What is the scientific explanation of why all people find some form of music pleasing?

Answer 1

There are five elements of music:rhythmn, melody, pitch, harmony, and interval. Rhythmn is the pattern of movement and is the most fundamental,emotional, structural and organizational element of music. Rhythmn can influence structures in the brain such as the limbic system (center for emotions, sensations, feelings)thru creating a trace.

Melody is the ability to express moods, thoughts, ideas, and emotions in a non verbal form of communication.
There can be a broad spectrum of emotion from happy and calm to euphoria and tranquility . In a melody, certain intervals can invoke certain emotions. An example is a longer upward interval jump followed by a slow descending series of notes is considered more upbeat and happy. This can be heard in the song, Somewhere over the Rainbow in the movie ,Wizard of Oz. The most obvious element that changes music is melody ,while rhythmn is the most unconscious element to cause changes.

Pitch is the sound caused by vibrations. By increasing or decreasing vibrations, the pitch becomes higher or lower. The faster vibrations creating a higher pitch, is usually associated with cheerful and happy music. Whereas the slower vibrations creates a lower pitch which is associated with dreariness and depression. The fourth element,harmony is how the the pitches blend togetherto make one sound known as a musical chord. Depending on the intervals between the notes blending together, moods can be created. A major chord is normally associated with cheerful music, while a minor chord (lowering the middle note in a major chord is considered a sad and depressive type of music.

The last element is the interval which is the distance between each note ,effects by engaging the right hemisphere of the brain, which are the intuitive, creative and imaginative methods. These methods directly affect the limbic system . While listening to music, the vibratory motion that moves thru the auditory cortex goes diresctly to the limbic system.

Thru the limbic system, music has the ability to bring forth a broad range of emotional concerns. These different emotional conditions can cause changes in the cardiovascular, neuroendocrine and immune systems. Besides evoking emotions, music can act as a distractor or divert attention for stressful stimuli. A stress response stimulates the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine resulting in the increase in R, RR, B/P, and anxiety levels.

Music may act directly on the autonomic nervous systemwhen the stress response is interruped and anxiety levels are reduced. It is also thru that listening to music, releases endorphins,esp beta endorphins, the body's natural pain reliever, that have been associated with pleasant emotions and pain relief.

Answer 2

I know 2 people who do not like music.They are the saddest people i know.Music is there for our moods.I know a happy,upbeat,sing along song does wonders and I'm sure its the rhythm that must somehow effect serotonin levels releasing endorphins.But then a sad song,or a song we remember from a sad time in our lives,can bring us almost to tears.That im sure is an association thing.great question!

Answer 3

Harmonic Rhythm. Music has a rhythem, the rythem is heard and felt by the human.