1. Music Has Leading Tones
When we listen to music, we perceive not only tones but also leading tones. These are tones that, in the traditional sense, strive for transformation into neighboring tones. Many music theorists, and especially Ernst Kurth, have already extensively described the effect of leading tones. They say that with a leading tone, listeners perceive a force that urges it to transform into a neighboring tone.
2. With a Leading Tone, We Identify With a Will
However, the theory of musical equilibration proposes the opposite. It states that with a leading tone, we identify with the will to maintain the leading tone, to hold onto it, so to speak. This is comparable to identifying with the will of a film character that we experience while watching a movie. However, since music does not need people or a plot, the identification here can occur anonymously.
3. A Tone Is Not a Concrete Object
Since a leading tone is not a concrete object, this wanting to hold on is also not concrete, but only abstractly understood. It becomes an objectless wanting to hold on and can then serve as a symbol for individual ideas of the music listener.
4. Leading Tones as Carriers of Emotion
Identifying with a will makes the music seem emotionally colored. This is also comparable to the identification with the will of a film character, which leads to an emotional experience of the film. However, since music functions without plot and people, one can speak here of anonymous empathy.
5. A Simple Example: Major and Minor
A C major chord has the leading tone E. In this case, we identify with the will to maintain something. Therefore, the major chord can be perceived as an expression of agreement. If we switch to C minor, the leading tone E is lowered to Eb. The feeling of agreement transforms into a feeling of no longer being in agreement. The minor chord now sounds sad when it is quiet, and angry when it is loud.
6. Harmonic Connections Add Specificity to Perceived Will
Through the intertwining of several harmonies (e.g., through dominant relationships), it is possible to musically represent more concrete ideas of emotional contents. Similarly, extra-musical information such as song lyrics or plot sequences in films can also contribute.