Music
Articles tagged with Music
MIT engineers’ virtual violin produces realistic sounds
The new computational violin simulates the physics of string interaction with air, producing realistic sound. Luthiers can tweak parameters like wood type or body thickness before hearing the instrument's response.
Platforms, not boycotts, shape post-scandal music streams
A new Cornell University study reveals that social media boycotts have less impact on music streams than platform sanctions. In several high-profile controversies, scandal-related attention coincided with short-term increases in streams. However, when platforms reduced visibility of the artists' music, clearest declines appeared.
Global musicians face the same 'streaming paradox' as US- and UK-based artists, study finds
A study of 1,200 musicians in five countries reveals the 'streaming paradox': while artists are more visible than ever, meaningful income remains elusive. Musicians face growing pressure to create engaging content and manage their online presence.
Counting the silence: How years of data crunching led to female artists making up majority of Brit Award nominees
A decade-long analysis reveals a significant gap in solo female Irish artists reaching number one on charts, but data-driven intervention has led to a shift in Brit Awards nominations. The study highlights the impact of commercial mechanisms like airplay on public recognition and industry trends.
Chimpanzees can be multitalented musicians
Researchers at Kyoto University's EHUB center analyzed the musical performances of a 26-year-old male chimpanzee named Ayumu. The study found that Ayumu's instrumental sound-making was not random and exhibited isochronous intervals, similar to a metronome.
Community music education a key youth wellbeing strategy
A new Edith Cowan University study investigates the positive impact of community music education programs in regional Australia on the wellbeing of adolescents and young adults. The study found that CMEPs satisfy psychological needs relatedness, competency, and autonomy, promoting human flourishing.
Striking a chord: How music primes our minds for connection
A new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that listening to harmonically consonant chord progressions during face-to-face interaction strengthens neural activity in brain areas associated with social perception, emotional processing, and interpersonal connection. This suggests that music may help promote social bonding...
How political borders in the Middle Ages are linked to chorales
Researchers analyzed 4,000 medieval trope elements to find that political borders severely restricted musical exchange between 9th-14th century empires. The study reflects the musical tradition's connection to Europe's political fragmentation following the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD.
Lower music volume levels in fitness class and perceived exercise intensity
A comparative effectiveness study found that lower music volume levels in group fitness classes did not significantly impact perceived exercise intensity. The research suggests implementing safer sound practices and increased awareness on hearing protection to minimize the risk of noise-induced hearing loss.
Deepfake songs are exploding. This tool shuts them down.
Researchers developed a digital safeguard, My Music My Choice, to protect songs from generative AI cloning. The tool adds imperceptible changes to a song's waveform, making it difficult for AI models to replicate.
Music may not boost focus or mood during exercise, review suggests
A large review of studies found no consistent effect of music on focus or mood during exercise, with results varying depending on intensity and participant characteristics. The findings suggest that broad claims about music's benefits are not always supported and highlight the need for more rigorous study designs.
Bug beats: caterpillars use complex rhythms to communicate with ants
Researchers found caterpillars mimic ant signals using precise rhythmic beats to gain acceptance, feeding, and protection. The most ant-dependent species produce regular, complex rhythms similar to those used by ants.
Rediscovered music may never sound the same twice, according to new Surrey study
A new Surrey study found that rediscovered music often leads to radically different interpretations by performers, reshaping the work itself. The researchers compared professional recordings and used audio analysis software to track tempo and rhythmic fluctuation across the piece.
AI may boost productivity — but it can hurt a creator’s reputation, new research finds
A recent study reveals that creators who disclose using AI face negative judgments from others, despite their reputation. This gap between technological capability and social perception highlights the need for creators to manage perceptions surrounding how their work was created.
How the color of a theater affects sound perception
Researchers found that the visual design of a concert hall significantly affects perceived timbre, with more saturated colors producing colder sounds. Listeners also reported higher liking scores in darker environments, highlighting the importance of considering visual appearance in acoustic design.
Even nonmusicians pick up on music’s context
People can use the musical context to predict what will happen next and feel emotions such as anxiety or happiness. Research shows that using more context improves accuracy in tasks such as remembering chunks of music and predicting the next notes.
AI-powered companionship: PolyU interfaculty scholar harnesses music and empathetic speech in robots to combat loneliness
Researchers at PolyU have discovered that combining music and empathetic speech in robots can foster a stronger bond between humans and machines. Music enhances the emotional resonance of on-screen robots, making interactions feel more real, but its impact diminishes over time.
Babies are born with a sense of rhythm, study suggests
Researchers found that newborns as young as 2 days old can anticipate rhythmic patterns, indicating an innate ability to recognize rhythm. However, they struggled to predict melodic changes, suggesting that melody may be learned through exposure.
Chill Brain-Music Interface: Using Brain Signals to Enhance the Emotional Power of Music
Researchers developed an EEG-based system to decode pleasure from listener's brain activity and suggest personalized playlists. The system outperformed 'acoustics-only' methods, capturing neural markers of pleasure with high accuracy.
Pinochet’s prisoners were tormented with music but still found solace in it, a new book reveals
A new book, 'Music and Political Imprisonment in Pinochet’s Chile', exposes the brutal realities of torture during the dictatorship through the power of music. Survivors like Ana María Jiménez recount how they used songs to comfort each other and resist their captors.
Where medicine meets melody – how lullabies help babies and parents in intensive care
Playing soothing live music in NICUs helps babies lower heart rate and respiratory rate while increasing feeding volume. Music sessions also provide a moment's respite for parents, allowing them to bond with their baby.
The Showgirl's Rebirth: Taylor Swift’s shift from introspection to optimistic confidence
The album marks a new era for the singer, exploring themes of performance, love, and empowerment. Scholars analyze Swift's shift from teen country singer to showgirl persona, finding optimism and hope in songs like 'Eldest Daughter' and 'Opalite'.
Music: Popular song lyrics have become more negative since 1973
An analysis of popular song lyrics from 1973 to 2023 found that they have become simpler, more negative, and contain more stress-related words. The study suggests that music is used as a form of escapism during stressful periods, leading to a shift towards more positive and complex lyrics.
To bop or to sway? The music will tell you
A study by Shimpei Ikegami found that vertical 'bop' music is characterized by clearer beats and percussive sounds, while horizontal 'sway' music is smoother with less percussion. Listeners' directional dancing inclinations matched the musicians' intended expressions.
Fame itself may be critical factor in shortening singers’ lives
Researchers found that famous singers in the UK/Europe and North America died an average of 4 years earlier than those not in the spotlight. The effects of fame are comparable to other known health risks, such as smoking, which confers a heightened risk of death.
Blink to the beat
A study published in PLOS Biology found that people's spontaneous eye blinks synchronize with musical beats, indicating a deep coordination between hearing and action. This discovery sheds light on how our brains process rhythm and could lead to new treatments for neurological conditions affecting body movement.
Multi-Grammy prizewinner Terence Blanchard receives Gutenberg Teaching Award
Terence Blanchard, a renowned jazz musician and composer, has received the 2025 Gutenberg Teaching Award for his exceptional teaching and mentorship. He will be visiting Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz to accept the award and participate in various events.
When mice meet Beethoven: How early sound shapes the brain differently for males and females
A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that early sound exposure significantly affects brain activity and emotional preferences in mice. Male mice develop strong behavioral changes when exposed to Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 or silence, while female mice show varied preferences.
Quantum jam sessions teach quantum and jamming
Kobe University's new web application combines quantum game theory with jazz improvisation to explore creativity. Users can interact in a 'quantum jam session', receiving real-time visual and auditory feedback on their strategies.
How sound—but not touch—shapes rhythm in the brain
Researchers found that brain activity corresponds to perceived beat when listening to music via sound but not through touch. This ability is crucial for human social interactions through music and may be strengthened by long-term practice.
Traditional Okinawan songs rich with indigenous knowledge of climate and geology
A new study by University of Hawaii at Manoa researchers found that traditional Okinawan songs contain records of past climate and geological events, including wind directions and volcanic eruptions. The songs, passed down through generations, were analyzed in conjunction with Western scientific knowledge to identify matches.
From memory to melody: how positive memories elevate musical performance
Researchers found that recalling positive autobiographical memories before a performance enhances valence and arousal, leading to improved performance. This is attributed to increased sympathetic nervous system activity, which regulates involuntary bodily functions.
Hitting the right note: The healing power of music therapy in the cardiac ICU
New research shows that music therapy significantly decreases heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and patient-ventilator asynchronies for patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU). Music therapy is a safe, low-cost, non-pharmacological intervention that complements conventional treatments.
Music training can help the brain focus
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that music training strengthens the brain's ability to focus under distracting conditions. Musical people were better at using top-down attention while being less sensitive to bottom-up distractions.
The older we get, the fewer favorite songs we have
A study of 40,000 users over 15 years found that musical taste becomes more refined and personal with age, with younger listeners exploring a wide range of contemporary music and older listeners returning to their youth favorites. Nostalgia is a strong driving force in middle age and beyond.
What makes an opera singer stand out? New research decodes 'black box' of opera evaluation
A new study found that vibrato is the most significant vocal attribute in determining an opera singer's score, while acoustic features like SPR and HNR have a greater impact than previously thought. The research provides objective insights into how judges evaluate performances and offers tools for vocal training.
Study maps the happiest and saddest national anthems from around the globe
A study by the University of Jyväskylä analyzed 176 national anthems, finding that those from equatorial countries tend to be more energetic while those from northern regions are more melancholic. The happiest anthems originate from Western Sahara and China, while the saddest can be found in Japan and Israel.
Happy music could help you recover from motion sickness
Researchers found that joyful and soft music alleviated motion sickness symptoms the most, while sad music was less effective than doing nothing. The study suggests that music can be a non-invasive and personalized intervention strategy for managing motion sickness.
Predictable structures in music synchronises blood pressure the most, and could be used to create personalized music-based cardiovascular therapies
A new study reveals that blood pressure synchronizes more with predictable phrase structures in music, potentially improving the body's ability to regulate blood pressure. Predictable music structures were found to have a bigger impact on blood pressure than tempo or loudness.
Listen to the music: How — and when — emotional responses to music influence memory
A new UCLA study found that the optimal level of emotional response while listening to music influences memory, with too little or too much arousal having opposite effects. Music can become a powerful therapeutic tool for improving learning and memory in conditions like Alzheimer's disease and PTSD.
Understanding how young children recognize emotions in music
Research finds that young children aged 3-5 can recognize happiness, sadness, calmness, and fear in music. However, children with higher callous-unemotional traits show poorer emotion recognition in music compared to facial expressions.
Disconnection between brain regions explains why some people don’t enjoy music
Researchers discovered a brain mechanism behind 'specific musical anhedonia,' where people experience no pleasure from music despite normal hearing and other experiences. Studies using the Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire support this idea, showing reduced activity in the reward circuit when listening to music.
AI-generated music can move us more than human-composed music
A study published in PLOS One found that AI-generated music triggered greater physiological responses and was perceived as more emotionally stimulating compared to human-created music. The complexity of the prompt used also affected the impact of the music, with more complex prompts causing higher cognitive loads.
Agency status shapes K-pop concepts but gender norms limit girl groups
A Cornell University study found that entertainment agencies' status significantly impacts K-pop groups' style and music genre changes. Female groups face constraints due to societal expectations, whereas male groups have more flexibility in concept transformations.
Evaluating music beyond sound: understanding visual influence across genres
A study found that evaluators' musical experience influences the sight-over-sound effect, reducing its impact for those with auditory expertise. The study used Japanese high school brass band competitions and found no significant evidence of the effect in musicians, but a stronger presence in non-musicians.
Music on the brain: exploring how songs boost memory
Researchers found that music's emotional impact influences memory recall, with stronger emotional responses associated with better retention of event gist and details. Individual differences in emotional responses to music affect which memories are improved.
UC3M promotes debate on music scenes, culture and media
The UC3M conference explored various topics in music research, including the impact of streaming on Latin American music, fandom in Eurovision, and the role of women in jazz. The event also featured participatory projects and critical questioning of musical diversity.
Study shows that music may improve infants’ mood
A new study found that increasing infant-directed singing can improve infant mood and have a positive impact on caregivers' health. Researchers explored the effects of a simple music enrichment program, which encouraged parents to sing more frequently to their babies, on infant mood, stress, sleep quality, and music use.
Hitting the right notes to play music by ear
The study identified four simple ways music learning technology can aid prospective musicians, including helping people improve recall while listening and replaying notes indefinitely. Researchers found that existing digital learning tools were not being used effectively by students despite their availability.
KAIST & CMU unveils Amuse, a songwriting AI-collaborator to help create music
Researchers developed an AI-based music creation support system called Amuse, which converts user inputs into harmonic structures to support composition. The system has high potential as a creative companion for musicians and is centered on the creator's initiative.
Chimpanzee groups drum with distinct rhythms
Researchers found that eastern and western chimpanzees exhibit different drumming patterns, including evenly spaced hits and alternating intervals. Western chimpanzees use a faster tempo and integrated their drumming earlier in pant-hoot vocalizations.
Music therapy helps brain-injured children
Researchers developed MuSICCA, a music therapy tool that uses musical stimulation to assess levels of consciousness in children with brain injuries. The study found high agreement among participants that the tool is suitable for use with children, providing guidance for caregivers and supporting clinical teams.
Would a musical triangle of any other shape sound as sweet?
A team of researchers has found that sound waves can create standing waves in semi-open spaces, potentially enabling resonance in shapes with open sides. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that resonance requires closed sides.
Virtual singing brings connection and joy to isolated older adults, study finds
A Northwestern University study found virtual group singing can be an effective tool for promoting well-being and social connection during isolation. Participants reported high satisfaction with the sing-alongs, which helped evoke emotional resonance and promote intellectual engagement.
What’s the benefit of opening for Taylor Swift?
A study by Drexel University found that opening for Taylor Swift can lead to sustained audience growth for emerging artists, with genre alignment playing a key role. The research analyzed the streaming metrics and ticket sales of 57 artists who served as openers for top-grossing tours in 2022 and 2023.
Favorite music sets the brain's opioids in motion
A new study found that listening to favorite music activates the brain's opioid receptors, explaining why it evokes strong feelings of pleasure. The release of opioids is also linked to individual differences in music enjoyment and may help develop new music-based interventions for pain management and mental health disorders.
Researchers refine a hybrid music therapy intervention for patients with cardiac and pulmonary conditions
A new study found that a hybrid music therapy intervention improved mental health in patients with heart failure and COPD. The pilot study also identified solutions to improve future research, including strategies for post-discharge engagement.
‘Ugh, not that song!’ Background music impacts employees
A study found that background music can have a negative impact on employees if it doesn't fit their needs for volume, speed, complexity, and emotional intensity. This can lead to feelings of fatigue, decreased productivity, and engagement in behaviors that harm the organization.
How nostalgic music helps minds remember
A new study from USC Dornsife's Brain and Creativity Institute found that nostalgic music engages the brain's default mode network linked to memory and self-reflection, as well as its reward circuitry. This discovery could support emotional well-being and cognitive function in individuals with memory impairments.