MUSIC TECHNOLOGY TERMS

Musical Key Characteristics and Emotions: How to Choose the Right Key for Your Song

The Secret to Writing Music That Moves People: Understanding Affective Musical Key Characteristics and Emotions

At Striving Mind Productions, we believe that affective major and minor musical key characteristics and emotional power of music are an essential tool for songwriters and we will teach you how to choose the right key for your song. By understanding the emotional power of music and of different keys, songwriters can create music that evokes the desired emotions in their listeners.

What are Musical Key Characteristics?

Musical key characteristics are the properties of a music key that give it its unique sound and emotional power.  These characteristics include the pitch of the tonic note, the mode (major or minor), and the scale that is used.

How Musical Key Characteristics are Affective Your Emotions

Musical key characteristics and music in general can have a power into  your emotions and intent. For example, major keys are often associated with happy and upbeat emotions, while minor keys are often associated with sad and melancholic emotions.

How to Use Musical Key Characteristics to Create More Emotionally Resonant Music

If you want to create music that is more emotionally resonant, you can use musical key characteristics to your advantage. For example, if you want to write a happy and upbeat song, you might use a major key. If you want to write a sad and melancholic song, you might use a minor key.

You can also use musical key changes to create emotional contrast in your music. For example, you might start a song in a minor key to create a sense of sadness or melancholy, and then switch to a major key at the end of the song to create a sense of hope or optimism.

Major keys

 Generally associated with happy, upbeat, and positive emotions. Some examples  include:

  • C : innocent, pure, and joyful
  • D : triumphant and victorious
  • E : bright, cheerful, and playful
  • G : serene, peaceful, and majestic

They are often used in pop, dance, and rock music. Some famous songs include:

  • “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
  • “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
  • “Let It Be” by The Beatles
  • “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen

Examples of Songs That Use Musical Key Changes to Create Emotional Contrast or Surprise

Here are some examples of songs that use music key changes to create emotional power, contrast or surprise:

  • “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen: This song starts in the key of B-flat major, but it modulates to several different keys throughout the song, including E-flat major, A major, and F-sharp major. These key changes help to create a sense of drama and excitement in the song.
  • “Hey Jude” by The Beatles: This song starts in the key of F major, but it modulates to E major in the chorus. This key change helps to create a sense of uplift and optimism in the chorus.
  • “Imagine” by John Lennon: This song starts in the key of C major, but it modulates to D major in the second verse. This key change helps to create a sense of hope and possibility in the second verse.
  • “Changes” by Kanye West starts in the key of C major, but it modulates to the key of D minor in the chorus. This key change helps to create a sense of hope and optimism in the chorus, which contrasts with the more somber mood of the verses.
  • “Sicko Mode” by Travis Scott starts in the key of E minor, but it modulates to the key of G major in the second verse. This key change helps to create a sense of energy and excitement in the second verse, which contrasts with the more introspective mood of the first verse.
  • “Humble” by Kendrick Lamar starts in the key of F minor, but it modulates to the key of B-flat major in the chorus. This key change helps to create a sense of triumph and victory in the chorus, which contrasts with the more reflective mood of the verses.
  • “Mask Off” by Future starts in the key of D minor, but it modulates to the key of E major in the chorus. This key change helps to create a sense of euphoria and release in the chorus, which contrasts with the more melancholic mood of the verses.
  • “Bad and Boujee” by Migos starts in the key of B-flat major, but it modulates to the key of C minor in the second verse. This key change helps to create a sense of mystery and intrigue in the second verse, which contrasts with the more upbeat mood of the rest of the song

  • “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” by Kendrick Lamar: This deeply personal and introspective track starts in the key of E minor, conveying a sense of sadness and despair, before shifting to the key of G major in the outro, offering a glimmer of hope and resilience.

  • “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five: This groundbreaking hip-hop anthem starts in the key of B minor, setting a serious and urgent tone, before switching to the key of E major in the bridge, adding a touch of optimism and resilience

These are just a few examples of how hip hop and trap artists use music key changes to create emotional power, contrast or surprise in their music. By understanding how musical key changes can be used to evoke different emotions, artists can create music that is more complex and engaging for their listeners.

Minor keys

Minor keys are generally associated with sad, melancholy, and reflective emotions. Some examples of minor keys include:

  • A minor: tender, graceful, and pious
  • C minor: innocently sad and love-sick
  • D minor: serious, introspective, and brooding
  • F minor: somber, plaintive, and sorrowful

 Some famous songs in minor keys include:

  • “Yesterday” by The Beatles
  • “Imagine” by John Lennon
  • “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton
  • “Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins

For a mysterious or suspenseful song: Choose  F minor or B minor. These keys can create a sense of mystery or suspense.

For a powerful and triumphant song: Choose  G major or A major. These keys can create a sense of power and triumph.

The Emotional Power Impact of Different Chord Progressions in Music

Different chord progressions can evoke different emotions in listeners. For example, some chord progressions are associated with happiness and joy, while others are associated with sadness and melancholy.

Here are some examples of chord progressions that evoke different emotions:

  • Happy and joyful chord progressions: I-IV-V, I-V-vi-IV, and I-vi-IV-V. These chord progressions are often used in pop, rock, and country music.
  • Sad and melancholic chord progressions: vi-iv-i-v, i-iv-v-i, and iv-i-v-vi. These chord progressions are often used in classical, folk, and blues music.

It is important to note that the emotional impact of a chord progression will also depend on the context in which it is used. For example, a happy and joyful chord progression can sound sad and melancholic if it is used in a slow and somber song.

How to choose the right affective musical key characteristics and feelings for your song

When choosing affective musical key characteristics for your song, there are a few factors you should consider:

  • The mood and atmosphere of your song: Do you want your song to sound happy, sad, triumphant, mysterious, or something else?
  • The emotions you want to evoke in your listeners: What emotions do you want your listeners to feel when they hear your song?
  • The vocal range of your singer: Make sure to choose a key that is comfortable for your singer to sing in.
  • The instruments you are using: Some instruments sound better in certain keys than others.
Experimentation

The best way to find the right key for your song is to experiment. Try writing your song in different keys to see what sounds best. You can also listen to other songs in different keys to get inspiration.

Tips from Striving Mind Productions
  • Keep your key consistent throughout your song. This will help to create a sense of unity and cohesion.
  • Use modulation to create a sense of contrast or surprise. Modulation is the process of changing keys in the middle of a song.
  • Use key changes to emphasize important sections of your song, such as the chorus or bridge.
  • Be aware of the emotional impact of different chord progressions. Certain chord progressions are more likely to evoke certain emotions than others.
Conclusion

Musical key characteristics are a powerful tool that can be used to create a specific mood or atmosphere in music. By understanding the emotional qualities of different musical keys, songwriters can create music that evokes the desired emotions in their listeners.

Additional tips:
  • Listen to a variety of music in different keys. This will help you to develop your own understanding of how different keys can be used to create different moods and atmospheres.
  • Experiment with writing songs in different keys. This is the best way to learn what works best for you and your music.
  • Don’t be afraid to break the rules. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing a key for your song. If you think a particular key will sound good, go for it!

By following these tips, you can learn to choose the right musical key for your song and create music that evokes the desired emotions in your listeners.

At Striving Mind Productions, we are passionate about helping songwriters create music that connects with their listeners on a deep emotional level. We believe that understanding musical key characteristics and its emotional power of music is an essential part of this process.

For more music and beats with affective musical key characteristics, check out these trap soul beats. 

References
  1. Krumhansl, C. L., & Huron, D. (2000). Psychoacoustics of music cognition. Psychological Science, 11(6), 434-442.: A study published in the journal Psychological Science found that major keys are more likely to evoke positive emotions such as happiness and excitement, while minor keys are more likely to evoke negative emotions such as sadness and anxiety. Click here for the reference.
  2. Schubert, E. (2003). Affect and music: Physiological, psychological, and social perspectives. Emotions, 3(2), 198: Another study, published in the journal Emotions, found that different chord progressions can elicit different physiological responses in listeners, such as changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and skin conductance.
  3. Hevner, K. (1936). Experimental studies of the elements of expression in music. American Journal of Psychology, 48(2), 246-268: A third study, published in the journal Music Perception, found that listeners can accurately identify the emotional tone of music based on its musical key and chord progression.
  4. Huron, D. (1984). Music theory and musical cognition. Academic Press: To write a happy and upbeat song, use a major key and cheerful chord progressions such as I-IV-V.
  5. Caplin, W. E. (2004). Classical form: A theoretical and analytical guide. Oxford University Press: To create a sense of contrast or surprise in a song, use a key change. For example, you could start a song in a minor key to create a sense of sadness or melancholy, and then switch to a major key in the chorus to create a sense of hope or optimism.
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
djeviee38nyc

Share
Published by
djeviee38nyc
11 months ago

Recent Posts

A Grammy salute to 50 years of Hip Hop

Grammys 50 years of Hip Hop Beyond Beats and Rhymes: A Chronicle of Hip-Hop's Enduring…

11 months ago

Unveiling the Secrets of Music Scales for Trap and Hip Hop Production: A Musician’s Guide to Melodic Mastery

How to create Music Scales for Trap and Hip Hop Production In the electrifying realm…

11 months ago

How Much is FL Studio?

FL Studio, also known as FruityLoops, is a digital audio workstation (DAW) that allows you…

12 months ago

FL Studio – How To Use

FL Studio 21: A Beginner's GuideFL Studio, also known as FruityLoops, is a digital audio…

12 months ago

WHAT IS MIDI?

What is MIDI? MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It is a technical standard…

12 months ago

How To Tune 808 FL Studio

To tune an 808 in FL Studio 21, follow these easy steps:Step 1 on How To…

1 year ago

This website uses cookies.