Understanding the role of emotion in connection with Music preference and chords in musical compositions

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Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the role of musical chords on emotions. Major modes are believed to be associated with happiness, while Minor modes are associated with sadness. The experiment was devised to produce music stimuli with conflicting cues in 4 conditions, (major, major inverted to minor, minor, and minor inverted to major). The participants (n = 118) rated their emotions with the GEMS-45 scale and their musical preference with the STOMP(R) prior to music stimuli, additionally the subjects described their personal experiences with music. The subjects rated their emotions after the stimulus and found that there were no differences on emotive states(sublimity/vitality/unease) due to chord conditions. There were however differences in emotions such as nostalgia and wonder with pre-test and post-test analysis which showed the beneficial effects music has on the individual. The study also demonstrated the significant differences of musical taste between age groups.

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Psychology

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