In any chord progression, certain combinations evoke a familiar, comforting sense of stability, while others, more unstable, create tensions to resolve or or more abstract dissonances. An octave can be divided into 12 equal semitones. These 12 notes can offer an almost infinite palette of combinations.
Learning to identify the different affects or moods created by consonant (stable) and dissonant (unstable) sounds.
Imagine that you have a box of crayons with 12 different colors, just like the 12 notes that divide the octave. Within this color palette, certain combinations are complementary and result in a harmonious outcome, while other combinations may clash visually. In this example, Webern treats each note and chord like a brushstroke on a canvas.
