What Is Your Temperament ?

[I_Believe]

Your welcome Harri. Here are two good links. The first is a good general intro, and the second is more instructive.
wisegeek.com/what-are-the-seven-modes-of-music.htm

theorylessons.com/modal.html

 

[brigid12]

Mixolydian mode can be heard in music which can evoke a sad and happy mood in a balanced fashion. “Take Me Home Country Road” by John Denver is an example.

Hypomixolydian evokes a very happy feel. Think “Walkin On Sunshine”.

Thanks alot, Harri. That makes all sorts of sense since I really feel tuned into sad and happy mood songs like “Take Me Home Country Road” (I’m the right generation for that one, too, so I played it on the guitar all the time). The second one, “Walkin On Sunshine”, I think I need to hear more of for a better mood and I only sort of remember how that one goes (and haven’t played guitar for 30 yrs). What’s another one like it? I imagine, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” is one, too, but I’m not wild about that one. Any Celine Dion songs (I have lots of her CDs) or even soft classical in that mode? Or …?

 

[FickleFreckled]

brigid12,
I’m really sensitive to music and there’s a piece of classical music that never ceases to lighten my mood and bring me into a peaceful state. I can tell it’s worked when the involuntary sigh escapes; all the tension goes away and the music is actually, for me anyway, prayerful. It’s called “The Lark Ascending” by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

 

[brigid12]

brigid12,
I’m really sensitive to music and there’s a piece of classical music that never ceases to lighten my mood and bring me into a peaceful state. I can tell it’s worked when the involuntary sigh escapes; all the tension goes away and the music is actually, for me anyway, prayerful. It’s called “The Lark Ascending” by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

I’ll have to keep an eye out for that one.

 

[Keithy]

Wow… this was accurate!

I’m “Melancholic”. And on the occupations it said I would do good as a writer and why is that funny? I’m an English major! As for saints, I do have affinities towards St. John of the Cross, St. Francis, and St. Catherine of Siena.

 

[I_Believe]

Thanks alot, Harri. That makes all sorts of sense since I really feel tuned into sad and happy mood songs like “Take Me Home Country Road” (I’m the right generation for that one, too, so I played it on the guitar all the time). The second one, “Walkin On Sunshine”, I think I need to hear more of for a better mood and I only sort of remember how that one goes (and haven’t played guitar for 30 yrs). What’s another one like it? I imagine, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” is one, too, but I’m not wild about that one. Any Celine Dion songs (I have lots of her CDs) or even soft classical in that mode? Or …?

Dear Prudence is a mixolydian example. I’m not a theory major, but it seems minor chords are the key factor that lends a sad quality to a tune. The common three chord songs, g c d, c f g, d a g, are hypomixolydian. They can have sad lyrics, but the musical feel invoked is happy/upbeat. Strum an A chord, and then strum an Am. You’ll hear it.

Putting sad lyrics in a song using all major chords is considered bad prosody. Prosody is basically coming up with an arrangement that fits the lyrics, or vice versa. There are exceptions though. A couple of sad Hank Williams songs use all major chords. I can’t recall which ones.

(any music majors are welcome to correct me if I’ve erred in any of this )