The idea that humans respond consistently and predictably to certain musical conventions - e.g., minor scale and/or descending scale evoke melancholy - is called: The Doctrine of Affects (affections: emotions).
The doctrine of the affections, also known as the doctrine of affects, doctrine of the passions, theory of the affects,
Good thing I’m retired ‘cause it’s crazy late, nighttime.
This is fascinating.
NB: Can’t sing, can’t dance and cannot carry a tune in a bucket! Also, monster hearing aids since RVN.
But I do know what I like.
And I like to know a bit of the old underlying form.
I do not have the time or background, so just a peek under the hood.
“Affections are not the same as emotions; however, they are a spiritual movement of the mind”
“Affections, inconjunction with the four temperaments and body humors, thusly result in specific emotional reactions inlisteners”
“...The sounds of this natural phenomenon overtake him, producing in his body a sympathetic resonance—a sudden, gripping, visceral reaction that he cannot explain.”
This almost feels like an archetype.
Whatever it may be, it is fun reading about it, just a little bit.
Thanks.