Online class discussion #1 is open for comments August 26-September 3.

“Physiology” (pronounced fizzy-all-oh-gee) is the study of how our bodies normally function: how our cells, biochemicals, and bodily systems all work together, react to the world around us, and keep us alive.

brain music 2

 

Physiology comes into play with music when we start thinking about how our bodies react to music: things happen when we like the sounds we’re hearing (our eyes dilate, our pulse changes, our body releases dopamine) — we have a physiological reaction to the music that’s involuntary, exciting, sometimes unexpected, and often enjoyable. Our bodies’ reactions help us understand if we want to hear something again (even if we don’t directly say to ourselves, “Wow, my cerebellum became quite active during that song; I’d better listen to it again!”) because we enjoy the way they feel, and we know that listening to music might be one of the only ways to feel those particular (enjoyable) feelings again.

Below is a link to a short (19′) video presentation given by musician/researcher Deanna Choi at TEDxQueensU in 2012 (Canada) that explains what happens to our bodies when we listen to music. You might be a person that learns more easily from reading than listening, or if you may be interested in reading another short, accessible introduction to the study of music and physiology, so I’m including a link to one  here. There are hundreds of similar articles out there–this has been a popular topic of research for the last several decades.

I look forward to seeing what you have to say on this topic and enjoying your conversation!

-Dr. J.

 

http://vid.staged.com/sEOn

 

Some additional questions to get you started in the conversation this week:

  • What kinds of additional physiological reactions not mentioned in the video have you experienced when listening to music?
  • Why do you think our bodies react to music at all?
  • If physiological reactions are involuntary, why don’t we all enjoy the same music to the same degree?

126 thoughts on “The physiology of music (Online class discussion #1)”

  1. I see why our bodies react the way they do when we hear a piece of music we like. For example earlier today when the “Kesha” song was playing in class I felt the adrenaline of being on the dancefloor in the club.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I can agree with you on that. Certain songs definitely trigger emotional and physical responses to music we like. For example, in class when the song Lil Wayne Ft. Drake “Right Above it” started to play my body reacted physically so my foot started tapping and I started to bob my head.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Totally feel the same way. I feel like songs connect to people in away that is stronger than just lyrics and the beat. You can find yourself almost lost into a song to hold a deep meaning because you will get this feeling running through your body as almost If the artist is just talking one on one with you. Songs can trigger such an emotional attachment that everytime you hear that song it can usually always bring you back to a time in your life wether it’s happy or depressing. Music connects so well with our brains and emotions especially If you have experienced the message in which the arist is trying to tell even meaningless music can make you feel a certain way.

        Like

    2. I agree Isiah. I felt the same when were listening to Michael Jackson’s song. The song was energizing and made think of the old days and dancing. This one of the effect of the music on us.
      Good point Isaiah
      Best.

      Liked by 1 person

    3. It’s definitely interesting to realize that every thought, action, and emotion is just our brain reacting to a series of chemicals being released.

      Liked by 1 person

    4. i agree with you when you say “whene the kesha song was playing in class we feal tempted to move because of the beat of the music and the way our brain react to the song”.

      Like

    1. I meant to reply to your comment where I believe the reason why is because in Psychology they study the behavior of the mind while the psychological aspect is the study of living being and the function of the organism. The Physiology of music tells us how music influence the mind of a person and the effect it has to our brain.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I am making sure i got this clear you stated that “psychology is the study of the mind while the physiological aspect is the study of living being and the function of the organism, but don’t they both ties into each other when it comes on to music,because when listening to a music ;due to our brain our mind reacts to it in many ways .so in order to understand a piece “psychology” will come in place because we would want to have the knowledge of how our mind reacts to a music by knowing the function of the brain and how dopamine for example comes in to place when we listen to music and how it influences us on the other hand(physiology). Are else we would be listening to a piece and be in the position to question our self and how do i just react to music like this? and what influence me to?

        Like

        1. Dear Nakieshia,Tijia and Isiah

          I would like just to share a small information. In psychology, we learn both anatomy (structure of the nervous system) and physiology (function). However, physiology of the brain or its reaction to music is studied in a specific field called Neuromusicology
          Best.

          Liked by 3 people

    2. I think they do in more advanced areas of psychology. if you are studying music therapy, they go into the physiological affects music has.

      Liked by 1 person

    3. That’s a good question but you also need to remember that Psychology is a really board study and has many disciplines within it. There’s about 13 major branches within Psychology and I believe that if professor was to refer to one out of the 13 branches, it would make the course confusing. Not to mention they need to complete with the amount of time they need for lecture. Which is why most colleges, break up this study into classes for professors who master in these 13 branches.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I believe the reaction why our bodies react to music is because our body itself naturally respond to sounds which will transmit directly to our brain. We humans are naturally influenced by music and it allows us to experience different type of emotion which directly effects our brains. The main reason why our bodies react to music is because the sound of music effects different part of our brain and gives us different type of feeling such as happiness, sadness, etc.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. The reason why is because in Psychology they study the behavior of the mind while the psychological aspect is the study of living being and the function of the organism. The Physiology of music tells us how music influence the mind of a person and the effect it has to our brain.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. i agree, individually people react to music differently. Music automatically allows people personally release tension, making us more mentally and physically relax. While reading “Music A social Experience” by Steven Cornelius. Throughout the introduction ninety three year Veva Campbell was mention, she is normally slumb wordlessly within her wheelchair. Her granddaughter is an out of town musician who plays the violin. She suddenly decides to play the violin for her grandmother, miss Campbell suddenly sits up and begin to sing along to the traditional hymns. This experience demonstrates that music is power, it reveals that music heals, reunites, transforms and inspires. I agree that music in general influences physical, mental and emotional reactions.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. I agree with you. music do effect our brain. When i feel sad i will like to listen to music by myself. it will make me feel much better, and when i was in a party music can make my body move it by itself. This is call the reaction of the music.

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Definitely agree with you on this. As humans, each one of us is affected emontionally by music. For example one piece of music may have more of an emontionally impact on me ( or you ) than on others.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Question: If the music effect the Physiology of a human then is it possible that music can also effect other animals that have hearing similar to a human?

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I found the article fascinating since it detail how canine use sound to communicate with each other and to show their mood just like a human being. It also shows that with music dogs will be effected by what type of music is played such as how soothing music will relax a dog while loud and fast-pace will change their behavior. This shows that dogs not only understand music that’s playing but also can sense the mood of it.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Definitely also agree, the foundation of music experiences takes part throughout our brain. Music in general have different impacts on people personally, in addition to sickly or individuals with disorders i believe they can excess task beyond their given reach through music.

      Like

    3. It is possible, I believe it’s why birds sing to music or dance and many other people have recorded domestic animals reacting to music positively or negatively.

      Like

    4. I agree with you, I think it might be possible. Music can effect other animals just like it does to use humans. It might not seem like it at times but animals have their own moods and emotions. For example last week my dog was going crazy because my neighbors had their gardeners doing their lawn and the equipment they used bothered his ears so I put on some Greek music for a good 10 minutes and he started to calm down and fell asleep. This proves that animals are effected by music the same way I use.

      Like

  5. If physiological reactions are involuntary, why don’t we all enjoy the same music to the same degree? If physiological reactions aren’t done without the will are conscious control we don’t often enjoy the same music to the same degree due to many reasons ,two important reasons are due to : Culture and Experience. Culture is our way of life and the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people defined from
    Languages,Religions,Habits,Musics and Arts.
    Two people from two different cultures can listen to a piece of music and see and view it in two different perspectives, probably because of there life experience,Language are even the way they learn to listen and grasp information.I strongly believe that our brain contribute to this. According to Deanna Choi “things happen when we like the sounds we’re hearing (our eyes dilate, our pulse changes, our body releases dopamine)” because the brain is set up in a way that our body receives messages from it and give us the knowledge of how we feel,or even our reaction towards anything.The release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, an essential signaling molecule in the brain can lead us to a peak of emotional moment are a feel of chill when we listen to music. we cant help it at times to nod our heads,dance are even prevent our self from getting in our feelings when listening to it. I might be listening to a piece and only focus my mind on a certain part of the music because it might ties into my cultural life,are past experience,where i might only be able to connect to that part of a song and take it even personal enough for it to change my mood.while others might listen to it and see the piece in so much different perspectives and connect to it in many other different ways.People might also not understand the piece due to it being in a different language, but can be able to react to it due to the rhythm and can give an idea of the tempo of the song.

    Like

    1. i agree. Even though you may not understand the words in a piece of music, you can still be affected by it. The beat of the song can be what grabs your attention as opposed to the lyrics. I think that’s the beauty of music. I didn’t fully understand the words in the samples played in class but I was able to understand what someone else would connect with. In the piece played by i think the composers name was Orlando de Lasso, the chant like way the artist sang was very soothing to me but to someone else it may have just been annoying.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. i understand what your saying ,i was just trying to make sure i understand what you were saying clearly.

        Like

  6. i think our bodies reaction to music, whatever kind it is, is caused by a memory that piece of music evoked. For example how many of us have heard an Adele song and immediately were reminded of your own personal experience that was similar to what she was singing about and then felt sad afterwards without even realizing you were still sad about that situation?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree. Particular songs from Adele did provoke a sad emotion but as well as motivated feeling in her song “Rolling in The Deep” because of the beat even though the lyrics of the song was about her getting her heart broken.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. I think that our bodies react to music due to our sub conscious associating music to memories. In fact I think it goes as far saying there may be a link between the music we like and our personalities. Music can go beyond the range and limits of cultural boundaries and everyone can understand music but not everyone can speak the language. Music is a universal language that everyone can speak and understand interpreting it in their own way.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. I think music is good for the brain. My uncle had an accident, and become brain death. My aunt have been at his bedside to take care of him everyday. My aunt often took a old DV player put on table next to the bed, and turned on theirs song. Every time when my aunt turned on the music. My uncle’s fingers move it slightly. So i believe music is good for the brain.

    Like

  9. Question: Can music completely cure a person that have been brain death for years? and let him to wake out again? I believe that music can effect the brain, but can music complete completely cure a person?

    Like

    1. Brain death is complete and irreversible brain function so I don’t really think music can cure a person that has brain death since the bodies blood supply to the brain is blocked. If the cure was music there would be a cure for it already. I do agree music does have many effects on the brain and can help a person but completely cure a person, probably not.

      Like

      1. I agree with you. I think there aren’t any treatments out there to actually cure a person but there are such things as music therapy and I think thats what Deanna was saying in her video. Did you know that pythagoras, the mathematician who is best known for the pathagorean theorem, was also the first person to prescribe music as medicine? he believed that music was able to heal the phyical body. People would probably laugh at him today if he was to say that but we can see that he did this because he knew that music was that powerful to people.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Personally, I don’t believe that animals recat to music the same way we do, but I do think they do have some sort of emontionally response or behavior to the pitch or beats of music.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I agree with you. I think the way they listen is different to how we listen to music. I dont think they actually HEAR anything. i think they react to the sound waves. I’m not completely sure but does anyone else know if they react to the sound itself or the sound waves?

        Like

        1. I am actually thrilled that someone brought this topic up. I tested this hypothesis with my own dog a few months prior to today (approximately 5-6 months). My objective was to get him comfortable with sleeping in the basement. Initially he was not very fond of the idea due to the fact that he spent most of his time in the common room. He played there, ate snacks there, and even slept on the sofa. I thought to myself “enough is enough” and I looked online endlessly for a method to curb his behaviour . I happened to stumble upon a channel on YouTube that made claims such as “Music Guaranteed to Make Your Dog Sleep” as well as others. This is the channel https://www.youtube.com/user/relaxmydog
          At first I thought it was a hoax but I thought to myself “What’s the worst that could happen?” So I played the music for my dog and long story short, he willingly sleeps in the basement now. What I have concluded is that all animals, not just dogs, try to make sense of their environment based on the sounds that they hear. Dogs/Cats do not listen to music/sounds like we do, but they do understand sounds like we do based on the principle of “frequency”. A dog/cat will react negatively to hardcore punk band like The Nerve Agents, due to the extreme nature of how sounds waves are delivered. From the thundering bass lines to the almost deafening and fast-paced guitar solos, no wonder a cat/dog would react in such a way (especially since their hearing is much more acute than ours). This is in contrast with a song like Claude Debussy’s “Suite Berganmusque: III. Clair de lune” with it’s gentle, almost wave-like pace, and its imperturbable delivery. It does not overtly stimulate you, but rather in a more progressive manner and that’s what would help a dog/cat feel a sense of tranquility. The state of slowing one’s pace, simply because the “voice of the environment” has set such a pace. The maxim that everything in the universe pursues a state of equilibrium. In other words: Being harmonious with nature.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. My dog is the same as well, I don’t know why but my brother likes to play piano music for him, but I don’t think he cares what music he listens to since he’s unfazed by it at all.

            Like

    2. Probably, animals don’t respond to music the same way as humans, and yet we should not underestimate animals knowing that several medical and scientific experiments were tested on animals, and were applied on humans. so, who knows?
      (”it is certain that our brains are more advanced”)

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Personally, I think that animals react to music because have a cat and I see that she enjoys music. Every time I listen to one of my favorite Koran song, she sits next to me until the song is over. I really like to see her hears moving while the song is playing. She is so adorable😍🐱.

      Like

  11. I believe that our reaction to music has alot to do with our upbringing and the influence of society today. Does anyone agree with this ?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes i agree with you, I believe our social and cultural backgrounds impact our taste in music heavily. Speaking of upbringing, I that people who are influenced from early childhood is due to cultural reasons. These cultures tend to have the same taste in music. Although it’s not always true, many will consider their taste of music a cultural norm.

      Like

      1. I believe that people who are influenced from early childhood is due to cultural reasons*
        (Replying cause of my Typo) haha

        Like

    2. I have to agree that music has an impact on everyone differently. There may be factors such as memories , culture, upbringing and social factors that also contribute to why we like and dislike certain types of music. People may prefer certain genres over other because of the music they have heard growing up, the culture they are raised by and also their religious background. I completely agree with you.

      Like

    3. I do agree to this but interestingly enough according to human growth and development classes I’ve taken the human psyche is so complex that if you were to go through the same events as today with the same upbringing and everything you could have reacted differently or possibly might have if the situation was repeated. Even without prior knowledge of the event you could perceive
      It differently for some strange reason and then have had an opposite or similar reaction.

      Like

  12. Like Deanna says in her video, the pysiological reaction to music develops our brain. Scientists also tells us that students who study music are better mathematicians. There was a study on a group of 2nd grade students who got 2 pianos lessons per week for 4 months. The end result? 15-41% improvement in math. This is because when you play an instrument like the violin, piano, or anything that involes using two hands, you have to multi-task with reading the cords together which develops both your left and right side of the brain. Deanna tells us that our brain is a muscle- if we work our brain the more knowledgable we can get. Albert Einstein was a great mathematician but also played the violin sinc he was 6yrs old( maybe this was why he was able to become that smart). Its very interesting to me how music can make one smarter and develop the brain.

    Like

  13. Chills, goosebumps, and that electrifying feeling we often get listening to our favorite music. It’s something Deanna Choi skipped over during the TedX. But if you read the article posted by Dr.Jones, you can get a glimpse at what chills are, and why they happen. The main study Scicurious explains in the article, is when we listen to our favorite, or symbolic music, there is peak emotional areas in a song that produce dopamine, during these peak times we can receive chills. He goes on to explain how the team who created the study, produced their findings.
    Now to me that article is a great starter but there is something more to chills and… how cold they really are. Maria Sumpf and her team at the university of Berlin explain that, we as individuals growing up have learned responses to specific tones, and sounds which become imprinted into memory. As we grow up and hear those specific sounds in music again, our brains recognizance the sounds in a positive or negative manner recreating memories. Memories are a strong influence on an individuals emotion, triggering chills. That’s my belief, and it could be a possible reason why our bodies react to music.
    This could also explain why people who listen to the same music, will not experience the same pleasure. A study done by David Ellison and his team at the university of Helsinki explained that some individuals would end up disliking certain tones and sounds that others would not. Which could be the reason why some people get chills to certain songs and others don’t. I will also include the study Scicurious explains, and a couple others mentioned above, as possible reasons why we react so strongly to music. They can be found on the library database (Ebsco).

    Effects of Aesthetic Chills on a Cardiac
    Signature of Emotionality.

    Affective Versus Cognitive Responses to Musical Chords:
    An ERP and Behavioral Study.

    The Rewarding Aspects of Music Listening Are Related to
    Degree of Emotional Arousal.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. I believe that our body’s reaction to music has a lot to do with the way that our brains receive the sound waves that we listen to. since every area of the brain also releases chemical stimulants, these sounds trigger our brain receptors to release chemicals that may cause or moods or feelings to change different as individuals. Our auditory receptors are all unique, some of us may be receiving these pitches and tones and stimulating different parts of the brain. making each persons experience different because of factors like volume, genres, mood , memories, and or culture.

    Liked by 3 people

  15. Physiology in music is intriguing. It’s amazing how music can affect the brain waves resulting those in voluntary movements through the body. Deanna Choi, as well as many researchers proved it’s due to the fact of dopamine floods through the brain cells. Whether your dancing, tapping you feet, or even just nodding your head, we’ve all felt the need to do something when our “jam” is on.

    Like

  16. Question: When I was a child my grandmother used to talk to her plants to make them grow . I’ve seen experiments on plants that also state that plants react to music and tones. Do you think it’s possible for music and tones to not only affect humans and animals , but also plant life in a positive way ?

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Question: If music makes us involuntarily move, why is it that some people listen to music on the plane to try to fall asleep?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Great Question! Most people internalize music differently than most. Some people listen to music to relax themselves in situations where they may feel nervous or overwhelmed as a way to cape with their nerves. What funny is that I used to be a science instructor in the summer time, and while my students completed their work and such, I used to play like instrumental “jazz-like” music just because I hated the silence. And I noticed that once I stop the routine of music playing while my student write, some students will feel frustrated, have writers block or even lose focus and I never really Fathom why this was all suddenly start to happen. Now I get it :).

      Like

      1. as i was saying to another person’s comment certain songs make affect your mood, when your on a plane and your listening to music you would want to have a calm playlist nothing that makes you want to move around because you can’t your like 20,000 feet in the air lol,

        Like

  18. Some music is used to soothe us or get our minds off tense situations . Personally I listen to music on a plane so I don’t hear the plane engines and let my nerves get the best of me . Some people just use it to doze off , but in my CaseI use it to let my mind escape my anxiety of flying. In short I use it as a distraction to get away from my nervousness .

    Like

    1. I agree with you on how music also helps us to soothe our mind in a tense situation. When i feel scared or mad i tend to listen to music, It gets my mind to think of something different than the situation i’m in.

      Like

  19. The musician Choi said that music makes our brain release dopamine that has an euphoric effect on the body, and yet she did not mention the sad effect of the music as well as anxiety that a listener can experience, for example, music with high pitch and enhanced melodic passages can make certain listeners anxious. Also music with sad lyrics can let other people unhappy when they listen to it.
    Again, according to Choi and other psychologists, music has an euphoric effects on our bodies. these effects are interpreted by our relaxation and relief. So, I believe that our need to this relief is what makes our bodies respond to music.
    In addition, each person or group of people respond to music differently. From my perspective, there are several factors that makes our bodies don’t respond the same way; such as the age and gender, for example, I like to listen to soft music. Il makes relaxed, whereas, my son thinks that it is boring. He likes music with high beats.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t think she has an effect on how we react to music because nowadays old people listen to drake and react the same way us. I have been in few concerts and I have see many old people turning up at the concert like us teenagers do. I know there some old people who hate on new musics and they don’t react the same but it’s not the age what causing them to react that way. It’s their personality, mindset and there mode at that moment.

      Like

    2. I don’t think it had an affect on age, I just think its just a societal thing of what type of music appeals to either children, teens, or adults

      Like

  21. I think that our reaction to a song wouldn’t be the same everytime we listen to that song. There are many reason that our reaction to a song can change. One reason is your surrounding. When you outside in a public place and then listen a pump song you would just sing that song on your mind. But if you listen to that song when you at a party with your friends you would scream as loud as you can and dance as crazy as you can. So the environment while you listening to a music can change your reaction to a song. Another reason can be our current mood while you listening to a song. For example if you listen to “love yourz ” by j cole when you’re having a sad day you will probably end up crying by the song ends but if you listen to that song when you had a good day and you feel great about self you will take every line of that song in a positive way and you will feel motivated so your mood when you listening to music can change the way of reaction.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Good question. I would personally say the singing part because that’s usually words and in some songs an artist can say something influential. A good example Fabolous (rapper) who is known for his rhymes and real lyrics on relationships, money, friendships, loyalty, etc.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. I completely agree with the two articles posted above. music whether we like it or not has a great impact on our mood and personality. the way I may feel and react to a song maybe the exact opposite of what another person may feel and that’s the beauty of music. I personally can relate to that colorful egg in the second article. music allows me to zone out, allows me to be within my own mind which I fell raises my level to think and creativity.

    Like

  24. @enouel I believe age has a huge impact on we react to music. the older the person the more they experienced life so they are gonna think different then a kid would and react different as well. for example I’m pretty sure we all been through it, ever been in a car with a parent and say fabolous or whoever it is your listening to comes on and your parents wonder why were even listening to the song. age has a great impact.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Intrestingly enough, I must say that over the years my taste and choice in music has changed due to the changes in life. I can now relate and appreciate certain types of music that I wouldn’t have even think of listening too when I was younger.

      Like

  25. The reason why I think everyone likes different music is because I feel that everyone’s brain is “wired” differently and the fact that everyone’s ears hear things differently. What I mean by this is that the way everyone’s ears react to different frequencies of sound and the chemical reactions that occur in their brains are different. Peer pressure and social factors can play a major role in music taste as well. Since listening to music can be considered a semi-social activity some people may change their tastes in music to better suit those around them. A music also being considered a “top hit” or being sold for extremely low prices can also drive people to listen to certain types of music. The article mentions dopamine being released from the act of listening to music which causes a feel good sensation. From prior experiences in psychology classes and anatomy classes I learned that hearing along with the other senses is driven by chemical and electrical impulses sent to the brain. Certain electrical impulses to one person can produce positive reactions such as dopamine release but to another it may not trigger the release of dopamine due to the way their brain computes the information.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. For me, music can serve as an energizer of sorts. If I’m walking somewhere for instance, and I have my headphones on, if I’m really feeling the song I’m listening to I tire less easily. Also, the faster the beat the faster I walk. Guess this is just one way music affects me physiologically.

    Like

  27. I feel like songs connect to people in away that is stronger than just lyrics and the beat. You can find yourself almost lost into a song to hold a deep meaning for example like when you first hear it

    Like

  28. I believe that our bodies react to music in several ways is due to the amount of energy and the amount of volume it produces, it could either make our mind wake up or make it more relaxed. I also believe that music also help determines ones personality, maybe if you like a lot of upbeat music you might like to go outside more often.

    Like

  30. I feel like adults and children do in fact experience music differently. An adult is more likely to analyze music that they listen to and understand what the song is about. This can also pertain to picking up on different things when they listen to a certain song and also getting a different message/experience then someone else. A child is more likely to experience music in a more simple fashion. For example, not really searching for the meaning of a song or the individualized parts that make the song stand out above others. As for your second question I think that making an unborn child listen to music would affect it. When an individual goes to get an ultrasound the sounds waves bounce off baby like an echo and return to the machine which converts the sound waves into an electronic image

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Question: Has music ever got you pumped to the point where you feel your heart rate increase or your pulse start to race?

    Like

    1. music is a entertainment while language is a way of communication. I mean music Can be used to comunitcate too but not as much as language.

      Like

    2. For me, music and language are the same. Music is universal, and people is able to understand the meaning of the songs without know the language. Sometimes we listen to music that it is not our own language, and suddenly we see our legs or finger start moving. Basically, we can conclude that music is an universal language that everyone understands it.@kmoors94

      Like

    3. There is a fine line between language and music. A language barrier can be broken through music. I think that music is a language in itself because being able to interpret and understand music is extremely open ended.

      Like

  33. I love how she began the speech by stating a very “special” intro by compare sex and chocolate to music. Then explaining the neurological effects that music has on our bodies that correlate to when we having intercourse or about to indulge in our favorite desserts.Before watching this video, I like most of the people she mention in the video mostly viewed music as a type of art. However, with valid pieces of evidence and personal examples she was able to explain music more as a “medicine”, “healer” and even a necessity to our being. She uses the example of her grandmother who was in a coma and wasn’t really responsive but when she played a recording of her and sister playing their violin she was able to move her eyelids. Which I think is amazing ! In 15:14-15:16 she compares music to antibiotics and briefly explains that music might not have the potency as any antibiotics but it has the ability to heal.

    Like

  34. I believe that our bodies are the receptors of many beautiful sounds. when we attend to a dinner party, or even when we are on the bus, and we hear any type of music, then our bodies respond to it. Our brain enjoys the sounds indirectly. Music can also help us to return to our happy or sad memories that are retained in our brain. I feel like music has a tremendous impact on our brains and especially in our emotional lives. Music does not only help us to remember important things but can also help us to change the life of ill people. I have previously experienced working with kids with cancer who were not able to talk and walk, but because of music, their lives changed drastically. Music is able to change the moods of people in many ways. It’s like music is able to penetrate of our bodies and make us discover new feelings that we have never felt before. Many people think that music does not have any effect on them, but what I think is that music can touch the souls of everyone in this world. We are humans, and we have different tastes for everything. Music is no the exception to this rule of choosing. Fortunately, everyone on this planet has the ability and the sensibility to react when they listen to a song. Music on our planet takes on many forms which make music unique in each person experiences. We are unique, and we have unique ways to appreciate music!!

    Like

    1. This is a video that supports my idea that music has a impact on our brain. It also shows how music stimulates every region of our brain and how it helps us to understand our feelings. Music can create different feeling and movements of our body.

      Like

    1. I believe it is! I don’t think music needs any lyrics in order to send a message. Sometimes when people listen to certain songs, we’ll agree that it “sounds sad” or “happy,” or it makes us feel a certain way. Some songs make us want to sing and dance. Other songs make us remember things, or are even designed to help people go to sleep. I really think we can send messages by conveying feelings through music. This is also probably the reason why NASA sent some golden records to space, just in case there was life out there. If anyone, or anything, were to find them, they wouldn’t need to know the language to understand.

      Like

    2. I think that music helps people to communicate and share emotions and feelings. Music is universal and this is the reason why some people can understand the meaning of different songs without know the language. I feel like I am one of those people because I’m able to understand Korean songs, even though I don’t know the language. Music is a way of communicating of feelings and thoughts. @mirajahamed

      Like

  36. We often say that we can’t really describe it or predict it in advance, but we recognize a reaction when we hear a piece of music. While our reactions are not identical, we share enough things in our background and culture to make our reactions and biochemical responses similar. Creators of music can produce the reaction without understanding the biochemistry, so maybe they have experienced such reactions and have learned how to repeat them for themselves and (hopefully) others.

    Liked by 1 person

  37. One thing that really shocked me was the fact that music has the ability to change the shape of our brains. Deanna Choi mentions in the video that the brains of musicians have changed in areas “that are responsible for motor control, auditory processing, and spacial coordination.” Listening to and playing music has an effect on the way your brain functions long term. I knew that music caused dopamine to be released, which makes us feel pleasure, but I didn’t think there would be any long term effects. I thought that it stopped at the feelings of pleasure and goosebumps whenever you hear anything that you like. Now that I think about it, it does explain why pregnant women are encouraged to play music for their babies. Since music positively affects the way our brains grow and change, it only makes sense to use music to influence the brain’s growth, even before the child is born. I also love the theory that music might even be used to heal, or prevent mental illnesses, because of the connections created by music. It’s amazing to know how much music affects us. I’m also really glad that its something I can use to share positive experiences with loved ones.

    Liked by 1 person

  38. This is one of the videos that describes how music can change the life of people. In this video we can appreciate how an old men has a drastically change after listening his old music.

    Like

    1. Personally, having a mood disorder, music plays a big part in my “recovery” or my way of dealing with my mood swings. I and other people with similar issues can attest to using music to cope during both the highs and the lows of our illness. I wouldn’t go so far to say it can treat mental illness but i would say it is more of a coping mechinism

      Liked by 1 person

          1. That’s true, but sometimes people need something that boost up their happiness. I personally think that music is the key.

            Like

  40. When i listen to music I dont just feel dopamine flooding my body i feel all my emotions at once. I dont understand how music can help coordination and stuff like that.

    Like

  41. One of the psychological not mention in the video that i have experienced would be the changing of emotion that i have or the amount of stress that i have relieved with certain types of music, and another one would be me ending up dancing to certain rhythms or beats of the music. I think our bodies react to music because its in our nature to actually end up having a physiological response to the music, for example sometimes people cry during churches to the songs or singing of religious holy songs because of their emotions and connections to music, I’ve actually witnessed this. The reactions we have to music are involuntary but we don’t enjoy the same music because i believe the way we react all depends on our personality and emotions at the time, and were all different therefore some people would dance to country while others wouldn’t enjoy that kind of music because they’re not used to it or they didn’t grow up to it or they just plain don’t like it.

    Like

    1. I agree with you, these were physiological reactions that I have felt as well that I also felt was under-represented in the video. I have been moved by pieces of music many times. Certain songs provoke me to feel sad, while others can make me feel happy and pick up my mood when I’m feeling down. Many songs also help relieve me of stress and also help me focus while studying. I have never found myself provoked to dance to a song, however, but I do understand why. I believe that people’s backgrounds have a firm role in what styles of music mean most to an individual and what songs may cause a greater reaction from that individual listener.

      Liked by 1 person

  42. I know, for certain, that I have had many of the physiological reactions stated in both the video as well as the article. Most notably, I have definitely gotten the “chills” when listening to songs which bare a special significance to me (scicurious, 2011), as well as been especially excited as I anticipate my favorite part of a song. As my favorite song begins to reach the chorus, I notice myself begin to tap my feet, and my heartbeat races as I wait for the chorus of the song to start. This is not a surprise, however, as Deanna explains that this is a natural human reaction to listening to music. But why do certain songs mean so much to me, whereas they may not mean as much to someone else? Personal experiences may also play a large factor in one’s feelings towards one musical piece as opposed to another. I believe that the things we experience throughout our lives shape and define us as people, and as such, also have say over what may hold special meaning for us. Where the lyrics of a song may hold special meaning to me, they may seem inconsequential to some and they may look past the song altogether. I believe our personal life experiences alter and determine what music may hold meaning to us as individuals.

    Like

  43. QUESTION: Does a song in an unfamiliar/foreign language have less of a chance of evoking an emotional/physical reaction in an individual than a song in the individual’s own language?

    Like

  44. Listening to the music in the video i felt different types of emotions going on in my brain. The music being played made me imagine a short film going on. Its like something is always happening at every change of the tone. As the tone became soft i imagined a person enjoying the breeze but after the tone got higher it was as a big tornado was coming its way so the person kept running till he/she got home safely. The higher the tone got for me, the more i felt my heart beat faster, as it slowed down i felt more relaxed. The reason why our body reacts to music is when the beat or melody catches into us. We will move our body the way the music is being played. If it gives us a up tone beat, we start to dance and when the music gives us a down beat, it gets us to relax and just enjoy the melody.Not everyone has the same music preference. Everyone has different taste, different feel and different hearings. Some may enjoy classical or acoustic and deep music, and some may enjoy upbeat tones. Not everyone could hear music in the the same way .

    Like

  46. Music speaks to everyone in the world. The music we listen to sometimes shows how a persons personality is, from my point of view. People also play different music based of their emotions. Whatever they are feeling their choices of music change too.

    Like

    2. @forjule7 it depends on what type of music , certain genres keep you calm and relaxed so you concentrate on what you are doing for example some people might listen to classical music to write an essay, other genres might make you forget where you are like i know when i listen to house music i zone out and don’t know whats going on for hours

      Like

  47. Music can also affect babys not just adults. From my experiences watching my little brother my mom use to sing him lullabies so he could fall alseep.

    Like

  48. After reading this, i felt like this backed up my points connecting music and the way our brain works. I feel like certain sounds and repetition that is pleasurable in a song sticks with you in sort of a hypnotizing way. Its the sound that may make a song have replay value. When our brain likes a song, we tend to listen and fully engage rather than have the song turned down and played in the background. When a song is enjoyed we turn it up loud and put it in our headphones.

    Like

  49. well from reading this now i finally understand why i think some songs i just cant get over and some songs i am like ” please pass me the aux cord we are not listing to that again ” my body also reacts to music when i look at a person and realize how talented they are and then also thinking wow they still have room for improvement and can grow to a new level, this is one thing for me that makes my body want to react to certain music the way i do.

    Liked by 1 person

  50. It was interesting seeing that anticipation and experience of music occurs in two seperate regions of the brain. This meant the anticipation before hearing a favorite song but I wonder if the same applies to the music itself, with the build-up of a track firing off the dorsal and a favorite section (or ‘drop’) being the moment of true experience.

    Liked by 1 person

  51. I believe our bodies react to the sound waves. I watched a movie recently, and they explained the basics of being a DJ. Since our hearts are almost never synchronized, they have to start off at a low bpm and continue to raise it. When you sync up to one’s heart beat you can, in a way, control it. For example, music festivals play all these fast tempo songs can speed up your heartbeat and get you excited.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think I know what movie your talking about, but I don’t quite remember the name. I have a small background when it comes to being a DJ nothing special really. I can relate to what you saying though about the beats per minutes. Starting off lower and then having it slowly escalate is a great way to establish a sense of control.

      Like

  52. who would of thought the release of dopamine is linked to getting runners high, having sex , listening to your favorite song over and over etc,

    Like

  53. My person experience when listening to different types of music is completely different every time, even if it is the same song. There is just an influx of emotion. i guess that is the dopamine. It makes me wonder about if i like a song because I really like it, or because my brain likes it.

    Like

    1. This happen to me most of the time when i say i don’t like a song but at the end of the day i find myself singing it.

      Like

  55. “Without music, life would be a mistake” music plays an important part in our life’s and without music we would not get as much idea what is going on around us in the world, and also life would be stressfull without music. Music is the only thing that can make us happy from our sad moment, according to the video our brains only retain what we wanted to hear and let go of the part that we don’t need or wanted to listen to.

    Like

  56. It is interesting to think how if we have a physiological effect because of music whether each person has a unique reaction or if the base reaction is the same and the reaction to the reaction is different. Like for instance when a song is ‘lit’ it means many people are having a similarly heightened response to music , but just because everyone is having the same response doesn’t mean that everyone has the same opinion of the song .

    Like

  58. Pingback: Composers as people (Online Class Discussion #4) – Dr. Jones' Music Classes

Comments are closed.