PSYCHOLOGY OF KEYS. Essay.
Can knowing the key of the music tell you what the music will be like? I think so! Does it matter what type of music? Excluding atonal, I think not!
Take a look at the list, then compare for yourself. Check these findings with Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier, Chopin’s 24 Preludes, or Hendricks’ Bagatelle Variations. Each set has compositions in each of the major and minor keys.
Note masculine keys are A through G, feminine keys are Ab, Bb, C#, Eb, and F#. Self centered keys are Ab, A, and Bb; sociable keys are C# through G and B, with C a mix of both. The Lightest key is Bb, the heaviest E.
Here is a list of the keys, and their attributes.
A: Reserved, conservative, prudish, domineering, intelligent, shrewd, self-centered, closed, deep-red, bullish, narrow, Bachian, stern, haughty. (See also F#m.)
Am: Brooding, brutal, uncomplicated, angry, pouting, self-centered, primal, second most powerful minor, childlike, selfish, self-oriented, spoiled. (C.)
Bb: Gentle, wistful, energetic, brisk, bright, musing, reasonable, youthful, quick, contemplative, cool, light blue, reflective, dry, airy. (Gm.)
Bbm: Airy, action restrained, windy, conventional front, frustrated, restricted, wanting to escape from formalities, youthfulness restrained, sociable, deceiving, flattering, crafty, suffocating, entertaining, longing for freedom, theatrical, polite, energetic, regretful. (C#.)
B: Independent, futuristic, hopeful, having inner peace, pleasant, liquid, wintry humanitarian, healthy, mature, fresh, self-satisfied, dark blue, enlightened, content, open, strong, optimistic. (Abm.)
Bm: Agitated, guarded, scary, independent, liquid, airy, weird, aquamarine blue, offbeat, perverted, disturbing, medium, not heavy or lite, insane, worried. (D.)
C: Active, angelic, basic, not embroidered, plebian, all encompassing, straightforward, honest, heavenly, creme white or beige, common, sincere, solid, self-expressive, unpretentious, constructive, hardworking. (Am.)
Cm: Brooding, tragic, solid, heavier than C#m, lighter than Em, more evolved than Am, passionate, expressive, moving, active. (Eb.)
C#: Reasonable, facile, polished, cosmopolitan, polite, refined, sophisticated, show-off-y, wise, intelligent, understanding, sociable, wanderlust-ful, people-oriented, achieving, pure white, civilized, fashionable. (Bbm.)
C#m: Profound, darkest most intense and introspective minor, heartrending, refined, purest white light, orgiastic, sublime, ethereal, not of this world, subtle, beyond reason, cathartic, enlightened, graceful, Nirvana. (E.)
D: Proud, royal, trumpet like, regal, sunny, boastful, powerful, crisp, bright, haughty, kingly, active, questing, chivalric, yellow, ceremonial, rousing, stately. (Bm.)
Dm: Tempestuous, stormy, the most aggressive minor, active, rumbling, forceful, lofty, moody, dynamic, haughty, revengeful, stirring, energetic, theatrical, country like, windy. (F.)
Eb: Hospitable, the most sociable of all keys, charitable, pale yellow, charming, luxurious, compassionate, yielding, fun, gentle, generous, open, cultivated, lighthearted, understanding, sophisticated, entertaining, party like, warm, philanthropic. (Cm.)
Ebm: Doleful, light, girlish, open, sentimental, mystical, wizard like, innocent, petulant, warm, remorseful. (F#.)
E: Powerful, heavy, grand, robust, dynamic, stout, open, substantial, charismatic, dominant, watery, emotional, paradise like, moving, strong, gold, the most powerful and heaviest key, frank, honest. (C#m.)
Em: Powerful, anguished, having inner darkness, full of despair, brooding, emotional, sweeping, tragic, dramatic, heavy, depressive, angst filled, open, lushful, moody, the heaviest minor, passionate, strong feeling. (G.)
F: Pastoral, bucolic, dry, simple, pleasant, calming, restful, light, busy, earthy, at ease, soothing, green, not pretentious, peaceful, country like. (Dm.)
Fm: Sparkling, dark, busy, dry, earthy, nervous, quick, not heavy, hardworking, natural, not pretentious, mournful, sad. (Ab.)
F#: Playful, childish, sweet, cloying, wimpy, youthful, clinging, mischievous, dry, virginal, spooky, frightening. (Ebm.)
F#m: Childlike, spooky, dark, crafty, hidden, mischievous, sullen, suspicious, secretive, frightened, fluttering, closed, plotting. (A.)
G: Joyful, jovial, fun, youthful, friendly, regal, dry, solid, frolicking, sincere, moving, grand, honest, frank, unpretentious, graceful, manly, energetic, broad, sweeping. (Em.)
Gm: Active, passionate, optimistic, stirring, graceful, youthful, honest, understanding, longing, the most romantic minor, light but solid. (Bb.)
Ab: Nebulous, feminine, hopeful, full of faith, solid, sturdy, unreal, maternal, motherly, emotional, excited, imaginative, intuitive, feeling, optimistic, girlish, giddy, not practical, instructive, the key of faith and hope, full of expectations. (Fm.)
Abm: Fearful, haunted, hopeful, full of faith, full of expectations, worrying, crying, feminine, helpless, dreading, filled with danger. (B.)