The Neuroscience of Music and Emotion

This course explores the mystery of music and emotion. Learn how melodies and rhythms can wordlessly “speak,” and why we are willing to listen. See how musical taste forms and learn why it is so personal. We first examine music-induced emotions in the tight bond between auditory and motor systems: the link that makes song and dance such perfect partners. Then we include the reward system to build a triangle of neural connectivity, giving each music lover their own unique “listener profile” of musical enjoyment. Upon completion of this course, you will understand how music gives rise to emotions and be able to list the three stages of emotion generation and how it works when listening to music. You will also be able to describe your personal listener profile and discuss how singing or listening to a song we like causes chemical reactions in our brain that release dopamine, encouraging us to keep listening. The course reveals why we like certain songs by analyzing perception across musicians and non-musicians, cultural influences, metrical structures, and tonality. All of these factors show that every emotional response is unique, as it also depends on internal and external conditions, such as when (and with whom!) we are listening.