A recent study led by Sascha Frühholz at the University of Zurich has revealed the secret to why live music has a greater emotional impact on humans than recorded music.
According to the News Scientist, the study required writing 12 pieces, half of which were intended to express negative emotions and half of which were intended to convey happy emotions.
Participants who were not trained in music listened to live performances and recordings of these works while having their brain activity monitored with MRI scans.
Live performances regularly increased activity in the left amygdala, a brain area important for emotional processing.
Recorded songs, on the other hand, elicited less and inconsistent amygdala activity, which corresponded to participants’ emotional assessments.
Frühholz explains that the adaptability of live music, with performers modifying based on audience response, most likely amplifies emotional emotions when compared to stiff recorded versions.
The study suggests that the dynamic, free-flowing nature of live music contributes to its ability to amplify emotional responses.
Frühholz and the team aim to replicate the experiment in a concert setting with a larger audience, emphasising the social aspect of live music experiences.
The research provides insights into the neurological basis of our profound emotional connection to live music, hinting at its potential societal implications.
