The use of tension chords adds emotional weight to compositions, making the listener feel anticipation or anxiety before the resolution.
  • Evolving Atmospheric Depth: Incorporating tension chords can craft complex soundscapes, driving forward momentum in your track while opening a space for breathing room and release.

b. Engaging Transitions:

  • Dynamic Movement: Use tension chords to build momentum leading into major transitions or drops in a Deep Wave track—perfect for transitional phrases or build-ups.
  • Colorful Resolutions: Using tension chords allows for unexpected resolutions, bringing a sense of surprise and freshness when returning to more stable harmonies.

6. Incorporating Tension Chords in Your Compositions:

  • Practice Transitioning: Experiment with moving between tension chords and stable chords within your progressions. For example, moving from Cmaj7 (a tension chord) back to a stable tone can create satisfaction and excitement.
  • Try Unresolved Endings: Leaving sections unresolved with tension chords can create anticipation, setting listeners up for a more impactful resolution when it arrives.

Conclusion

Suspended and tension chords are powerful tools in the dynamic sound palette of Deep Wave music. By understanding their roles and applications, you can add emotional depth and create engaging harmonic progressions that captivate your audience. In the next chapter, we will explore melody construction and the interplay between melody and harmony, enhancing the overall expressiveness of your compositions.