resolution

In music, a progression from a dissonant harmony to a less dissonant or consonant harmony. For example, in an appoggiatura (a form of melodic ornament), the dissonant melodic note resolves by moving a step lower, thus creating a consonant harmony. Resolving dissonance by moving a step lower is the traditional classical method. During the 19th century composers used other kinds of resolution more frequently than before, such as moving a step higher or sometimes incorporating a leap. Composers of the 20th century often do not require a dissonance to be resolved.