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Consonance - I haven't used this word in ages. Tritones - I haven't thought about these in ages. As a teen, I went through the phase of exploring the most dissonant chords and scales...typical teenage interest in bucking all the rules. The strange thing is that these started to feel comfortable to me...or I became more comfortable with unresolved sounds. I still sometimes walk past the piano and strike an awkward combination of notes. Perhaps that's why the Negroni instantly spoke to me...and why I am near addicted to bitters. In a weird way, I feel like my brain resolves the sound/taste...and I get to choose my own destination. PS. metal and 'classical' is a sure fire way to get me involved in a musical debate...I love this topic. Another beautifully written essay that I very much enjoyed reading - thank you!

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Thank you for your thoughtful comment! I've always enjoyed a smatter of dissonance too. There's something to be said about revisiting our teenage perspectives, injecting a little more of that rule-breaking mindset into our grown-up lives. As you say, that rebellious spirit might be why you enjoy wonderful things like Negronis today. I'd be fascinated to hear more about your thoughts on metal vs. classical too! It's a debate I've only recently become aware of.

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I grew up learning about the tritone by singing my name! The first two notes of the word “Maria” are sung on a tritone in the song of the same name in West Side Story. Fortunately, the third notes resolves it, because I like my Negronis with a sweeter red vermouth. What a great article!

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Haha yes, I was considering Maria too! It's a great tune, and as you say, a much brighter expression of the tritone. A good example of the tritone adding some interest without leading the melody into more devilish territory. Thank you for your comment, glad you enjoyed!

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Jun 23Liked by Issariya

You have written an epic! Love your fusions and bravery. My uni cocktail was a Harvey Wallbanger, probably very tame but more sophisticated than my adolescent choice of a Snowball. I think the Galliano in the former had the shudder factor you allude to, mellowed by the orange and maraschino cherry! Something that also topped my Snowball.....I'm going down memory lane again, thanks to your thought-jabbing piece.Thank you 😻

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Thanks Claire, glad it conjured some fond memories! Harvey Wallbanger would be delicious on a day like this, yum!

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