The point of emergence from musical uncertainty, such as incompleteness, dissonance or ambiguity, onto a point of comparative certainty, completeness, or of single implication. Resolution implies relaxation, as when consonance succeeds dissonance, or rhythmic regularity is restored following a syncopation. It may be implied in the musical syntax of any parameter which can signify degrees of lesser tension, but in practice, in Western music, it is mainly associated with pitch.
In counterpoint, resolution arises most typically when a dissonant suspension falls (or, more rarely, rises) to a consonance. In tonal harmony, dissonant verticals imply their own resolution: for instance, a dominant 7th chord will normally resolve to a tonic. Moreover, a consonant chord which the tonal context determines as a dominant may also be said to ‘resolve’ to a tonic even if both chords are simple triads. Resolution is a relative term, and is implied at every standard Cadence except the interrupted, which tends to increase tension. In chromatic harmony, resolution is typically achieved by semitone movement, and may occur simultaneously with another intensifying factor. See also Consonance and Dissonance.
JULIAN RUSHTON