You've helped them one at a time. The real understanding is how the ideas CONNECT — teach that next.
Pull (tension — dissonant intervals that want to resolve (the leading-tone, the suspended fourth)) ×Land (resolution — the consonant arrival when tension releases (the V to I cadence))
A chord progression sounds unsatisfying if it never leaves the home chord, and deeply satisfying when it returns after a tense chord. How do Pull and Land explain that?
Pull then says: “A resolution sounds just as satisfying whether or not there was any tension before it.” — is that right?
The link: tension creates the need, and resolution is the release — one gesture.
Build the tension, then let it come home.
Triad (chord-stacking — three tones stacked (root, third, fifth), the foundation of harmony) ×Lean (voice-leading — the smallest possible movements between consecutive chords)
Two progressions use the same chords, but one sounds smooth and the other lurching. How do Triad and Lean explain the difference?
Triad then says: “As long as two progressions use the same chords, they will always sound equally smooth.” — is that right?
The link: chords are the destinations; voice-leading is the smooth path between them.
Stack the chords, then move between them by the smallest steps.
Capstone — write one progression together
Three parts of a chord progression. Bring in the cast member for each.
Stack three tones into a chord. Who?
Who do you bring in?
Build tension that wants to resolve. Who?
Who do you bring in?
Arrive on the resolution. Who?
Who do you bring in?
The synthesis: stack the chord, build the tension, and land the resolution — a progression that breathes.
