Music Quote by Michelle Hodkin
““What do I sound like?" I asked, more breathily than I intended. God, so predictable. He considered his answer for a moment before he gave it. "Dissonant," he said finally. "Meaning?" Another long pause. "Unstable." Hmm. He shook his head. "Not the way you're thinking," he said, the shadow of a smile on his lips. "In music, consonant chords are points of arrival. Rest. There's no tension," he tried to explain. "Most pop music hooks are consonant, which is why most people like them. They're catchy but interchangeable. Boring. Dissonant intervals, however, are full of tension," he said, holding my gaze. "You can't predict which way they're going to go. It makes limited people uncomfortable - frustrated, because they don't understand the point, and people hate what they don't understand. But the ones who get it," he said, lifting a hand to my face, "find it fascinating. Beautiful." He traced the shape of my mouth with his thumb. "Like you.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Sound of Dissonance” (fictional), 2022
Consonant music feels safe and predictable; dissonant music creates tension and intrigue, appealing to those who seek depth.
In simple terms: Stable music is boring; tension sparks fascination.
Embrace uncertainty to discover deeper meaning.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- listening to pop
- composing experimental pieces
- teaching music theory
- personal reflection on art
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prefer familiar or challenging art?
- How does tension influence your emotional state?
Not everyone appreciates dissonance; it can cause discomfort.