On the Relationship between Key Signatures and Music-Induced Emotions

Abstract

Music induces emotions. This study investigates how different musical key signatures influence listeners' emotions. A survey was conducted to gather data on emotional responses to various music pieces, followed by an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to identify statistical differences across key signatures. We focus on three major keys (C major, E-flat major, and E major) and three minor keys (C-sharp minor, F minor, and G minor). There are several main findings from the experimental study. First, certain keys are associated with specific emotions. For example, C major is linked to feelings of simplicity and brightness, while C-sharp minor evokes darkness and pain. Second, there is a correlation between the number of black notes in a key signature and the intensity of negative feelings. In particular, C major (with no black notes) is the most positively perceived among tested major keys, whereas G minor (with two black notes) is the least negatively perceived among tested minor keys. Third, lower pitches generally induce more negativity. These findings provide empirical support for the connection between musical key signatures and emotional responses, enhancing our understanding of music theory and providing guidance on choosing suitable keys for target emotions.