Music theory definition
Dissonance
A combination of notes that sounds tense and wants to move.
Hear an example
Play the example and listen for the idea described above.
Learn it in context
This term is introduced in Unit 5: Intervals. Work through the explanations and exercises to connect the definition with music.
- Measuring distance
An interval's number: count the letter names.
- Major and perfect intervals
The intervals found above the tonic of a major scale.
- Minor, augmented, diminished
Making intervals smaller and larger - and the tritone.
Related music terms
- Interval
- The distance between two notes, named by number (how many letters) and quality.
- Perfect interval
- Unisons, 4ths, 5ths, and octaves in their natural size. They sound open and stable.
- Major interval
- The larger form of a 2nd, 3rd, 6th or 7th - the size found above the tonic of a major scale.
- Minor interval
- A major interval made a half step smaller.
- Augmented
- A half step larger than perfect or major.
- Diminished
- A half step smaller than perfect or minor.