Emotional Impact of Mode and Tempo through the Systematic Use of Sister Pieces in Classical Music

Abstract

Mode and tempo are crucial elements in the connection between music and emotion. Major keys typically evoke bright and optimistic emotions, while minor keys are associated with darker and more melancholic emotions. Similarly, faster tempos often convey a sense of activity, whereas slower tempos evoke a meditative or calm state. This study aimed to investigate the effects of mode and tempo by employing “sister pieces,” variations of the same musical composition with systematically modified mode and tempo. Four well-known classical pieces were selected, and three sister pieces were generated for each, resulting in 16 auditory stimuli. These were evaluated by 17 healthy adult participants to measure emotional impressions. The findings revealed that changes in mode and tempo significantly influence the emotional impact of music, underscoring the utility of pieces in exploring these musical elements.