Psychology of Music: How to Tune Yourself to a Certain Mood Using Different Genres

From ancient drumbeats to modern streaming services, music plays a vital part in human society and experience. And while the psychology of music is a profound discipline, researchers have figured out some mood-boosting therapeutic benefits of music. 

Music has the potential to induce different emotional states. As such, people can listen to music with the intent to achieve self-awareness or regulate mood. In fact, a carefully selected playlist can create a long-term effect on your brain functions and mood. We think you’ll get better results on jewels world when you take control and use music psychology to your advantage. 

Here, we explore the psychology of music and how you can create certain moods using music. 

Music Genres Induce Different Emotional States

When listening to songs, we often experience different emotions that can manifest in various stages. However, specific genres won’t alter your psychology or mood just because they’re considered depressing or uplifting. Multiple factors influence your emotions and perception. A recent study discovered clear connections between how people approach music psychology and the various ways psychology can be leveraged to boost happiness and alleviate sadness.

The music psychology research found that people who were instructed to improve their mood succeeded after listening to the happy tunes of Copland -the American rock band. However, participants who didn’t receive the exact instructions didn’t show any improvements. As such, listening to happy tunes will only improve your mood and psychology when you have the intent. 

Notably, sad music is not a ‘downer’ by itself. Instead, music and psychology experts agree that sad genres offer catharsis to people already experiencing sadness. By getting in touch with the emotions causing pain, it becomes easier to process the feelings. 

Use Music Psychology to Create the Right Mood 

Music can be stressful if it’s not your type and you don’t like it. It’s quite hard to listen to a genre you don’t like, and it can lead to strong effects on your psychology and emotions. But when a tune evokes positive emotions, you are synced with the tune, which can make a significant difference. 

You can use music psychology facts to create the desired atmosphere and set the appropriate mood for any occasion. Different genres affect your psychology differently, and it’s your job to choose what you want to experience. 

1. Relaxed Mood

Music can be the perfect remedy when you are coping with stress. Music psychology researchers have studied and experimented with the specific genres that can induce quick relaxation. The study used multiple combinations of frequencies, durations, and amplitudes to pinpoint which genres have a relaxing effect. 

Most calming music compositions were classic works identical to Chopin’s. Relaxing tunes tend to decrease the cortisol levels in your system, therefore, inducing a relaxing effect.

2. Higher Concentration

With all the hassles in life, many people are struggling with chronic procrastination -especially when you can’t shake off that weekend mood. Similarly, psychology students find it hard to switch back to ‘study mode’ after the holidays. Typically, the psychology of overcoming this challenge requires more than a dose of motivation. 

Instead, you can create the appropriate conditions to foster optimum brain activity and maintain concentration. Scientific research on music in psychology has revealed that Mozart and similar compositions can improve concentration. And that’s because the tunes stimulate brain areas responsible for enhancing memory. 

Surprisingly, peak brain activity sets in when the sound fades away and allows the relaxed mind to work in full swing. Also, research shows that listening to Baroque tunes helps you master the unwavering concentration needed to process complex data and concepts. 

3. Get Into a Happy Mood

Dopamine is a body hormone responsible for making you feel happy and satisfied. According to psychology studies, listening to your favorite tune stimulates the brain areas that foster pleasure. Music can have the same euphoric effect as eating junk food, sweets, and speaking with your loved ones. 

According to a study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, people who listen to upbeat music genres can experience improved moods and boost levels of happiness in as little as two weeks. When you are immersed in the flow, there is an increase in blood flow to the brain, thus activating areas that bring about emotions, motivation, and arousal. 

4. Grieve When Feeling Sad

Contrary to popular belief, listening to sad genres can induce positive emotional states essential for dealing with issues in life. Typically, when you are immersed in a sad track, you sync yourself with the artist, thus letting emotions flow through the body. As a result, you channel your negative emotions outward. 

Nevertheless, your body rarely reacts to such tunes as it would when you’re facing a stressful situation in real life. Therefore, music therapy in psychology can use genres like the sadder tunes of Stravinsky to help you step into someone else’s shoes and experience pain without compromising your psychology and wellbeing. 

Conclusion

There is a strong connection between the psychology of music and the brain. But, understanding how deep the music psychology connection runs requires purposeful interaction with appropriate genres.

Music affects people at a personal level. When used in the right way and with clear intent, it can help us express different emotions. Once you understand how music affects your psychology, you can start using music psychology for mental conditioning, and you’ll be surprised to discover how fast your mood and performance improve. What’s your experience with the use of music psychology to create certain moods? 

AUTHOR BIOThis article was written by Thomas Glare, who helps aspiring artists. In his articles, he wants to educate artists about how they are being deprived of income. He believes that if people learn about the losses that come from not knowing about proper licensing, artists’ lives will improve.