Music To Your Ears—The Power of Music on the Brain

By Jamie Su

From the press of a key on the piano to the strumming of strings on a violin, every note played triggers the brain. A chord with the right tones can stir up chilling emotions, just as a melody arranged in a certain way can leave a lasting impact.

Dating back to the times of Greek philosophers, it has always been widely accepted that there is a link between music and emotion. “Major” music patterns have always been associated with happiness, while “minor” patterns are known for being sad. Plato believed that the seven Greek modes, Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Lochrian—could bring out traits ranging from courageousness to laziness. The military sound of Dorian mode, according to him, boasted bravery, while the Lydian and Ionian modes promoted sloth. Setting pitches and tones aside, even the tempo of music is associated with emotion. Faster rhythms are often interpreted as joyful and even playful. Meanwhile, slower pieces seem less energetic and even sad.

The question of “why?” can be answered scientifically. Listening to music can affect heart rate and increase blood flow, especially to the part of the brain that processes emotions. The more often a favorite song is played on repeat, the more the brain familiarizes with it and associates it with positive emotion. Eventually, the brain will learn to release dopamine even with just the opening notes of the melody. Consequently, the human mind turns to music as a form of relaxation.

The complexity of music can make the perception of it akin to an exercise for the brain. Whether it is pitch, rhythm, or dynamic, the brain must work hard to make sense of it. It must process the sounds and words before forming coherent sentences out of each chorus and verse. Memory is heavily involved in this affair, with emotion coming into play as well. They work closely together to etch every tune into the mind, triggering both memories and emotions when a familiar song is played.

While scientists are still working to unravel the mysteries of music’s impact on the brain, it is clear that music harnesses benefits. The effect of music on human emotion and cognition leaves a lasting mark on the human mind.

Keep Your Brain Young with Music. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2022, April 13). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/keep-your-brain-young-with-music

Music and the brain: the neuroscience of music and musical appreciation. National Library of Medicine. (2017, May 1). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618809/

Why and How Music Moves Us. Pfizer. (n.d.). https://www.pfizer.com/news/articles/why_and_how_music_moves_us

Edited by Romanea