Gaby
When we hear a surprising, unpredictable musical composition, its chords often resonate in our hearts. But if the melody is predictable, it tends to hit us in the gut.
A new study from the University of Tokyo and Hiroshima University finds that music produces tangible physical responses in the body.
What the study found
The researchers aimed to uncover how musical themes and individual chords generate specific bodily sensations and emotions. The study involved 527 participants. After listening to eight melodies, the volunteers were asked to indicate which parts of their bodies were affected by the music.
Each melody contained a sequence of chords with varying degrees of uncertainty and surprise. When participants heard an unexpected chord and the melody felt novel and whimsical, they reported sensations in their hearts. Conversely, if the chord sequence was predictable, the music resonated more with their stomachs, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Heart sensations were closely linked to aesthetic appreciation and pleasure. Participants also reported reduced discomfort and anxiety. Meanwhile, stomach sensations, triggered by predictable chord sequences, were associated with calmness, satisfaction, and nostalgia.
Professor and pianist Tatsuya Daikoku at the University of Tokyo said, “Our research shows that certain chord sequences evoke similar bodily sensations in specific organs, particularly the brain, heart, and abdomen.”
He added that music is not just something we hear with our ears; it’s a sensation that involves the entire body. That full-body experience is what truly defines music, he said.
Because the study suggests music is tied to bodily responses, it could be used to relieve stress and improve mental health.
That’s the belief of the study’s authors; their findings were published in the journal iScience.
