Which of the following best describes quartal harmony?

Which of the following best describes quartal harmony?

• A. Based on the intervals of thirds
• B. Built on fourths
• C. Uses traditional tonality
• D. Involves only major and minor chords

Answer: (B)

Quartal harmony is characterized by the construction of chords based on the interval of fourths rather than the more common interval of thirds found in traditional harmony. This approach creates a distinct sound unique to quartal structures, which can evoke modern or contemporary musical styles. Quartal harmony allows for a broader range of harmonic possibilities, often resulting in sonorities that are less predictable and can be more open and ambiguous compared to traditional harmony built on thirds. While the other options discuss elements that relate more to conventional chord construction—like traditional tonality and major/minor chords—these do not apply to quartal harmony, which breaks away from these structures by leveraging the interval of fourths as its foundational element.

Quartal harmony is characterized by the construction of chords based on the interval of fourths rather than the more common interval of thirds found in traditional harmony. This approach creates a distinct sound unique to quartal structures, which can evoke modern or contemporary musical styles. Quartal harmony allows for a broader range of harmonic possibilities, often resulting in sonorities that are less predictable and can be more open and ambiguous compared to traditional harmony built on thirds.

While the other options discuss elements that relate more to conventional chord construction—like traditional tonality and major/minor chords—these do not apply to quartal harmony, which breaks away from these structures by leveraging the interval of fourths as its foundational element.