Master’s Thesis Document

Abstract:

The emotional outcome of music is well recognized, however data examining the factors that affect the produced musical emotion, are conflicting. These factors can be elements of the music itself (musical instrument, tempo, quality of performance) or can be derived from the listener (age, cultural background, sex.). The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of specific alterations/manipulations of a given piece of music on the derived musical emotions of the listener, evaluated by using specific questionnaire.  The effect of musical experience, sex and age of the listener on the produced musical emotions were also to be examined.

We used 2 musical examples: In the first example the original melody was more upbeat and bouncier (intended to produce a blend of happy and more joyful musical emotions) compared to the second one, in which the melody was pitched and slowed down (to bring a mix of peaceful and milder emotions). A total of 39 subjects participated in the study, divided in 2 groups, according to their musical experience and in 4 subgroups according to their age. All subjects have listened to the 2 musical examples consequently, and they reported the experienced feelings by completing a specific questionnaire. 

Our working hypothesis was verified as we have demonstrated that joyful activation was reduced with the music example 2, while tenderness, nostalgia, and peacefulness were increased. As predicted, the first example was favored towards the stronger and joyful emotions, whereas the second example produced peaceful and mild emotions.  Regression analysis showed that age was the only characteristic of the participants with reverse correlation with the alterations of certain musical emotions. This finding may be an indication that older subjects have a reduced capability to sense and express musical emotions, however other factors such as preference of other type of music cannot be excluded.