At full rhythm

Listening to music is a pleasure.

We may not know why, but when we are sad, we tend to listen to melancholic music, and when we are happy, we gravitate towards rhythms that amplify that joy. Music, therefore, not only reflects our mood but can also influence it.

From a very young age, music and all its components—tone, melody, rhythm—affect our mood, which is why lullabies are used to soothe babies

The answer lies in our brain. Music activates areas related to emotions, such as the amygdala and the limbic system, generating emotional and physical responses. It also stimulates the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and happiness.

Moreover, music influences other functions such as respiratory and heart rates, and other biological rhythms, allowing for the reduction of anxiety and aiding in sleep induction. Through music, we can improve affectivity, development, emotional expression and balance, problem-solving, behavior, motor skills, perception, self-esteem, and communication.

Is It the Same for Everyone?

While each person has unique musical tastes and certain music evokes specific emotions, there are general patterns common to most people:

• High-Pitched Tones: These activate specific areas of the brain, and because there are more neurons detecting high tones than low ones, these timbres tend to excite and invigorate, making us feel energetic and euphoric. Thus, notes from a major scale—higher-pitched—stimulate movement, joy, and external expression.
• Lower-Pitched Notes: These are associated with feelings of sadness or deeper emotions. Paradoxically, when we are feeling down, listening to sad music can sometimes bring about a sense of well-being and pleasure, as it resonates with our current emotional state.