A recent study published in the journal Behavioral neuroscience shed light on how atonal music affects our emotions and brain activity. Researchers have found that atonal music, unlike more familiar tonal music, tends to be perceived as less pleasant and familiar, evoking distinct neural responses.
Previous studies have primarily focused on tonal music, which follows conventional harmonic structures familiar to Western listeners. However, there is growing interest in understanding how atonal music – compositions that do not follow these traditional structures – affects our emotions and brain activity.
Tonal music is built on a hierarchical system of pitches centered around a tonic note, creating a sense of resolution and familiarity through chord progressions and harmonic relationships. This structure is deeply ingrained in Western music, making it easy for listeners to predict and follow the flow of the music, often leading to feelings of pleasure and emotional engagement.
In contrast, atonal music moves away from these conventional harmonic structures. It does not adhere to a single key or tonal center, but rather uses a more equal treatment of the twelve pitches of the octave. This can result in music that is unpredictable, dissonant, or unsettling for those accustomed to tonal harmony.
“As a musicologist and neuroscientist, I am very interested in studying the brain processes that underlie musical cognition, particularly music-induced emotions,” said study author Pablo Valdés-Alemán of the Centro de Investigación Transdisciplinar en Psicología (Transdisciplinary Research Center). in psychology) in Mexico.
“In this case, our approach was to base our study on a previous model of brain electrical activity, measured by electroencephalography (EEG), where frontal asymmetries are associated with certain types of emotions. This model had previously been studied with various emotional stimuli, including music. We nevertheless wanted to test a particular type of music (atonal music), less familiar to the average Western listener and also less studied in this area.
The study involved 25 Mexican participants, a mix of men and women around 38 years old, who were not musicians and had no hearing loss. The participants were all right-handed, because left-handers may process emotions differently due to variations in the brain’s hemispheric specialization.
Participants listened to 16 different musical pieces – eight tonal and eight atonal. These pieces were chosen to evoke joy or sadness, consistent with Russell’s emotional dimensions model which categorizes emotions based on valence (positive or negative) and arousal (high or low). Each piece lasted approximately 25 seconds and was played through speakers while participants sat comfortably in a quiet, secluded room.
To measure the brain’s electrical activity, researchers used electroencephalography (EEG), which involves placing electrodes on the scalp. This method provides excellent temporal resolution, allowing researchers to track brain activity in real time. The electrodes recorded activity in various regions of the brain, focusing on frontal and parietal areas, crucial for emotion processing.
Participants also answered questions about their emotional reactions to each piece, rating the music on scales of valence, arousal, enjoyment and familiarity.
Researchers found clear differences in how tonal and atonal music were perceived and processed by the brain. Tonal music was generally considered more positive and pleasant than atonal music. Happy pieces of tonal music were rated particularly highly in terms of valence (positivity) and arousal (excitement). In contrast, atonal music was perceived as less familiar and less pleasant.
Interestingly, although it was perceived as negative in terms of valence and arousal, sad music – whether tonal or atonal – could nevertheless be considered pleasant by some participants. This finding is consistent with previous research suggesting that people can find pleasure in sad music, highlighting the complex relationship between emotional valence and pleasure.
EEG data revealed that listening to happy music was associated with increased activity in left frontal regions of the brain, a pattern consistent with positive emotional responses. This is called frontal alpha asymmetry, where greater left frontal activation correlates with positive emotions. Atonal music, however, was associated with increased right frontal brain activity, often associated with negative emotions and states of arousal.
“Music is a powerful emotional stimulus, and it can impact and modulate the dynamics of our brain, as shown by EEG activity,” Valdés-Alemán told PsyPost. “In this case, music-induced emotions can modify frontal brain activity asymmetrically. Music that induces pleasant and positive emotions is associated with increased left frontal activity.
“This is interesting because affective disorders, such as depression, which are associated with recurrent negative affect, are linked to left frontal hypoactivation. In some cases, alternative treatments may include non-invasive brain stimulation of this area. The fact that music alone can stimulate this cortical region adds to the evidence that listening to music has a positive effect on mental health. »
The results highlighted a stark contrast between how participants perceived and neurologically processed tonal and atonal music.
“Specifically, tonal music, which is classical music inspired by the European tradition, is perceived as more familiar and more pleasant than its atonal counterpart,” explained Valdés-Alemán. “Atonal music includes music from other cultures with different musical systems or classical music that has intentionally removed tonality to challenge the traditional tonal system. This difference is accompanied by changes in frontal EEG asymmetries, as mentioned previously.
“In this sense, another conclusion is that familiar music tends to be more pleasant, evoking positive emotions and may provide mental health benefits and modulation of underlying brain activity associated with emotional processing. Familiarity can be culture specific, but also influenced by individual differences such as personality, musical education, and past experiences.
Although the study provides valuable information, it has some limitations. The sample size was relatively small and limited to non-musicians from a specific cultural background. Future research should include larger and more diverse populations to generalize the results. Additionally, only a limited number of brain regions were monitored and other brain wave frequencies were not explored, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of musical emotion processing.
“The main caveat of this research was that the EEG recordings were made while we were still under COVID-19 lockdown,” Valdés-Alemán noted. “As you can imagine, we had a limited sample and, in general, everyone was under an emotional burden, which could have biased the emotional evaluation of the music during this time. I would say the next step in this research is to study the emotional effects of music on the EEG activity of people living with a certain type of affective disorder, such as depression.
Nevertheless, the results prove that our brain’s response to music is influenced by both its emotional content and our familiarity with it.
“Remember that music can provide emotional comfort and has the power to positively influence our feelings,” added Valdés-Alemán. “If you’re feeling down, listening to some of your favorite music can help improve your mood. However, it is important to recognize that while music can be a useful tool for emotional regulation, it is not a substitute for professional help.
“If you are experiencing ongoing emotional distress or mental health issues, never hesitate to consult a mental health professional for advice and support. They can provide you with the advice and treatment needed to help you effectively address your challenges.
The study, “Brain Electrical Patterns Associated with Pleasure and Emotions Induced by Tonal and Atonal Music,” was authored by Pablo Valdés-Alemán, Bernarda Téllez-Alanís, and Adriana Zamudio-Gurrola.