psych of music notes 1&2

Music psychology seeks to understand

how and why humans engage with music

music psychologists explore

• origins of music

• bodily responses to music

• emotional reactions to music

biology’s contributions

studies of life, organisms, and physiological responses to music

anthropology’s contributions

examination of musical behavior across cultures and history

philosophy’s contributions

exploration of the nature, meaning, and emotional responses to music

education’s contributions

historical context of music in education and its impact on musical teaching and learning

psychology’s contributions

focus on perception, cognition, and emotional responses to music

sociology’s contributions

analysis of music’s role in social interactions and various societal structures

music’s contributions

insights from musicians and theorists into music’s structural and therapeutic aspects

physic’s contributions

study of sound, acoustics, and the physical properties that influence musical experiences

modern music psychology began in the:

19th century with German and English scholars

Carl Seashore (1866-1949):

Considered the father of modern music psychology

Carl Seashore thought the field would be titled:

“Science of Music”

Humans are Unique: Biological differences

our brain power

Humans are Unique: Adaptability

plasticity; neuroplasticity

Humans are Unique: Cultural Development

Modifying our environment instead of getting modified

Humans are Unique: Symbolic Behaviors

non-verbal forms of communication

Humans are Unique: Love

without we’d suffer severe physical and psychological consequences

Humans are Unique: Play

celebrations are a formalized style of play, such as weddings and birthdays

Humans are Unique: Religion

music can take us beyond confines of words with spiritual feelings

Humans are Unique: Technology

tool-making

Humans are Unique: Aesthetic sensitivity

humans are predisposed to seek out and create beauty

Humans are Unique: Knowledge

Humankind has natural propensity for seeking knowledge

Absolutists:

the meaning of music resides exclusively within music itself (melody, harmonies)

Referentialists

finds the meaning of music in the extramusical referents (images, actions, emotions)

Formalists:

find meaning through an understanding of creative processes within music

Expressionists:

believes the value of music comes from expression of human feelings and emotions

Praxialism

value of music comes from understanding it, actively engaging in it, and reflecting on the experience

Phenomenology

value of music comes from the whole-body experience of music

Pragmatism

Music is valued when it provides an aesthetic experience (like at a concert)

Social Philosophy

music is valued for its social context (like protest music)

Feminism

roles of gender in music

Postmodernism

all music has equal value

Golden Mean

0.618

Rene Descartes (in favor of truths and observations)

“I think therefore I am”

David Hume (founder of skeptic/agnostic school of phil.)

“There are many truths”

Ten Ways we know, understand, express, value, and share music

1. Feelings

2. Aesthetic experiences

3. the ineffable

4. thoughts

5. structure

6. time and space

7. self-knowledge

8. self-identity

9. group knowledge and identity

10. healing and wholeness