Table 3 Chord types and their associated emotions [25].
From: Determination of Nonprototypical Valence and Arousal in Popular Music: Features and Performances
Chord Type | Example | Associated Emotions |
|---|---|---|
Major | C | Happiness, cheerfulness, confidence, satisfaction, brightness |
Minor | Cm | Sadness, darkness, sullenness, apprehension, melancholy, depression, mystery |
Seventh |
| Funkiness, moderate edginess, soulfulness |
Major Seventh |
| Romance, softness, jazziness, serenity, exhilaration, tranquillity |
Minor Seventh |
| Mellowness, moodiness, jazziness |
Ninth |
| Openness, optimism |
Diminished | Cdim | Fear, shock, spookiness, suspense |
Suspended Fourth |
| Delightful tension |
Seventh, Minor Ninth |
| Creepiness, ominousness, fear, darkness |
Added Ninth |
| Steeliness, austerity |
