Chromatic mediants have found their way into numerous movie soundtracks, enhancing the emotional impact of key moments in films. These unexpected chord progressions create a sense of tension and uniqueness, capturing the audience’s attention and evoking powerful feelings. From epic adventure movies to heartfelt dramas, chromatic mediants have become a favourite tool for composers to craft captivating and unforgettable musical moments on the silver screen.
The Basics of Chromatic Mediants
Chromatic mediants are essentially chords that are related to each other by a major or minor third, but are not part of the same diatonic scale. This intriguing relationship between chords is what gives chromatic mediants their distinctive, often dramatic, sound.
While the use of chromatic mediants can enhance a musical composition, it also presents certain challenges. One of the main issues is that they can disrupt the tonal centre of a piece, making it sound disjointed or confusing. This is because they introduce notes that are not part of the key signature. On the other hand, this very quality can also be seen as a benefit, as it allows for greater harmonic variety and can help to create a sense of tension or surprise.
The Effect of Chromatic Mediants in a Piece of Music
Using chromatic mediants in a composition can create a sense of:
- surprise or unpredictability, as the listener may not anticipate the sudden shift in harmony.
- resolution or closure, as the chromatic mediant can provide a satisfying resolution to a tense or unresolved harmonic progression.
- continuity or progression, as the chromatic mediant can provide a smooth transition between two different harmonic areas.
Like any musical tool, chromatic mediants should be used carefully. Overuse can lead to a sense of harmonic instability or confusion, as the listener may struggle to follow the progression of the music.
The Relationship Between Chromatic Mediants and Key Signatures
Major chromatic mediants
Minor chromatic mediants
These are found by moving up or down a minor third from the root of a minor chord. For example, in the key of C minor, the chromatic mediants would be E minor, Eb minor, A minor and Ab minor.
It’s important to note that chromatic mediants often result in a key change, or modulation, within a piece of music. This is because they introduce notes that are not found in the original key signature.
How Chromatic Mediants Impact Musical Emotion and Mood
In the table below, we have two columns: one for the initial chord and one for the chromatic mediant. The third column describes the emotional effect of the transition.
Initial Chord | Chromatic Mediant | Emotional Effect |
A Flat Major | Surprise, intrigue | |
E Flat Major | Melancholy, longing | |
B Flat Major | Excitement, anticipation |
As the table illustrates, chromatic mediants can significantly influence the emotional landscape of a piece of music.
Famous Examples of Chromatic Mediants
One cannot discuss chromatic mediants without mentioning the works of Richard Wagner. His operas, particularly Tristan und Isolde, are replete with these harmonic shifts. Wagner’s use of chromatic mediants contributes to the emotional intensity and dramatic tension of his music. His innovative use of these harmonic relationships has influenced countless composers and continues to be a topic of study for music theorists.
John Williams, the renowned film composer, has also made extensive use of chromatic mediants. His iconic Star Wars themes, for instance, are built on these harmonic relationships. The use of chromatic mediants in these themes contributes to their epic and heroic character.
Finally, the music of the late Romantic composer Gustav Mahler provides numerous examples of chromatic mediants. Mahler’s symphonies are known for their emotional depth and complexity, and his use of chromatic mediants contributes to this. His Symphony No. 2, also known as the Resurrection Symphony, is a prime example. The use of chromatic mediants in this work contributes to its profound sense of struggle and eventual triumph.
TIP: To better understand and appreciate the use of chromatic mediants in these works, it can be helpful to follow along with a score or use a music analysis app. This will allow you to see the harmonic relationships in context and understand how they contribute to the overall structure and emotional impact of the music.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between chromatic mediants and diatonic mediants?
Chromatic mediants and diatonic mediants are both types of mediant relationships in music. The main difference is that chromatic mediants involve a change in key, while diatonic mediants do not.
2. Can chromatic mediants be used in any genre of music?
Yes, chromatic mediants can be used in any genre of music. They are a versatile musical tool that can add depth and complexity to a piece, regardless of the genre. They are commonly used in classical music, but can also be found in jazz, pop, rock and other genres.
3. Are there any rules for using chromatic mediants?
There are no strict rules for using chromatic mediants, but there are some guidelines that can help. For example, they are typically used to create a sense of movement or progression in a piece. They should also be used sparingly, as overuse can make a piece sound disjointed or chaotic.
4. What are some common mistakes to avoid when using chromatic mediants?
One mistake is not properly resolving the chromatic mediant, which can leave the listener feeling unsatisfied. It’s also important to ensure that the chromatic mediant fits with the overall key and mood of the piece.
5. How do chromatic mediants affect the tonality of a piece?
Chromatic mediants can greatly affect the tonality of a piece. They can introduce new keys and tonal centres, creating a sense of movement and progression.