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TABLE 5 Emotional Effects of Pitch

Pitch Characteristics

Associated Emotions

Low pitch

Fear, seriousness, generally negative emotional valence, also majesty, vigour, dignity, solemnity, tenderness

Low pitch, monotonic

Anger, boredom, sometimes fear

Low pitch, especially octave leap downwards

sadness, melancholy

High pitch

Generally positive emotional valence, happiness, grace, surprise, triumph, serenity, dreaminess

High, rising melody, especially octave leap upwards

Happiness, excitement

Wandering, unfocused

Sadness

TABLE 6 Emotional Effects of Loudness

Loudness Characteristics

Associated Emotions

Soft (quiet)

Generally negative emotional valence—sadness, melancholy; but also tenderness, peacefulness

Soft, not varying much

Tenderness

Moderate, not varying much

Happiness, pleasantness

Loud

Joy, excitement, happiness, triumph, generally positive emotional valence

Very loud, to distortion levels

Anger

Wide changes, soft to loud, especially if quick

Fear

TABLE 7 Emotional Effects of Tone Color

Tone Color Characteristics

Associated Emotions

Simple tone color, few overtones (e.g., flute)

Pleasantness, peace, boredom

Complex tone color, many overtones (e.g., over-driven electric guitar)

Power, anger, fear

Bright tone color, crisp, fast tone attack and decay in performance

Generally positive emotional valence, happiness

Dull tone color, slow attack and decay in performance

Generally negative emotional valence, sadness, tenderness

Violin sounds

Sadness, fear, anger

Drum sounds

Anger

Sharp, abrupt tone attacks

Anger

Effects of Music on General Health

In addition to specific emotional effects, evidence indicates music has some effects on general health. For instance, research findings indicate that …

· Compared with passive listening, active participation in music-making boosts your immune system.

· Listening to music while running can increase the effectiveness of the exercise you do by reducing muscle tension and blood pressure.

· Patients about to undergo an operation experience less anxiety if they listen to music of their choosing for half an hour before surgery, compared with patients who don’t listen to music before surgery.

· If you listen to music while exercising, it puts you in a better emotional state, and you’re more likely to stick with your exercise regime.

· People who sing in choral groups report elevated levels of emotional well-being, an indication of the adaptive history of group singing.

· Music is one of many brain-stimulating activities that may help stave off dementia. To get the benefit, you have to actively play an instrument or sing, not merely listen to music.