The Relationship Between Key Signatures and Emotions: A Composer's Perspective

Throughout the history of classical music, composers have often chosen their key signatures with a deliberate intention to convey specific moods and emotions. This article explores the historical context of key signatures and emotional associations in music, and the contemporary perspective on this relationship.

Historical Context: Key Signatures and Emotion

In mediaeval and baroque music, there was a clear and definitive association between key signatures and mood. Composers like John Dowland used specific key signatures to evoke certain emotions. For instance, C major was associated with joy and brilliance, while D major was seen as martial, with trumpets prominent. In fact, certain keys like D major also had connotations with the hunt, as hunting melodies often sounded in D major, due to the grandiose and brassy tones it produced.

This concept of key signatures representing emotions was not lost in the classical and romantic periods. Even into the early 20th century, some composers still chose their keys based on the desired emotional impact. For example:

C major: Joyous and brilliantly atmospheric. D major: Martial, with trumpets prominent, and also evocative of the hunt with blaring horns. E-flat major: Heroic. F major: Pastoral, evoking the countryside. D minor: Very sad and serious.

While the relationship between key signature and emotion is being constantly disputed, the fact remains that composers have historically used keys to evoke certain moods.

Arguments for and Against Key Emotion Associations

Many contemporary composers, including me, argue that different keys can indeed evoke different kinds of sadness or happiness. The first reaction might be to say that a song's emotional impact is independent of the key used, but upon deeper reflection, it becomes clear that there are practical and imaginative reasons for choosing a particular key.

Practical Considerations

Timbre and Instrument Range: Instruments, including the human voice, have specific ranges where they sound best. Generally, the tone quality (timbre) begins to change at the top and bottom parts of the instrument. To optimize the emotional impact, composers often place the opening statement of a theme in a range that best suits the song's mood. For instance, a dramatic and sad theme might benefit from lower notes, while a joyous and lively theme would be better suited with higher notes.

Key Suitability: The choice of key can also be influenced by practical considerations, such as the ease of playing certain chords. Instruments like guitars often have a bottom note, and certain keys, such as E-flat, are challenging to play because they are below the instrument's range. Similarly, piano players might prefer a few flats to find the notes more easily by feel.

Imaginative Considerations

Composers often use their personal sensory experiences to guide their choices. Some, like myself, experience synesthesia, where different keys evoke specific colors. For example, A major might be seen as red, while G minor might be experienced as purple. Consequently, when a melody seems blue, it might be written in C minor to match the visual association.

Key Characteristics: Different keys have their own characteristics that can influence the emotional content of a piece. C minor is often perceived as desperate and gloomy, while A major is perceived as bouncy and fast-paced, creating a sense of happiness and joy.

Symphony and the Role of Key Choice

In the context of a symphony, the composer has a larger palette of keys to choose from. The symphony may involve a wide range of instruments, and the choice of key can affect the overall mood and emotional impact.

Horn Tuning and Key Choice: In earlier times, horns did not have valves and were limited to specific keys. D horns, for example, sounded D, A, D, F, A, a series of tones based on the length of the instrument. This influenced the choice of key for celebration pieces, such as Hosanna or Coronation Marches, which were often written in D for their resonance. B-flat was also a common key due to the comfortable range it offered for vocal songs.

Contemporary Challenges: While historical considerations still play a role, contemporary composers face different challenges. Modern orchestras have a more unified tuning, and the choice of key is ultimately up to the composer. However, wisdom and consideration for the musicians' comfort and the piece's emotional impact remain crucial.

Conclusion

While the relationship between key signature and emotion is a complex and often disputed topic, it is clear that composers have historically used keys to convey specific moods. The practical and imaginative considerations behind key choice continue to influence contemporary composition, and the role of the composer as the "king of what goes down on the paper" remains paramount.