What is consonance in music?

Study for the NCEA Level 2 Music Exam. Prepare with flashcards, multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get exam-ready and ace your test!

Consonance in music refers to a combination of tones that are perceived as stable, pleasant, and harmonious when played together. This concept revolves around how certain intervals and chords create a sense of resolution and comfort in music. When two or more pitches sound good together, they are described as consonant, which is often in contrast to dissonance, where the combination of tones creates tension or a need for resolution.

When examining the choices, the first choice involves dissonant tones, which inherently contradicts the idea of consonance, as consonance is defined by agreeable sound. The third option refers to a style that promotes tension, aligning more with dissonance rather than the stability of consonance. The last choice focuses on rhythm patterns, which are unrelated to the concept of harmony and pitch relationships that define consonance. Therefore, the definition of consonance as the combination of agreeable tones captures its essence accurately.

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