The Influence of Mode and Tempo on Psychological Impressions of Sister Pieces in Classical Music: A Multiple Regression Analysis

Abstract

Mode (major/minor) and tempo are key features shaping emotional responses in Western music, such as classical music loved worldwide. This study examined their independent and combined effects using “Sister Pieces,” systematically modified classical compositions designed to isolate the pure effects of mode and tempo by preserving melody and other elements while varying only these two. Nineteen participants rated 16 stimuli across 23 emotional descriptors. Multiple regression analysis reproduced established associations-mode with valence (e.g., brightness), tempo with arousal (e.g., activeness)-and also revealed cross-dimensional effects: mode influenced arousal, and tempo affected valence. Both dimensions shaped several emotions and did not necessarily align with either axis, consistent with the circular structure of Russell’s valence-arousal model. These findings highlight the utility of Sister Pieces for isolating musical effects with high precision. This approach offers a structured method for psychological and neuroscientific research on affective responses to music, including cross-cultural comparisons.