The Effects of Different Music Genres on the Brain

If you’ve ever listened to music before, you would know that it has an effect on the listener. Whether it makes you happy or sad, energized or sleepy, music affects the brain. But what exactly is going on inside the brain? There are four main parts of the lobe of the brain, each part reacting to the music. In most songs, many factors are changing constantly. In the beginning, when music first enters the brain, the auditory cortex and cerebellum work together, breaking down the basics such as pitch and volume. Controlling our emotions and causing a reaction is the amygdala. The cerebellum connects the amygdala to the basic information. This then leads to a rush of dopamine. This is when we feel enjoyment from a song. Finally, the caudate controls what your brain is feeling.

In 1993, a study stated that listening to classical music can make children smarter. The study is called the 'Mozart Effect'. A Prezi presentation, utilizing multiple research points, stated that stress hormones were released while listening to classical music. The presentation said that because this music makes people calmer, they must be more intelligent too.

Pop music, however, makes people less calm. The brain receives messages from the auditory cortex, communicating that the music has a high tempo, rhythmic beat, making the person want to sing and dance. Therefore this is a distraction, and wouldn’t be helpful for concentrating. However, since pop music boosts energy, it can be a great aid when exercising.

Metal is believed to help people cope with stress and depression. Since metal contains screams, loud drums, and a fast, changing tempo, the brain is bombarded with different messages. This music drowns out feelings of stress and anger and provides an outlet for these emotions while also giving rise to a strong sense of identity.

Most rap music has a fast tempo, and similarly to pop, this genre of music makes people want to sing and dance. It’s because of the overall catchy, and repetitive backbeats present in these types of songs. Rap can also help reduce depression.

Jazz music can create a great amount of hyperactive neural stimulation. Jazz is made up of a “call-and-response” style. This is where musicians “talk to each other” through their instruments. This type of soothing music can help de-stress someone.

Country music can create feelings of joy. The blend of string instruments, including banjos, harmonicas, acoustic guitars, and more, creates a mellow tune, which is usually upbeat, meaning that this type of music can improve your mood. The Maryland School of Medicine discovered that listening to joyful music, like country, increases blood flow because of the inner blood vessels’ expansion. An increase in blood flow means more oxygen, which means healthier cells.

EDM, or Electronic Dance Music, can improve a variety of different abilities. Whether it’s techno, dubstep, trance, or other related genres, these types of music get you energized. Up-tempo electronic music keeps energy levels high. This usually contains a high tempo, fast rhythm, and strong beats. Conversely, downtempo electronic music helps keep people focused. But both up-tempo and downtempo have a rising and falling rhythm. This replicates the feeling of building anticipation, which produces dopamine.

Overall, music is associated with stress reduction. It’s been shown to help people manage depression and anxiety, and can help people focus too. Besides that, listening to music is fun; it’s meant for your enjoyment.