Topmusicanswers
Atonal chord progressions are really strange and ambiguous. ... We are used to hearing a chord progression create tension (with a V7 chord) and then resolve that tension (with a Tonic chord and to a tonal centre). So really, when we listen to music we hear an entire song relative to the tonal centre of that song.
What are atonal chords?
Atonal music doesn't have a key or a central tone. In the context of jazz "atonal" is often used to refer to a song that has no coherent, classic chord structure (i.e. there's no II IV V I type structure in play for the song). The chords follow each other, seemingly at random.
What is the atonal scale?
Atonality is a condition of music in which the constructs of the music do not “live” within the confines of a particular key signature, scale, or mode. To the uninitiated listener, atonal music can sound like chaotic, random noise. ... You're allowed to use any of the 12 tones in the chromatic scale any way you like.
What is atonal harmony?
Atonality, in music, the absence of functional harmony as a primary structural element.
