Music and Change
One
thing music can alter is our emotions. Our brain consciously, and sometimes
unconsciously, feels a certain emotion when listening to music. There are many
aspects that go into and contribute to the emotions we experience when
listening to music. This is one of the reasons as to why it has been difficult
for scientists to gather any concrete evidence to depict the source to why a
certain song makes you feel happy, sad, etc. Evaluating how music makes
individuals feel can also be very subjective. It could vary due to things like
mood, personality, background, any memories associated with the music, and
many, many more. However, recently they have been able to collect some valuable
research about the neurological impact of music.
Certain characteristics of music
have been proposed to effect the emotional impact of music. Breaking it down in
the eyes of music theory, according to a study by psychologist
Dr Krumhansl from Cornell University, the emotional impact greatly depends on
key and tempo. Major keys and fast tempos are normally associated with
happiness. Minor keys and slow tempos bring about sadness. “Bodily functions
that change in response to particular emotions are well known. Sadness leads to
a slower pulse, raised blood pressure, a decrease in the skin's conductivity
and a drop in body temperature. Fear produces increased pulse rates. Happiness
causes faster breathing. So, by playing pieces ranging from Mussorgsky's “Night
on the Bare Mountain” to Vivaldi's “Spring” to her wired-up subjects, Dr Krumhansl
was able to test musical conventions about which emotions are associated with
which musical structures.” (The Biology of Music)
In the journal Nature Neuroscience, scientists did
research to make a discovery of the direct link between the euphoria stirred by
music and dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter released in the brain. “It
is the same substance that puts the joy in sex, the thrill in certain illegal
drugs, and the warm feeling within a woman breast-feeding her child.”
(Biochemical Connection between Music and Emotion) When people listen to music
and the piece reaches it’s climactic ending, they often say the phrase, “That
gave me chills.” The scientists at McGill University in Montreal concluded that
the “chills” that are experienced are, in reality, just a release of dopamine
in the brain. “According to the McGill research, during the anticipation phase
dopamine pours into the dorsal striatum when the climax occurs, triggering a
reaction in the ventral striatum that results in a release of pure emotion.”
(Biochemical Connection between Music and Emotion.)
Some people would argue that music doesn’t affect behavior, but the affect is indirect. Dr. Roger Stahl claims that there are many factors that go into the influence music can hold on someone’s behavior: such as “the environment that you are in, the people that you are with, and what you are wearing.” (The Effects of Music on People’s Behavior) He does agree, however, that music does have the ability to influence your emotions. Emotions are often times the underlying drive of our behaviors. Many studies have concluded that music has a direct effect on emotion and in turn has an indirect effect on behavior. “A study at the University of Plymouth was conducted to examine what effects different volume intensities and tempos would have on someone running on a treadmill. The researchers observed that when people exercise to music, they typically select the faster, louder music rather than slower and softer pieces. This, the group perceived, suggested that there may be something about the relationship between music and exercise performance.” (The Effects of Music on People’s Behavior)
Music also has a very big impact on society as a whole. Celebrities are often times associated with the music industry. They hold power, and can use that power to spread messages amongst the public. For example, many artists include provocative implications through their music. As a result of that, there are people who look up to these artists who put the words into affect in their own lives, causing immoral behavior and so forth. However, many artists use this to spread good messages to the public as well. For example, Macklemore released a single called “Same Love” in 2012 in support of LGBT marriage rights. It was a reaction to Washington Referendum 74, to approve or reject same-sex marriage within the state of Washington. He has said that it was also a personal result of his view on the hip hop industry and how it demeans homosexuality. This song was released in hopes of making social awareness that would eventually lead to a social change. If done correctly, music has the power to do so.
Some people would argue that music doesn’t affect behavior, but the affect is indirect. Dr. Roger Stahl claims that there are many factors that go into the influence music can hold on someone’s behavior: such as “the environment that you are in, the people that you are with, and what you are wearing.” (The Effects of Music on People’s Behavior) He does agree, however, that music does have the ability to influence your emotions. Emotions are often times the underlying drive of our behaviors. Many studies have concluded that music has a direct effect on emotion and in turn has an indirect effect on behavior. “A study at the University of Plymouth was conducted to examine what effects different volume intensities and tempos would have on someone running on a treadmill. The researchers observed that when people exercise to music, they typically select the faster, louder music rather than slower and softer pieces. This, the group perceived, suggested that there may be something about the relationship between music and exercise performance.” (The Effects of Music on People’s Behavior)
Music also has a very big impact on society as a whole. Celebrities are often times associated with the music industry. They hold power, and can use that power to spread messages amongst the public. For example, many artists include provocative implications through their music. As a result of that, there are people who look up to these artists who put the words into affect in their own lives, causing immoral behavior and so forth. However, many artists use this to spread good messages to the public as well. For example, Macklemore released a single called “Same Love” in 2012 in support of LGBT marriage rights. It was a reaction to Washington Referendum 74, to approve or reject same-sex marriage within the state of Washington. He has said that it was also a personal result of his view on the hip hop industry and how it demeans homosexuality. This song was released in hopes of making social awareness that would eventually lead to a social change. If done correctly, music has the power to do so.
Music also has the ability to
benefit us, physically. If used correctly, music holds a therapeutic value and
can benefit individuals of different conditions. “Music therapy is used with
individuals of all ages and with a variety of conditions, including:
psychiatric disorders, medical problems, physical handicaps, sensory
impairments, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, communication
disorders, interpersonal problems, and aging. It is also used to: improve
learning, build self-esteem, reduce stress, support physical exercise, and
facilitate a host of other health-related activities.” (Music Therapy)
Music therapists have their clients find
therapeutic value through means of improvising, re-creating, composing,
listening, and taking part in verbal discussions. Clients improvise by making
up their own music by what feels right in the moment. Oftentimes improvisation
is also accompanied by instructions from the therapist. Re-creating is where a client plays or
performs previously composed music. This could be through sing-a-longs,
learning to produce sounds, repeating phrases, taking music lessons, and much
more. Through composing, the therapist helps the client to create pieces of
music. Many times the therapist will leave the client in charge of the simpler
tasks, such as writing lyrics or creating a melody, while they, themselves take
on the harder tasks of things such as notation and harmonization. Listening
often times involves taking the client to experience and respond to live music.
It could be anything from jazz to rock to classical and anywhere in between.
When taking part in a verbal discussion, clients are asked to comment on how pieces make them feel or think, or even just their opinion on the music.
The art of music has carried on for thousands and thousands of years. People have learned to appreciate this art more over time and in result, music has been able to be more diverse. It is easier for people to find pieces or genres that they like or can relate to. Different styles or genres carry different feels and meanings. This is another reason why it has been a lot easier for more and more people to be able to have music as a predominant asset in their lives. It has the ability to alter your emotion as well as other aspects in society that many people find interest in. If used correctly, music holds the power of change.
The art of music has carried on for thousands and thousands of years. People have learned to appreciate this art more over time and in result, music has been able to be more diverse. It is easier for people to find pieces or genres that they like or can relate to. Different styles or genres carry different feels and meanings. This is another reason why it has been a lot easier for more and more people to be able to have music as a predominant asset in their lives. It has the ability to alter your emotion as well as other aspects in society that many people find interest in. If used correctly, music holds the power of change.
1. "The Biology of Music.", (2000) The Economist
2. Vaidya, Geetanjail. "Music, Emotion, and the Brain." Serendip.edu. Serendip, 1994-2013. 11 Nov. 2013. <http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro04/web2/gvaidya.html>.
3. "Research Reveals the Biochemical Connection between Music and Emotion." Research Reveals the Biochemical Connection between Music and Emotion. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2013. <http://phys.org/news/2011-01-reveals-biochemical-music-emotion.html>.
4. "Music Therapy." Music Therapy. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. <http://www.temple.edu/musictherapy/home/program/faq.htm>.
5. "Same Love." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same_Love>.
6. "The Effects of Music on People's Behavior - Todd LinderSPCM 2360 Dr. Roger Stahl." The Effects of Music on People's Behavior. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2013. <http://behavinglikemusic.webs.com/>.
5. "Same Love." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same_Love>.
6. "The Effects of Music on People's Behavior - Todd LinderSPCM 2360 Dr. Roger Stahl." The Effects of Music on People's Behavior. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2013. <http://behavinglikemusic.webs.com/>.
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