Some songs make us happy for some reason

0

Scientists answered the question of what makes this or that song happy for a person. It has been found that it depends on our culture.

Researchers from the University of Sydney decided to get an answer to the question of what exactly makes music sound pleasant to us or causes sadness. The perception of certain melodies as happy or unhappy is not universal, as the study showed. One of the ways composers or performers communicate with listeners is the use of major chords and major scales, which are very closely associated with creating a happy mood.

In turn, minor scales and chords are associated with more melancholic feelings. And people with western culture are well tuned to this particular musical feature. But the study showed that people who are unfamiliar with Western culture and music do not perceive the compositions in the same way. In particular, this was demonstrated after a number of indigenous tribesmen from Papua New Guinea listened to major and minor chords and melodies.

Researchers note that major and minor chords themselves are very similar, they have three notes, but on a minor chord, one of the notes is a semitone lower. Participants were asked to choose which of two chord sequences or which of two melodies sounded happier. Those familiar with Western culture made choices entirely in the traditions of the usual perception of music, but the natives had no connection between major chords and a feeling of happiness. They were just as likely to choose minor chords or scales, calling them happier.