Resolution

One of the most creative sounds in music is when a composer is able to resolve a chord. The chord starts out sounding as though the pitches are fighting each other, this is called dissonance. The listener hates this sound, but it makes the resolved pitches sound even better. To resolve the chord, the dissonance is ended by balancing out the wavelengths of the pitches. This is done by changing the notes in the chord such that their frequencies create regular harmonies such as a third and a fifth. The physics behind resolving a chord is extensive, but at the same time straight forward. The frequencies of the pitches that create dissonance are so close together, almost the same, that the waves created make a sound that could be compared to the notes fighting with each other, and to some extent this is true. The pitches don't want each other to change frequency, but the listener desperately does. This is the reason why resonance sounds so good. Once the pitches stop "fighting," once the pitches frequencies are in pattern with each other, the conventional chord sounds a thousand times better being played right after dissonance.