The Link Between Music and Communication....

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Just got this new book from a friend called "Beethoven's Anvil" (William Benzon) that describes the scientific and historical link between the music we listen to, and the effect it can have on our emotions. For instance, you may put on an instrumental album when you are feeling sad, or loud rock when you are feeling happy.

Is there actual truth to that, or is there a "placebo effect": we expect to feel something, so we do?

Nichole Graham, Tuesday, 19 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

i dont know , i think it may be the case

anthony, Saturday, 30 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I believe it's true - that there's an aural equivalent to the way paint colours in rooms can affect moods.

Kim, Saturday, 30 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Of course music affects our moods, but it's a complicated issue: there are expectations, there are habits, there are associations that pieces of music have that are in no sense part of the music, and most of all there is the fact that in large part we choose what we want to listen to. I often use Louis Prima to make me happy, but perhaps I wouldn't put him on if I were not ready to feel happy anyway. Perhaps I'd feel the same if I put on Leonard Cohen or Lou Reed's Berlin then - except I don't choose to do so at those times. If only I had a control Martin Skidmore for experimental purposes!

Martin Skidmore, Saturday, 30 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)


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