The influence of music on our emotions and feelings Essay

Why do people listen to music? Coming from a person who listens to music as much as possible, I notice that my mood immediately skyrockets. Principal component analysis suggested that people listen to music to regulate arousal, to achieve self-awareness, and as an expression of social relatedness (Schfer). Through a lot of research, the effect of music on the brain involves emotion, perception, and timing. Listening to music is one of the most popular leisure activities and has been for several years. "Musical activities appear to have been present in every known culture on earth, with ancient roots extending back 250,000 years or more"(Schfer). The omnipresent and distant past of music has inspired great theories regarding its effect on the brain. Music and mood are closely connected, and from that, it can be used as a tool to boost our overall health.
Music affects our mood in numerous ways, mainly through its rhythm and tone. Music can be considered an antidepressant in most cases. Different tunes can cause the release of serotonin and dopamine in the brain that causes us to feel happy and content. It also releases norepinephrine, which is a hormone that appeals to feelings of europhia (Taylor). When listening to the rhythm in songs, our heart actually begins to correspond with that rhythm. A slow heartbeat with a heavy diastolic pressure informs our brain that something sad or disheartening is happening. On the other hand, a rapid beat is associated with excitement. Lastly, a dreamy, romantic rhythm with sporadic upbeats can signify love or happiness (BestBinauralBeats.org). Tones are just as affecting on the brain as rhythm is. A "major key" music piece signals joyous communication to our brain, while "minor key" pieces closely reflect the soft keenings of grief (BestBinauralBeats.org). Both rhythm and tone have a compelling effect on our brain, which causes our psyche to feel these emotions through different types of music that are being communicated to us every day. They can have a clear impact on your happiness, and on your life.
Music is usually chosen for its emotional impact and to achieve other physical, psychological, emotional, and social needs. Listening to music tends to go hand in hand with other nonmusical activities. "Across all research it is clear that self-chosen music has the potential for greater emotional and functional impact in many different ways than music which is heard through others' choices" (Hallam 711). Advances in technology have played a major role in allowing listeners to create and manipulate the soundtrack to their own emotions and feelings. Smartphones, MP3 Players, Spotify, Soundcloud and Pandora are just a few popular music devices that allow instant access to a wide range of playlists and music libraries. These technological advancements seem to change the way people interact with music. The fast pace of technological change is affecting listeners' patterns of engagement and true meanings in their own music (Hallam 712). Studies show that people think that their musical choices disclose key information about their personal life and qualities.