The Music of Hindostan c11.114

c11.114

Both these peculiarities, a preference for conjunct over disjunct motion, and unusual sequences in conjunct motion, are made possible and almost demanded by the absence of harmony. They are demanded as a means of contrast. Motion through the notes of a chord, when there is no idea of forming chords at all, does not give enough contrast; E and G say more or less the same thing as C. And again, when the ear has become accustomed to the sound of F♯ G A♭—a note with an upward and downward leading note—to pass direct from F♯ to A♭ is a very striking divagation from the normal, and gets a high value from the consciousness of the norm behind it.