sound sharpening - Harmonics - Philipp Dangas

„Form building harmony and instrumentation“ [ 1/4 ]

Musical shaping means relating elements to others. First of all, boundaries have to be defined so that the musical formation succeeds.

The structure is an important point. But the occurrence of at least 2 elements is required to structure form. You have to be able to differentiate yourself. Chords as an example can have different relationships to each other …

General information about sound sharpening

A sharpening of the sound with purely instrumental means is easily possible. As an example, achievable through the appropriate color combination. But also through the possibility of altering one or more tones. Primarily refers to a coherent chord connection.

Sound sharpening in the context of „symphonic world music“

The ability to sharpen the sound means to accentuate or disguise it. Using purely instrumental means, create stubbornly dissonant fortisimo passages and catastrophic climaxes. But also the realization of a dominant framework of combined pedal point and sustained note and the like. And not only from a purely technical point of view, but also from an aesthetic point of view.

Sound sharpening demonstrated by example

In the following example, the fifth of the B major chord is emphasized or sharpened via the instrumentation. The intensification of the sound is produced by the tonal color combination of Cor anglais and viola and the cello.

This chord stands at the end of the phrase to Alberich's words: "Was it only so easy to acquire the art of forging it?" in Scene 4 of Richard Wagner's Rheingold.

The Cor anglais and after it the violas and cellos emphasize the small F sharp. The diminished seventh chord that follows draws more attention because of the low alteration of the fifth (»f«). Represents the transition to the seventh chord.

In addition, the tonic feeling is blurred. Parallel to an intensification of the sound, the sound is made less clear or veiled.