How Pitch, Dynamics, and Vibrato Shape Emotions in Violin Music

Wenyi Song – wsongak@cse.ust.hk
Twitter: @sherrys72539831

Department of Computer Science and Engineering
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Hong Kong SAR, NA NA
Hong Kong

Anh Dung DINH
addinh@connect.ust.hk

Andrew Brian Horner
horner@cse.ust.hk
Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR

Popular version of 1aMU2 – The emotional characteristics of the violin with different pitches, dynamics, and vibrato levels
Presented at the 187th ASA Meeting
Read the abstract at https://eppro01.ativ.me//web/index.php?page=IntHtml&project=ASAFALL24&id=3767557

–The research described in this Acoustics Lay Language Paper may not have yet been peer reviewed–

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Music has a unique way of moving us emotionally, but have you ever wondered how individual sounds shape these feelings?

In our study, we looked at how different features of violin notes—like pitch (the height of the notes), dynamics (the loudness of the sounds), and vibrato (how the note vibrates)—combine to create emotional responses. While previous research often focuses on each feature in isolation, we explored how they interact, revealing how the violin’s sounds evoke specific emotions.

To conduct this study, we used single-note recordings from the violin at different pitches, two levels of dynamics (loud and soft), and two vibrato settings (no vibrato and high vibrato). We invited participants to listen to these sounds and rate their emotional responses using a scale of emotional positivity (valence) and intensity (arousal). Participants also selected which emotions they felt from a list of 16 emotions, such as joyful, nervous, relaxed, or agitated.

Audio 1. The experiment used a violin single-note sample (middle C pitch + loud dynamics + no vibrato).

Audio 2. The experiment used a violin single-note sample (middle C pitch + soft dynamics + no vibrato).

Audio 3. The experiment used a violin single-note sample (middle C pitch + loud dynamics + high vibrato).

Audio 4. The experiment used a violin single-note sample (middle C pitch + loud dynamics + high vibrato).

Our findings reveal that each element plays a unique role in shaping emotions. As shown in Figure 1, higher pitches and strong vibrato generally raised emotional intensity, creating feelings of excitement or tension. Lower pitches were more likely to evoke sadness or calmness, while loud dynamics made emotions feel more intense. Surprisingly, sounds without vibrato were linked to calmer emotions, while vibrato added energy and excitement, especially for emotions like anger or fear. And Figure 2 illustrates how strong vibrato enhances emotions like anger and sadness, while the absence of vibrato correlates with calmer feelings.

Figure 1. Pitch, Dynamics, and Vibrato average ratings on valence-arousal with different levels. It shows that higher pitches and strong vibrato increase arousal, while soft dynamics and no vibrato are linked to higher valence, highlighting pitch as the most influential factor.

 

Figure 2. Pitch, Dynamics, and Vibrato average ratings on 16 emotions. It shows that strong vibrato enhances angry and sad emotions, while no vibrato supports calm emotions; higher pitches increase arousal for angry emotions, and brighter tones evoke calm and happy emotions.

Our research provides insights for musicians, composers, and even music therapists, helping them understand how to use the violin’s features to evoke specific emotions. With this knowledge, violinists can fine-tune their performance to match the emotional impact they aim to create, and composers can carefully select sounds that resonate with listeners’ emotional expectations.