'I think the origin of all this clamour for tonality is not so much the need to sense a relationship to the tonic, as a need for familiar chords: let us be frank and say 'for the triad'; and I believe I have good reason to say that just so long as a certain kind of music contains enough such triads, it causes no offence, even if in other ways it most violently clashes with the sacred laws of tonality.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author argues people seek familiar triads in music rather than strict tonality rules.
- In plain terms
- Listeners prefer familiar chords over complex tonal rules.
- What can you take from it?
- Familiarity in music is often more important than strict rules.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do listeners prefer familiar sounds?
- What makes music pleasing?
Another view
Some listeners may prefer complexity over familiarity.
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