Summary: Contrasting elements, such as bridges and counterpoints, are used to enhance music. Learn more about contrast in music in this free music appreciation video.
Duane Carter is a musician, writer and librarian from Los Angeles, Calif. He studied trumpet at Locke High School with jazz greats Bobby Bryant, Sr. and Oscar Brashear. Carter has...read more
"Hello! My name is Duane Carter and on behalf of Expert Village, I am going to be talking today about learning how to listen to and appreciate music. Opposites attract is more than a cliche with music. Fortunately we talk about contrasts in music, it does not equate one being good and the other being bad. Whenever a composer uses contrasting elements, it is to enhance the music or bring out something different. This enhancement may be arrhythmic change, a new melodic line or different harmonizations. Maybe even variations in the timbre. The most common example of contrast in a piece of music is the bridge or middle section of a piece. Here you will find a section of music that is either harmonically, melodically arrhythmic different from the first section. As you become a more active listener, you will hear other techniques employed to show contrast. The most of these is the use of counterpoint. Counterpoint is the technique used where lines are developed that pose in contrast the original melody. "
eHow Article: What is Contrast in Music?
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