What makes a song sound happy? It depends on your culture, study finds

The perception of music in major keys as happy and minor keys as sad is not universal, Australian researchers sayGet ourfree news app,morning email briefing anddaily news podcastWhat makes a piece of music seem happy or sad? Whether it has been composed in a major or minor key is a significant factor. It ’s part of what distinguishes the cheeriness ofWalking on Sunshine from the pensiveness ofAin ’t No Sunshine, for example.But the perception of major keys as happy and minor keys as sad is not universal, according to Australian research that suggests the effect may result from the influence of western culture.Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morningContinue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Australia news Music Culture Papua New Guinea Science Psychology Source Type: news