The EMOTIONAL Meaning Of Chords [Music Theory]

Many musicians think of music theory as a kind of un-emotional mathematics that tell you what chord come after another chord, or what scale goes on that chord, and so on.

While this is definitely an aspect of music theory, it is not the most important part of it.

(and BTW, there is nothing wrong about math per se!)

After all, most of us do not play music just because it resembles math - we play music because it transmit emotions and feelings.

So it only makes sense that a theory of music should have something to say about how music connects to emotions; and how a composer/songwriter can create some very specific feeling in their audience.

And yet, if you open any book of music theory, or even take a college course on it, barely a mention is made about emotions. It's like they only teach you the grammar of music, and completely neglect what you can say with it.

In this video we see together how to connect anything you know about music theory to actual emotions and feeling - and how a composer/songwriter can use this knowledge to write more expressive music.

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[visitur]

I think the best songwriters are masters at this. Some of them write chords like a native language. When I notice a songwriter casually matching chords with the perfect word or thought, it always impresses me in the most satisfying way.

[WizardOfArc]

I found that music is math that makes me feel

[brettmarlar]

I would say that the emotion conveyed by a chord depends on what chord proceeds and follows it. Context is everything. Another thing to consider is what the bass is playing over your chord. If the Bass is playing Bb or F over the Cadd9 it will totally change how that chord is perceived.

[richardhunt]

It’s a funny thing, the add9. It makes major chords more happy and minor chords more sad, I think. This whole subject of music and emotion could fuel several PhDs, but it’s so intangible and subjective. You did a great job, Tommaso, of putting that across.

[who_is_dis]

OH My Fkin God. WHY is there not more on this!?
I've been looking for videos on this exact topic for ages, no idea how I must have missed your video on this before as it's over 3 years old.
All this nerding out over theory becomes completely pointless in my opinion, ESPECIALLY when they can't relate it to emotion – which is the whole point in the first place.

[traindiesel]

I'm addicted to your channel bruh. I don't even care if I know the topic you're talking about, your whole vibe is very soothing and dope to me :) respect

[necudavamkazem]

This is, if not the most, one of the most valuable topics one can teach. You did a great job!

[SoulStBlues]

The suggestion to use a list of emotions is so simple it's perfect. Thanks for this!

[matjohn]

I find this to be therapy watching this. I study psychology/sociology in my spare time to process the world, and I also play guitar(terribly). I have written maybe a handful of my own songs in a decade. This is going to make things much easier.

[louieo.blevinsmusic]

This is a pretty dang genius concept. I feel like everyone should know this.

[GraemeMarkNI]

Chords feel different in different keys, on different instruments, in different tunings, and with different vocalists... I'd be asking "how does an E Major chord feel when the song is in G major?" And in that case, the answer differs depending on what the NEXT chord is. My chord book would be a series of huge spider diagrams that would get unruly rather fast :D

That Cadd9 sounded mellow because of the way you guys strummed it. If you'd stabbed the guitar, it would've been rather sharp. Everything depends on context.

[RobertGunni]

Saw 11 minutes and thought I was gonna have to really focus but the concise while thought provoking format of the video made it seem like it was a 4 minute video taht I did while just listening along. Much appreciated for the stellar breakdown!

[donnmodeste]

This is the first time I ever came across your channel and the words spoken would never be forgotten. It's so much more meaningful to create a progression based on writers' emotion

[evananderson]

This is probably one of the best informative videos that you have made.
You have been a big help.
Thank you
I've got work to do with this information.

[michaellisinski]

I researched this subject a little bit in grad school, and I was interested to learn about how much of our understanding of meaning comes from our embodied experiences.
If you're continuing to struggle with this, one thing I would suggest is to pay attention to your body and really pay attention to how it 'feels'. Try not to make it an intellectual exercise; your first instinct is probably going to be shared by at least one other person, unless you're an alien or a robot.
I also find that compounding emotions for complex chord voicings works for me. My personal reaction to the isolated Cadd9 was "happy, surprised". (And I think it's clear that this comes from the stability of the triad + the uncertainty of the suspension).

[dennisp]

Love your channel. I play lap steel in open tuning, not regular guitar, but lots of your material is still super helpful.

[agriffin]

Absolutely love your video on how music makes a person feel. I think it's important even in selecting what instrument a person plays!

[whycantiremainanonymous]

1:26: His example chord is precisely the chord that starts the song I recorded for my wedding (a good 20 years ago :-)). I feel calmly in love :-D

[zuluech]

I think the emotion of a chord depends also on how you play it as much as the notes in it. e.g. a Cadd9 strummed aggressively with staccato might feel like a rush of happiness while the same chord being played slow and free may feel like a more relaxed kind of happy.

I love thinking about this stuff and your channel is such a goldmine of knowledge! Bula from Fiji 🇫🇯

[livegroove]

Instead of asking them how it makes them feel, I'll ask my students to close their eyes and tell me what the chord makes them think about or picture.. I'll also play something and ask; If you heard this music in a movie, what would be happening? This is a lot of fun to do with younger kids.. Adults can sometimes be a little too reserved to play along