Origins of Music and Its Effects on the Brain

Origin of Music

The first music of mankind was probably singing and percussion.

They may have expressed their emotions in the pitch and volume of their voices, as we do.

At the same time, they must have naturally acquired the skills of clapping their hands and smashing things together to make noise.

The oldest flute in the world was made about 40,000 years ago.

It seems that it was made music by blowing a hole in the bone and blowing on it.

History is always changing, so you may find another form of instrument from a much earlier time.

In any case
We humans have been in contact with sound for a long time, and have evolved and progressed
and progressed along with sound.

Music and Emotion

Many people have experienced a change in mood after listening to music.

Music transforms us into various emotions such as joy, peace, sadness, emptiness, and excitement.

The study of music psychology and psychoacoustics shows that music has a great impact on humans, and that there are still many unknowns.

There is no doubt that sound is a major factor in our ability to live in control of our emotions.

Conversely, if you can use sound well, you can control your emotions.

Of course, playing music that matches your emotions can change your mood.

But more than that, it can delight, entertain, and inspire those around you who listen to the music.

Music preference and its effect on the brain

In a paper by Yukiko Nuki (as of 2018), who serves as president of the Japan Society for Music Psychology and Music Therapy, et al, the following is stated.

<Preface.

No statistically significant differences were found in EEG mean frequency or slope coefficient, and no clear relationship was found between sensory preferences and EEG fluctuations.

<Omitted.

It was suggested that differences in familiar music may be reflected in brain function.

SOURCE.
EEG Variability and Mood Changes Induced by Music Listening, and Relationship between Music Preference and Personality Traits

In other words, the effect of music on the brain is that, regardless of personal likes and dislikes, songs that are relaxing (such as Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik) have a relaxing effect, while songs that are uplifting (such as modern EDM) have a mood-enhancing effect.

However, the more familiar the song is than the first time you hear it, the greater the effect on your brain, perhaps because you can predict what is going to happen next. If you are used to listening to enka, you can expect to feel relaxed and uplifted by enka, and if you are used to listening to Western music, Western music will have a greater impact.

As with anything, it is easy to feel tired of seeing and hearing new things, so this may be a factor. This may also be the reason why we are more inclined to watch old songs when they are on TV, as long as they are from the same generation.

Musical preferences and psycho-mental status

On the other hand, according to a paper by Misa Otsuji and Nahoko Sato

It was found that there were differences in the types of BGM sounds and song preferences depending on the mental health status of the listener, and that people with lower depressive tendencies were more willing to listen to BGM.

Source: Association between listeners’ mental health and music preferences.

It is stated.

In other words, the songs that the listener wants to hear will depend on his or her mental state.

In conjunction with Yukiko Nuki’s paper, we can see that

The songs we want to listen to change depending on our mental state, and the more familiar they are, the greater their effect on our brains.”

That is what I mean.

Finally.

Both papers, to me, as a science major, have too few mothers to be called “statistical.”…

Humans may instinctively seek out music that suits their mental situation in order to stabilize and prepare themselves.

Music is a strange and wonderful thing.

Let’s all use music to improve the lives of those around us!