Music Composition Techniques 2: Tension & Release

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When most people think of a composer, they imagine someone sitting in a dusty attic with a grand piano, big white wig, and the year is 1800. That might have been accurate back then, but the modern composer is just like you and me. In fact, I am one.

In this course I’ll show you techniques I use for writing music in a variety of styles and situations. I’ve worked with major American orchestras, film studios, and video game designers, so I’ve got more than a little experience. I’m also a PhD in music composition and a university professor (of music composition).

Recently I was named as a semi-finalist for the Grammy Foundation’s Music Educator of the Year award because of my in-person university classes. Now I’m taking those classes to Udemy in an online format in order to reach more students, and give them the joy of Music Theory.

I’m planning on making several “sections” of this class, and this is Part 2. As the class grows, we will go deeper and deeper into my techniques. This class is focused on the creating a sense of Tension and Release: one of the most fundamental concepts in music composition.

What will I learn in this Course?

  • My background, and listen to some of my music
  • Why Tension and Release?
  • Tools of the trade: Software
  • Tools of the trade: Pencils and fine paper
  • Long Term and Short Term Tensions
  • Using Form for Tension and Release
  • Forms that Create Drama
  • Sonata Form
  • The 4 Elements of Form
  • Example: Mozart, Moonlight Sonata
  • Composing with Sonata Form
  • Modern Uses of Sonata Form
  • Example: Muse, Butterflies and Hurricans
  • Tension and Release with Meter
  • Compound Meters
  • Meter Signatures
  • Alternating Compound and Duple Meters
  • Using Rhythm for Altering Expectations
  • Rhythmic Patterns
  • Pattern Obfuscation
  • Example: Philip Glass, Truman Show Soundtrack
  • Example: Allen, Aporia
  • Using Harmony for Tension and Release
  • Consonance and Dissonance
  • Prolonging Dominant
  • Emphasized Resolution
  • Pedal Tones
  • Moving “Pedal Tones”
  • Example: Aphex Twin, Ventolin
  • Combining Multiple Techniques
  • Example: Mozart, Sonata in C
  • Example: Allen, Angel of Repose
  • Film Music and Tension Cues
  • Composing for Films
  • Any much, much, more!

About the Instructor

J. Anthony Allen is an Ableton Certified Trainer, and a PhD in Music Composition and master of Electronic Sounds. His music has been heard internationally in film, radio, video games, and industrial sound, as well as the concert hall and theater.

He currently is an adjunct professor of composition at the University of St. Thomas, and is the CEO and co-founder of Slam Academy in Minneapolis.

Praise for classes by J. Anthony Allen

“Without a doubt the best explanation and east of use that one can get. It leaves you enough room to go explore. The classes go by quick, so you can be on your way at being proficient. What are you wait for!”

“Amazing – Seriously Loved It! I took all his courses and have to say I’m so happy! Learnt loads! Jason is an awesome teacher!”

“I have never had any formal training in music at all. Trying to learn all the notes and how everything translated was a serious challenge. After going through this class, Dr. J has totally brought down the barriers. The content was very useful and was easy to grasp for me.”

“I like these courses because you can get up and running quickly without having to spend hours of time wading through TMI (too much information!). Jason hits the high points but shows you what you need to know. Thanks!”

“I’ve watched many other videos on scales and chords before, however, this one has been the best. I now understand minor scales and chords and even how to analyze songs. It really gave me the confidence to start producing music because I feel like I have some structure and guidelines to follow. AWESOME!”

“Clear and Informative – Jason has a clear uncluttered style (with the important dashes of humor) of presentation that is focused on the important key aspects of this course. Recommended for those starting out!”

“Dr. Allen does it again with his music theory series. This course really opened up everything I learned from the 1st section, and now I understand more about the composition side of things for music. I highly highly recommend this course to anyone!!! Really opened my eyes to many things I wasn’t aware of.”

“The Best Teacher Ever, who makes you understand the ins & outs of Music Theory by all means without giving what you don’t want to know.”

Course Information

Estimated Time: 3.75 Hours

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Course Instructor

Jay Allen Author

J. Anthony Allen is an Ableton Certified Trainer, and a PhD in Music Composition and master of Electronic Sounds. His music has been heard internationally in film, radio, video games, and industrial sound, as well as the concert hall and theater. He currently is an adjunct professor of composition at the University of St. Thomas, and is the CEO and co-founder of Slam Academy in Minneapolis.

 

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Welcome & Overview

Introduction

Welcome to the course!
My Background

Before we go to deep into the weeds here, let me tell you a little bit about my background.
Why Tension and Release?

Why is this such a major topic? You will find that it informs nearly every compositional decision you make.
Review: Tools

The tools of the trade – I’ll walk you through them in this lesson.
Download: Staff Paper

Here is some staff paper for you to use. Print out a few copies and keep it handy.
Review: The Process of Composing

A quick review from the first class in this series on methods.

Tension & Release in Form

Long Term and Short Term

To start, let’s look at a few different ways of looking at tension.
Forms That We Know So Far

We’ve looked at a few different formal constructs in my other classes. These are the ones we know so far.
Forms that Create Drama

You wouldn’t think it, but you can actually create tension just by using form. Some forms work better than others.
Sonata Form

One of the most common forms to use for tension and release is the Sonata Form.
The 4 Elements of Sonata Form

Sonata Form can be broken down into 4 elements. Learning them will have you using it in no time.
Sonata Form Examples

Let’s look at some examples of Sonata Form.
Using Sonata Form for Tension and Release

Now let’s look at how we can use this in any style of music.
Download: Moonlight Sonata

Here are the files for the piece we were using in the last example if you want to play with them.
Modern Uses of Form for Tension

Let’s look at some more modern examples next.
Example: Muse (Butterflies and Hurricanes)

This song is a great example of form for tension.

Tension & Release in Meter

Meter and Tension

What does meter have to do with Tension?
Stylistic Concerns

Using odd meters doesn’t work in all styles, but there are some ways around that.
Compound Meters

Let’s look at how compound meters work.
Compound Meter Definition

This can be a tricky topic to explain (and understand), so let’s just put a definition on the table first.
Compound Meter Signatures

Let’s look at meter signatures now.
Another Perspective

Let’s take a look at all of this again, from a different angle.
Alternating Compound and Duple Meters for Tension

Next, let’s see how using both compound and duple meters can create tension.

Tension & Release in Rhythm

Rhythmic Patterns

Rhythm can play an important role in tension and release. Let’s look at how you can play with it first.
Pattern Obfuscation

This is a little trick I like to do to create tension with rhythm.
Example: Philip Glass (From the Soundtrack to The Truman Show)

This is a great example of pattern obfuscation.
Download: Glass, Truman Sleeps

Here are the files for that song, if you want to play around with it.
Example: Aporia

Here is another example, this time in a track of mine.

Tension & Release in Harmony

Consonance and Dissonance

Usually, when we think of tension in harmony we think of dissonance.
Prolonged Dominant

Using a prolonged dominant is a great form of tension in a track.
Emphasized Resolution

Another trick to create a sense of tension and release.
Pedal Tones

Pedal Tones can make anything dark and full of tension. Resolving them can make it feel like the sky just opened up.
Long Resolution of Pedal Tones

The longer the better!
Pedal Tones in Higher Voices

The pedal tone doesn’t always need to be in the bass.
Example: Aphex Twin, Ventolin

This is one of my all-time favorite examples of a prolonged pedal.

Combining Techniques

Using Multiple Techniques

If you really want some tension, use multiple techniques.
Download: Sonata in C, Mozart

Here is the example from the previous lesson.
Example: Kinesthesia, Movement 7

Another example, this time one of my own.
Film Music and Tension Techniques

The world of film scoring has all kinds of special techniques for this same purpose.
Composing Music for Films

Let’s look at some film scoring techniques.

Wrap Up

Coming Soon: Composition Techniques 3: Composing for Film

Stay Tuned!
Thanks & Bye!

That’s it for now!

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