ParaSait Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 I think it's quite clear that there is a relation between the music we listen to and the mood(/attitude/lifestyle) we have. The question that I want to discuss, is where is the causality at? Is it the music we choose to listen to that affects our mood/attitude/lifestyle, or is it our mood/attitude/lifestyle that affects which music we prefer? Or maybe both things reinforce each other? Any thoughts about this? (and maybe other interesting things to discuss about the relation between music and mood?)
nathanm Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 In my opinion the baseline of (voluntarily listened to) music's effect on our mood, regardless of the emotion the music conveys, is always positive. No matter how sad a song might be I don't think it's possible for that song to actually make you feel worse. I think music only enhances our emotion in a good way. Even if it's an angry or hateful song I still think it's a net positive. If I just think about "When I Am Laid In Earth" or "Barbriallen" long enough I can make myself weep, but I still don't think that it's a truly negative emotion. I think music modifies our moods, but its power is limited. The only time music makes me angry is if it's forced on me, but that's not so much the music itself, it's the involuntary part. Yes I know, quasi-involuntary; I can quit my job. Yes, but…™ Sorry…
ribuck Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 No matter how sad a song might be I don't think it's possible for that song to actually make you feel worse. Yes, I do agree. Back when I used to sometimes feel sad, I would turn up the stereo very loud, play something like Moody Blues "Isn't Life Strange", and wallow totally in my sadness. By the time the song (or perhaps a whole album) had finished playing, all the sadness had dissipated and I felt refreshed and positive.
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