Why compose with clashing notes?

Since I joined this forum. I've noticed that a lot of the more modern compositions by people using this forum seem to use clashing notes. But Why? I just don't seem to be able to appreciate it. I'd really like to understand what it is that makes people want to compose in this way. If I understood the reasons for composing in this way then I would like to try composing in this style.

If you sometimes compose with discords and clashing notes could you explain why?

musical baby food.

Also, see my signature.

musical baby food.

Also, see my signature.

Are you implying that "clashing notes" can't be sweet?

To answer that question you need to a little bit about music history and music evolution and start listening to more music. That is where you will find your "why".

What's a "clashing note"?

I guess he means minor 2nds.

I'm talking about minor and major 2nds and 7ths. What I don't understand is how a piece of music consisting of discords be good to listen too.

I'm talking about minor and major 2nds and 7ths. What I don't understand is how a piece of music consisting of discords be good to listen too.

Like Bach or Monteverdi or Marenzio or Mozart or Brahms or Mahler or Ligeti?

What about music utilizing other intervals like schismas or Pythagorean limmas and commas or Septimal commas and sixth-tones? Equal tempered eight-tones and 11th tones or Just minor seconds... 23 different Just minor seconds!?

EDIT:

What about music using neutral seconds and thirds!? Or 5-limit wolf fourths and fifths? Or Pythagorean major thirds?! Or Holdrian commas?! Or millioctaves? Or cents!? Or tritaves!?

Are you implying that "clashing notes" can't be sweet?

I don't think it's right in any way to call more cadential music "baby food". I think all harmonies and harmonic languages are equal and have their place. Calling I-V "baby food" is just as ignorant as asking why we use "clashing notes" in music.

Speaking of which, how do I get it to say "Composition is sexy." under my avatar?

I actually had this same question when I began composing, and I think it's a simple answer. I got to a certain position when I was composing and I wanted a certain sound to achieve a mood/effect/etc. and the sound was a crunchy chord using a minor or major 2nd and other added tones. As you continue composing you will gather more and more tools in order to express yourself more fully. It's what I love about composing, taking a certain palate of sounds and using them in specific ways to achieve a particular sound. You'll see as you move through composition that those dissonances your ear can't stand at first become easier to handle, and then essential to the structure of the sound. Don't shy away from something just because is isn't immediately pleasing to the ear. Take the time to explore what is going on, and why it's being used.

I think all harmonies and harmonic languages are equal and have their place.

Great, when can we expect your next 25 string quartets done as Indian ragas or in gamelan tuning?

Flint,

Which gamelan tuning? Slendro or pelog? Keep in mind that these are also different from gamelan to gamelan... so which tuning from which gamelan?!

@charlie ->

edit your profile and edit the user title under 'Custom user title'

I dunno how to make it bold though....

@ shpena

You are a beautiful human being.

Alright, but lets get serious here.

Bruno, read this.

Then we'll talk.

Mozart didn't use dischords without resolving them or having a good reason for using them. Good music can often include dischords. They can be fantastic for creating tention, but what I don't understand is music which is full of dischords from begining to end, if dischords are sopposed to be unplesant then why are they used in this way. Could anyone explain this?

Alright, but lets get serious here.

Bruno, read this.

Then we'll talk.

Ok I'll get reading

Mozart didn't use dischords without resolving them or having a good reason for using them.

See K. 522.

Contemporary composers have plenty of good reasons.

See K. 522.

Contemporary composers have plenty of good reasons.

I've listened to K.552, these discords where resolved, I said that Mozart would never use discords without resolving them.

Most certainly not. Some of the music I consider to be the most beautiful is also extremely (for those still suckling on baby food music) 'discordant'.

Whats wrong with liking music because it's pretty and it movesy ou? My band director always makes us play the most BEAUTIFUL eric whitacre pieces do you hate him too? Do you know the song October by eric whitacre? It's so pretty it reminds me of the film scores by james horner like in A Clear In Present Danger. Do you know that movie? It stars harrison ford.

@Bruno

But it's polytonal just like many 20th cent. pieces!

@homemoviesbrendan

"Pretty" and "beautiful" are such BS, cop-out terms. They mean nothing. But lets not repeat other threads in here.

Whats wrong with liking music because it's pretty and it movesy ou? My band director always makes us play the most BEAUTIFUL eric whitacre pieces do you hate him too? Do you know the song October by eric whitacre? It's so pretty it reminds me of the film scores by james horner like in A Clear In Present Danger. Do you know that movie? It stars harrison ford.

There's nothing wrong with liking discordant music.

I'm just interested in what it is that people like about it and how discords can be used without sounding like mistakes or just bad music.

If beautifyul music doesn't matter than what's the point of life? When i listen to music it impacts me and empowers me and makes me into what Nietzsche called the UBERMENSCH and doing this is all that matters in music. Haven't you heard a song and started to cry? Dissonance only does that like shooting yourself in the heart does.

There's nothing wrong with liking discordant music.

I'm just interested in what it is that people like about it and how discords can be used without sounding like mistakes or just bad music.

You should listen to eric whitacre, he makes dissonance but it's so beautiful