The Role of Emotion in Musical Improvisation: An Analysis of Structural Features

摘要: One of the primary functions music is to convey emotion, yet how accomplishes this task remains unclear. For example, simple correlations between mode (major vs. minor) and emotion (happy sad) do not adequately explain enormous range, subtlety or complexity musically induced emotions. In study, we examined structural features unconstrained musical improvisations generated by jazz pianists in response emotional cues. We hypothesized that musicians would utilize any universal rules emotions, but instead combine heterogeneous elements together order depict positive negative Our findings demonstrate a lack correspondence emotions spontaneous improvisation. While cues were more likely be major keys, have faster tempos, key press velocities staccato notes when compared improvisations, there was wide distribution for each with components directly violated these associations. The finding often disparate during improvisation suggests diversity may an essential feature ability express range emotion.