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I can explain it: if you drew a frequency graph of how often a piece of music in those scales used each note, the graphs would be different. The tonic (first no
by codeulike 10y ago
I can explain it: if you drew a frequency graph of how often a piece of music in those scales used each note, the graphs would be different. The tonic (first note in the scale) would likely be the highest point in the frequency plot. The note seven semitones up would also likely be prominent.
- analog31 10y agoPerhaps even more important, the tonic will be used as a place of repose, or resolution of tension. Most traditional tunes end in the tonic, and the majority begin in the tonic as well. In addition, the major and minor modes have been used to convey different emotions, that will probably be invoked at some level if you've been exposed to a reasonable amount of mainstream Western music. I suspect that there are no first principles that explain these traditions (and many more), but they work well enough that they can be relied upon (for instance) to reinforce the emotional experience of a movie, sports broadcast, or religious ceremony. Perhaps a psychological effect worth exploring is how we remember aspects of music, and how that memory shapes our experience of new and familiar music.