In music, what typically dictates the emotional quality of a composition?

The emotional quality of a composition is often greatly influenced by chord progressions. Chord progressions can evoke specific feelings and moods through their harmonic relationships. For example, major chords typically convey happiness or brightness, while minor chords can evoke feelings of sadness or melancholy. The progression from one chord to another can create tension and release, leading listeners through an emotional journey. This use of harmony to express emotion is fundamental in many music genres and is an essential tool for composers and songwriters.

While rhythmic patterns, lyrical content, and instrumentation also contribute to the overall emotional experience of music, they often serve to enhance or complement the emotional narrative established by the chord progressions. For instance, a heartfelt lyric delivered with the right chord progression can have a far greater impact than lyrics alone. Similarly, the choice of instruments can add texture and nuance, but it is the harmonic structure that fundamentally underpins the emotional direction of the piece.