Relationships between notes

The way in which the notes are arranged is very important for the soundscape of the piece. A piece can be tonal, for example, the scale can be defined by the composer, or the internal chord structure of the notes can be used as a basis, as in spectral music. Below are a few examples of different ways in which notes can be arranged.

Images: Satu Simola
 

In tonal music, the key has a tonic, a "home base" from which the music departs and to which it returns. Each of the seven notes in the key has its own meaning. We talk about the power of chords. Effect means that the chord is expected to move in a certain direction – one chord is very likely to be followed by a certain other chord. Composers can express a lot by changing the relationships between chords. In classical symphonies, keys are a central part of the structure of the different movements.