Research :-
How Does Music Influence Emotions
The ability to notice emotional states is said to expand
early childhood and drastically progress throughout development into the early
teens. Scientific experiments have been conducted on many occasions to aid in
the understanding of how emotion is conveyed using structural elements found
within music.
Throughout research many have concluded that emotional
experiences in music are determined by a multitude of factors that when
coherently combined create varying levels of emotional reactions within the listener.
It can be said that the experienced emotion is an effect brought on by the
combination of Structural features within the piece of music, Performance
features, Listeners situation and contextual features
Structural Features
There are two categories in which structural features are
based upon.
1.
Segmental features - Individual Sounds or tones
which make up the music, including the amplitude, pitch and duration of notes.
2.
Suprasegmetal -
The foundational structures in music which include Melody, rhythm and
tempo.
Tempo
Tempo indicates the pace of the music. The speed in which a
piece of music is played is shown to have effects on the emotional association
between the composition and the listener. Tests have provided a better
understanding on this musical element showing that there is a drastic change in
mood/ emotional association between fast and slow paced music. Fast paced music can indicate happiness and
excitement where as slower music is normally seen as sad or serene.
Tempo is possibly one of the most important factors when
dealing with emotional construction of a composition, since it is the most
noticeable element it can clearly and quickly indicate what the composer has
intended the music to reflect.
Mode
The tonality of the piece of music will determine the
structure of the melody to emphasise the emotions in which the composer wishes
to portray throughout their compositions. The major and minor scales are widely
used to create varying styles of music and it is the composers decisions on scale
degrees (mode variations) and intervals which will dictate the emotional
contour of their music. Major scales are perceived as being happy sounding,
where as minor is seen as sad. The variations created by utilising scale
degrees and intervals can further change the tonality of the major or minor
scale which can have a drastic effect on the emotional perception deduced by
the listener.
Rhythm
Rhythm is known as the beat of the music. It is mainly
utilised to keep the music flowing although more complicated compositions can
use it as a means to drive tension and suspense. Smooth and consistent rhythms
can be associated with happy emotions and can be calming. Harsher more
irregular rhythms will induce a more tense feeling within the listener. A variety
of smooth and irregular rhythms throughout a piece of music will drastically
aid the composer in portraying multiple emotions within a piece of music and
can be a means of emphasising the desired effects when the music has reached a
climax.
Melody
Melodic structure is one of the most important aspects of
composition as it tonality, tempo and dynamics must be taken into account when
composing in order to make the melody effectively imply the motifs (emotions)
in which you want the listener to feel. When dealing with the very basics of
melody construction it can be said that a wide range of notes can imply joy,
uneasiness or unpredictability, a smaller range of notes will normally suggest
serenity, sorrow or accomplishment.
Harmonies within a melody can also imply specific moods.
Consonant harmonies can suggest a happy, relaxed or serene mood where as
dissonant harmonies will provide a sense of excitement, resentment or conflict.
Loudness
The physical impact of the music will help to characterise the
emotional state of the listener. The strength and amplitude of a sound can
relate to intensity, power and anger. Softer music is generally associated with
Sadness, compassion and fear. Rapid changes in intensity in some cases may
signify playfulness. Very little changes in the intensity and amplitude of a
composition will help convey peace or sadness.
Performance Features
The performance features which influence the emotional state
of the listener can be known as the way in which one or more performers utilise
dynamics and control to give a personalised characteristic to the music whilst
maintaining its basic structures and emotional motifs. This can be broken down
into two categories which showcase variables that are more than likely capable
of enhancing or changing how a composition is emotionally received by its
listeners.
1.
Performers skill - The level of skill in which
the performer has will determine the end result of the music being played. e.g.
if a performer is highly skilled he or she will be capable of utilising a vast
amount of techniques to help emphasise the impact of the composition. If a
player has very little skill then the performance may not feel natural or could
possibly not create enough impact to reach across the desired effects to the
audience.
2.
Performers State - This includes how the
musician looks in appearance, their interpretation, and stage presence.
Listener Features
The Impact in which a piece of music has on a listener is
greatly affected by the varying nature of the person under analysis. There are
a multitude of factors to take into account when trying to understand why a
person likes a particular style of music as opposed to others. Some of these
factors are:
·
The Current situation in which the listener
finds themselves in.
·
The age and cultural aspects of the listener.
·
What is the motivation to listen to music.
·
Their Knowledge of music.
·
The social identity and social background of the
listener.
Different people experience things on a variable level
depending on their characteristics as a person. Because of this it will be
almost impossible to create a piece of music which will appeal to everyone.
Contextual features
Contextual features are aspects of the performance which
influence expressed emotions in certain events in which emotions can be
experienced at varying degrees e.g. Dances, funerals, weddings, birthday
parties etc. This is considered because the emotions conveyed in the music will
be felt to a far stronger degree when played in a situation where that emotion
is already present.
References:-
-
1. Juslin, P.N. & Sloboda, J.A.. (2001). Emotional Effects of Music: Production Rules. In: Juslin, P.N. & Sloboda, J.A. Music and Emotion: Theory and Research. Oxford: New York: Oxford University Press. 361-392.2. Music and Emotion. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_and_emotion. Last accessed 16th February 2013.3. Geetanjali Vaidya. (2004). Music, Emotion and the Brain. Available: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro04/web2/gvaidya.html. Last accessed 16 February 2013.Tools Used For Music Creation:-1. Heavyocity's - Damage2. Heavyocity's - Evolve3. Native Instruments - Session Strings4. Native Insrtruments - Giant
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