Influence of pitch, dynamics, and vibrato on the emotional characteristics of violin sounds

This study explores how pitch, dynamics, vibrato levels, and their interactions influence the emotional perception of violin tones. Using 32 violin notes, 62 participants provided valence and arousal ratings on a 9-point Likert scale and binary responses for 16 emotional categories. Results show that pitch was the most influential factor, with higher pitches increasing arousal. Vibrato levels had multifaceted effects, enhancing arousal while reducing valence. Dynamics played a less prominent role but revealed that louder sounds increased valence and unexpectedly decreased arousal. Interaction effects demonstrated that vibrato extent's influence on arousal was moderated by both pitch and dynamics. Additionally, an analysis of low-level acoustic features, such as loudness and vibrato rate, revealed significant correlations with emotional responses. For instance, higher vibrato rates were associated with increased arousal, while attack time had subtle effects on valence. Observations across the 16 emotional categories highlighted distinct quadrant-specific trends. For example, high-arousal emotions were primarily influenced by loudness and vibrato, while low-valence emotions were more sensitive to attack and decay times. These findings provide nuanced insights into the interplay of acoustic features in shaping emotional experiences, contributing to research in music cognition and emotional processing.