Stoney — On Equal Temperament upon Piano Music. 65 



Positions of the Major Chords in the Keys of A and Ab. 



In the minor chords there is also a contrast, though less uni- 

 form in these two keys.* 



All these circumstances betoken that the musical effect of the 

 two keys should be different, and it only remains to inquire why 

 the difference of effect which we have established tends towards 

 brightness in the one key and towards softness in the other. 



This is undoubtedly in part, because the third or middle note 

 of a major chordf is the source of sweetness in the chord, while 

 the end notes are the sources of its strength. In each of the 

 major chords of the key of Ab, this source of sweetness is slightly 

 reinforced as compared with the other notes of the chord; while 

 in the key of A, the middle note falls below the others in intensity 

 and richness. 



We may also connect it with the mysterious, but undoubtedly 

 real, effects which the several notes of a scale produce on the 

 mind when once the scale has become firmly established in the 

 These, when occurring in slow music, may be stated to 



ear 



be (following nearly the description of them given by the Sol- 

 faists) :- 



* The contrast of the minor chords attains uniformity in the keys of E and E [,. 



t In minor chords, the middle note appears to he the source of the greater 

 piquancy which we perceive in minor chords ; and in the key of A, and still more 

 in the key of E, this element is relatively stronger than in the keys of A[j and E[j. 



