source file: m1564.txt Date: Sun, 25 Oct 1998 19:20:01 EST Subject: psychological effects of musical frequency ratios - chord root transitions From: Ascend11@aol.com Daniel Wolf writes: "Isn't it interesting that each prime can divide the tonal space in a unique way". A factor in psychological effect of music in addition to that of frequency ratios in individual chords is the interval over which a chord root transition is made - say by a fifth, by a 9/8 major second, by a 6/5 minor third, etc. Also, do small deviations - say by five cents - from just of the interval between the roots of successive chords affect the psychological effect of the part of the musical phrase formed by these two successive chords? Historically the idea of the 3/2 consonant fifth appeared long before there is evidence that two or more harmonizing parts were frequently employed in music. Of course the second note of a melodic interval would be mentally "harmonized" with the first note. I believe many people can easily detect a melodic fifth which is off from just by five cents. Thinking as I write, I believe that there are objective, scientifically demonstrable relationships between pitch relationships in music (among all the other factors) and the psychological effects of the music. Also, it would seem that if our understanding of the effects of these factors were deepened, it would be possible to create music which is even better at creating various specific psychological effects than is present day music. Thus Beethoven's music is emotionally moving for quite a few people. Why? We would say that Beethoven was an inspired genius who had a feel for what musical edifices would be really effective psychologically. However, I believe that if - and this is beginning to seem possible today - we really understood more quantitatively how music achieves its psychological effects, music could be produced - by individuals who had deep understanding of this and had enough of Beethoven's gifts to effectively use this understanding - which would equal and even surpass the music which Beethoven produced. I believe that relatively fine nuances of tuning are much more important towards music's achieving the psychological effects which it has the potential to produce than has generally been appreciated in the recent past. Many are now aware of this and this is very encouraging.