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| Attribute this work: photosteve101 |
Do certain songs bring back specific memories and emotions in relation to past experiences? Do you listen to different genres of music based on the way you are feeling? Music is expressive, and can elicit different emotions. It plays a large role in everyday life, and can act as a connector to past actions and events.
I reflected on how influential music has been in my life. I grew up listening to classical music, and singing campfire songs with my family. I sang in a choir for many years, and have been a supporter of the live music scene in Calgary. Currently I play music to enhance my emotions, for enjoyment, and to bring back past feelings or a memory. I have always wondered how music has the ability to evoke emotion, and remain a conduit for memories.
Music and Emotion
The New York Times article, 'To Tug Hearts, Music First Must Tickle the Neurons' takes a look at how scientists are trying to understand and quantify what makes music expressive. It was found that the area of the brain that is stimulated by music is also the same area that stimulates the emotion of empathy. The human brain understands music as not only an emotional aberration, but as an action. It was discovered that emotional evocation from music is related to a change in the musical patterns. The studies show that emotions are influenced differently as a result of the timing, length and volume of musical notes, the element of surprise in a song, and whether or not an individual had past experience playing an instrument. By increasing their knowledge of how the brain works it could be observed that music plays an important role in human development, communication, cognition, and therapeutic endeavors.
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| Attribute this work: photosteve101 |
Music and Memory
Music has the ability to bring about certain memories or feelings attached to experiences. It has been shown that music connects to a specific area of the brain, 'Music is also processed by the lower, sensory levels of the brain, making it impervious to later memory distortions. Therefore creating a strong connection between emotion and music within memory makes it easier to recall one when prompted by the other.' Essentially the brain stores the music with its attached memory, and when the brain is reminded of the memory or hears the music attached to a memory it is recalled.
The variation of tone, and timing in music effects the brain and plays a role in the emotional relationship between the music and the listener. While the memories connected to music are stored in a protected area of the brain. I have created many memories while listening to music, and played many songs to mimic my feelings. I now have a greater insight as to what is happening in my brain when I listen to music.
Venues in Calgary to go check out live music and make some new memories...
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