Musical Experience Research Articles

Personalized Music Playlists via Deep Learning Emotion Detection

Music holds significant sway in enriching the lives of individuals, serving as a vital source of entertainment for enthusiasts and listeners alike. Moreover, it transcends mere amusement, often adopting a therapeutic role in people’s lives. In the ever-evolving landscape of music and technology, this project emerges as a groundbreaking endeavor, driven by the profound impact music holds on individuals’ lives. Leveraging technological advancements in music players, such as playback control and genre classification, our focus is on revolutionizing playlist creation. Instead of the laborious manual curation of playlists, we introduce automation based on users’ emotional states, identified through real-time facial expression analysis via a camera. The human face, a rich source of mood indicators, becomes the key input for our system. By directly extracting emotional cues from facial expressions, the project aims to swiftly deduce the user’s emotional state, crafting a tailored playlist without the need for time-consuming manual efforts. Implemented through deep learning using VGG16 model, the system ensures intricate emotion recognition from image input. Python, OpenCV, and Keras facilitate seamless video processing and deep learning functionalities, complemented by a music player library for smooth playback control. This amalgamation of computer vision and deep learning delivers an interactive music player that dynamically selects tracks aligned with users’ real-time emotional expressions, offering a personalized and immersive musical experience.

The mediating effect of music teaching efficacy in the relationship between musical experience and music performance efficacy of pre-service early childhood teachers

The mediating effect of music teaching efficacy in the relationship between musical experience and music performance efficacy of pre-service early childhood teachers

A Touch on Musical Innovation: Exploring Wearables and Their Impact on New Interfaces for Musical Expression.

This paper explores the innovative concept of using wearable technologies as a medium for musical expression. Special emphasis is placed on a unique wearable device equipped with motion, touch, and acceleration sensors, which can be used as a wrist strap, hand strap, or surface drum pad. The aim is to create a new musical instrument that simplifies music learning and expression and makes them more intuitive. The wearable device contains 32 individual touch-sensitive pressure sensors, a nine-axis inertial-measurement-unit motion sensor, and various light-emitting diode and vibrational haptic-feedback components. The inclusion of tactile and intuitive features in the wearable device enhances the musical experience of users by enabling engaging interaction. Consequently, it is believed that this groundbreaking technology has significant potential to contribute to the field of music, providing musicians with a versatile and intuitive instrument that facilitates their creative expression.

Music Engagement as Part of Everyday Life in Dementia Caregiving Relationships at Home.

Emerging evidence suggests music-based interventions can improve the well-being of people living with dementia, but little is known about the ways in which music might support dementia caregiving relationships as part of everyday life at home. This study examined music engagement in the context of daily life to identify patterns of music engagement and potential targets for the design of music-based interventions to support well-being. This ethnographic, in-home study of people living with dementia and their family and professional care partners used methods from ethnomusicology, including semistructured interviews and in-home participant observation with a focus on music engagement. A total of 21 dyads were purposively recruited for diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity/race/heritage, caregiving relationship, and music experiences. Despite participants' diverse music preferences, 3 distinct music engagement patterns emerged. (a) Professional care partners intentionally integrated music listening and singing into daily life as part of providing direct care. (b) Family care partners, who had prior dementia care nursing experience or family music traditions, integrated music into daily life in ways that supported their personal relationships. (c) In contrast, family care partners, who lacked dementia care experience and had high levels of caregiver burden, disengaged from prior music-making. The distinct music engagement patterns reflect different needs on the part of dyads. It is important to continue to support dyads who engage in music daily and to consider developing music-based interventions to support well-being among dyads who have become disengaged from music.

Music teaching software development based on neural network algorithm and user analysis

With the continuous development of digital technology, music teaching is gradually shifting from traditional face-to-face teaching to online teaching and intelligent learning methods. Developing music teaching software plays an important role in improving users’ music learning methods and learning experience. However, current music teaching software still has issues such as poor compatibility, low level of data security and privacy protection, and functional requirements that are still in the early stages. This article aimed to research and develop a music teaching software based on neural network algorithm and user analysis, so as to improve user satisfaction with music teaching software. In the article, the overall design module of the system was first analyzed, and then music teaching resource data was collected and normalized using clustering algorithms to improve the effectiveness of music teaching resource data. Afterwards, a BP (Back Propagation) neural network model with parallel structure was used to optimize the design of the neural network model, and the effectiveness of the neural network model in user interface design was analyzed. Finally, user behavior analysis and personalized recommendation were achieved by constructing a user profile feature dataset. In order to verify the performance of the developed music teaching software, the software performance and security were tested. The results showed that the required loading time for the music score data in test case 1 of this article was only 1.21 s, and the response time was only 0.015 s. At this time, the security was 92.6%; the required loading time for audio data was only 1.06 s. The response time was only 0.019 s, and the security was 88.7%; the loading time required for user interaction data was only 0.78 s. The response time was only 0.012 s, and the safety was 91.3%. The research results indicated that the music teaching software developed in this article could better meet users’ music teaching needs and provide users with a more intelligent, personalized, and efficient music learning experience.

Prática musical livre, instrumental e vocal, em musicoterapia: musicalidades em ação com potência transformadora

In Music Therapy, Music is understood as an intentional human action in the happening of musicalities in action. This research sought to understand what improvised and spontaneous sounds reveal in practice. With a qualitative, exploratory methodology, it made use of video recordings and used music therapy analysis (MTA) and microanalysis as data collection tools through descriptive and reflective analysis of the musical event in improvised musical expe-riences. The triad of listening, reading and music therapy analysis is contemplated, and these constitute the specificities of action for the construction of the music therapy process (MTP). Fragments of moments, one at the beginning and the other at the end, reveal changes in mu-sicality in terms of the duration of musical interaction and the exchange of turns. Through AMT, these changes are understood as cognitive gains, neuronal plasticity and linguistic functions, loaded with traces. Meanings are attributed to these traces, in relation to clinical and life history, in order to better understand MTP.

Examination of Music Teachers' Childhood Experiences of Music

Purpose: This study aims to examine the musical experiences of music teachers in childhood. 
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was conducted using the phenomenology research design within the framework of the qualitative research approach. Participants of the study consist of twenty-three music teachers working in the secondary and high schools affiliated with the Ministry of Education in the Kahramanmaraş province in the 2020-2021 academic year. The research data were collected using a semi-structured interview form and conducted for content analysis. 
 Findings: Family, teacher, school, and environment play an important role in individuals' musical experiences in childhood. Participants' tendency towards music during childhood is attributed to their parents’ interest in music and encouragement of music in their children, discovery and guidance of the students’ musical talent, the facilities offered by the school, including an appropriate setting for learning music, organization of the musical activities such as choirs and courses at school, and events held by non-governmental organizations. 
 Highlights: It is seen that music helped introverted and/or shy individuals socialize by allowing them to express themselves better. It was also revealed that the participants interested in music during childhood were self-confident, happy, and peaceful individuals with a wide social circle and without financial concerns.

Experiencing Sounds in Ancient Spaces: An Overview

This paper aims to analyse recent studies which have raised new hypotheses concerning archaeomusicology, archaeoacoustics, and aural architecture as an emerging trend in humanities research, with a particular focus on the intersection of musical performances, theatrical spaces, and sound experience in the past. These studies have highlighted how theatrical buildings not only defined a place for performances, but also established the setting for multisensorial events in which music, dance, and other sonic events played an important role. This overview also takes into consideration how digital technologies can help shape our understanding of the architecture-sound nexus.

A Review of 20 Research for Music Teaching in Contemporary Junior High Schools in China

This article provides a comprehensive review of the current status and future trends of music education in junior middle schools in China. The primary objective is to provide an insightful overview of the landscape by examining various aspects of music education. The research methodology involves a thorough examination of current practices, with an emphasis on synthesizing information from recent studies and research papers. The central theme emphasizes life-long learning as a core strategy in contemporary music education. Another important aspect explored is the emphasis on a music education strategy based on core skills. The article delves into the cultivation of students' aesthetic perception and overall quality, with the goal of providing a deeper musical experience and comprehensive development in music learning. In addition, the article discusses the application of interdisciplinary integration and interactive teaching strategies in music education. These strategies are presented with the goal of enhancing teaching effectiveness and promoting greater student engagement in the learning process, and the article emphasizes the importance of fostering students' sense of music and ability to appreciate music as integral components of improving core musical literacy. By citing relevant research, this review provides both theoretical guidance and practical references for junior middle school music education in China. In conclusion, the trajectory of junior middle school music education in China is depicted as evolving toward a more life-oriented, comprehensive, and interactive approach, with an emphasis on cultivating students' musical literacy and aesthetic ability.

Words are delicious

Words are delicious

Profound music experience: Flow, transgression and transcendence in music therapy in psycho-oncology

This paper investigates profound music experience considered in the context of broadly understood spirituality. It focuses on the application of music therapy to people who access psycho-oncological care. The paper is based on a phenomenological study which aimed to explore the patients’ experiences, focused on the intrapersonal process in which the impact of music therapy is intended to strengthen the resources and internal forces of persons who are in the process of healing after their oncological treatment. As a result of the horizontal qualitative analysis of patients’ autobiographical narratives, three thematic groups of experiences have been identified: i) experiences of a certain unreality and a sense of deep wellbeing – a kind of flow; ii) experiences of a transformational change and transgressive experiences, exceeding the limitations; iii) transcendent experiences. Vertical analysis allowed the creation of a therapeutic profile of every patient which indicted the common path of experiencing therapeutic changes that took place as a result of their participation in music therapy sessions. Horizontal-vertical analysis revealed the relationships between particular groups of experiences and the paths of experiencing therapeutic changes shared by all the patients.

INVESTIGATING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MUSIC REWARD AND EMPATHY ACROSS THE ADULT LIFESPAN

Abstract Music can evoke positive mood and even enhance empathy towards others. Understanding the mechanisms supporting music-based enhancements in emotion are essential for developing interventions for older adults with chronic conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Previous studies have primarily focused on younger adults and have shown that trait empathy can modulate responses to music through engaging empathy-related brain networks. However, little is known about the specific relationship between music reward and trait empathy, especially across the adult lifespan. In the present study, we hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between music reward and empathy. The sample included healthy adults 19-86 years (N=74; Mage=54.36; 62.2% female; Medu=16.2). Participants completed the Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire (BMRQ), a 20-item questionnaire assessing music reward/appreciation and the Empathy Quotient Inventory (EQ), a 40-item questionnaire measuring multidimensional empathy (i.e., cognitive empathy, emotional reactivity, and social skills). We conducted a linear regression investigating the degree to which empathy predicted significant variance in music reward (age and gender were covariates of no interest). The overall model was significant (p=.007) and there was a significant, positive relationship between the EQ total score and the BMRQ total score (p=.004). Exploratory analyses demonstrated that the BMRQ total had positive correlations with cognitive (p=.006) and emotional empathy (p=.004). In summary, music reward was positively associated with empathy in this adult lifespan sample, adding to the literature focused on younger adulthood. Future research is needed to examine relationships between empathy and other aspects of music experience across the adult lifespan.

Non-native tone categorization and word learning across a spectrum of L1 tonal statuses

Abstract Adults differ in the ease with which they acquire lexical tones in a non-native language. Individual differences have been attributed to several factors, such as the role that pitch plays in a learner's L1 to signal lexical meaning (L1 tonal status), the shape of the tones to be acquired (tone types), as well as extralinguistic factors (such as musical experience and working memory). Here, we ask whether learners from a spectrum of L1 tonal statuses (Dutch, Swedish and Japanese, and Thai) differ in their tone word learning facility, whilst we simultaneously investigate the effects of tone type, and musical experience and working memory. Our findings suggest that above and beyond L1 tonal status, the strongest predictor of tone word learning was pre-lexical tone processing (measured by a tone categorization task), although the strength of the link between pre-lexical and lexical processing may be modulated by L1 tonal status.

International communication and cultural exchange based on music: a study of the experience of Chinese music education in other countries

ABSTRACT Within the scope of this presented study, the authors aimed to investigate the peculiarities of intercultural communication and cultural exchange based on musical knowledge, considering the exploration of the Chinese music education experience in other countries. The scholars find that the strongest relationships of Chinese musical education are with American, European, Korean, and Japanese musical cultures. The research found that intercultural learning motivated students from European universities (202 respondents) and universities of Chinese (200 respondents) to pay special attention to American music (23%), reflecting modern approaches to performance. Western European (21%) music has a strong relationship with Chinese music. The research finds that Chinese music is popular among 20% of students who value national traditions. The research found that the benefits of intercultural learning involve learning mobility (an attitude of students reflected by rating index: 3.01), the development of worldview (an attitude of students reflected by rating index: 2.73), melodic skills development (an attitude of students reflected by rating index: 2.52), and the uniqueness of musical composition performance (an attitude of students reflected by rating index: 2.85). The scholars identified that for 86% of students, intercultural learning had a positive value and promoted musical knowledge development.

Exploring the Potential of Blockchain Data as Pseudorandom Numbers for Microtonal Algorithmic Composition. A Case Study on Blockchain Music 2.5

This study explores the utilization of blockchain data as a set of pseudorandom numbers in the context of microtonal algorithmic composition. Conventional methods of generating indiscriminate numbers often lack the desired levels of unpredictability and uniqueness necessary for an intricate musical piece. By harnessing the hash parameter of several blockchains, we propose an innovative approach for obtaining pseudorandom numbers that offer heightened randomness and diversity. Moreover, the ensuing structure ensures the preservation of all composition data on servers, facilitating the re-generation of the piece and enabling listeners to revisit its past fragments. Additionally, leveraging blockchain technology allows the audience to actively interact with the composition, fostering a more engaging and participatory musical experience. Through a comprehensive case study of a self-written, self-generating piece (Blockchain Music 2.5, 2023), we demonstrate the practical implementation of blockchain-generated numbers, showcasing their potential in exploring new post-tonal dimensions and producing unique sonic textures based on the predetermined set of rules. We also discuss the implications, challenges, and potential future directions of incorporating blockchain-generated numbers in algorithmic music composition. The research expands the landscape of digital music composition techniques and offers new avenues for leveraging blockchain technology in the domain of creative expression.

Musical Training as a Continuum: Relationships of Short-Term Memory and Musical Aptitudes

ABSTRACT Introduction This study recruited participants from a range of music training experiences and focused on short-term memory tasks to examine the abilities of trained, informally trained, and those without any music training. Methods Musicianship was measured with the Goldsmith’s Musical Sophistication Index (GMSI). The GMSI is a survey regarding how music is involved in a participant’s daily life. Music training was assessed through the music training subscale of the GMSI, which included a question regarding the years of formal training an individual had received. In two objective measures of musical ability, participants completed the Computerized Adaptive Beat Alignment Test (CABAT) and the Melody Discrimination Test (MDT). The participants also completed an audio and audiovisual span task to measure short-term memory. A correlational analysis was run among the general score of the GMSI subjective task, the GMSI subscales, the span task scores, and the objective measures of musical ability. Lastly, a hierarchical regression was used to predict short-term memory abilities. Results Results of a partial correlation analysis, controlling for the music training subscale, showed that the melodic discrimination task was associated with short-term memory, however, rhythm scores were not. Discussion This study suggested that there is no distinct advantage of formal training over informal training when studying musicians’ memory performance. Future research can benefit from investigating the characteristics of the full sample of participants, and not treating those without formal training as a homogenous group, devoid of any musical abilities.

Intercultural dialogue and the mobilisation of aural skills

ABSTRACTA model for incorporating diverse musical content into the core conservatory aural skills curriculum is presented. We position the contemporary conservatory as a solid institution providing Western musicians with a sense of stability and heritage in an age of anxiety (Bauman’s ‘liquid modernity’). Despite these benefits, we argue that the conservatory education leaves graduates ill-equipped for the society in which they will build their careers. We therefore advocate for diversification as a means of producing more versatile graduates. Two aural perception classroom workshops were led by a Chinese pipa expert. A range of Chinese notation systems were introduced, before students were led through interactive practical activities engaging these systems. Reflecting on the success of our workshops alongside student feedback, we conclude that intercultural musical experiences encourage students to critically examine their existing skillsets. Intercultural dialogue presents an opportunity to mobilise these skills and recognise their diverse potential.

Exploring the subjective experience of rave party participants in Israel who consume psychedelic drugs: a qualitative inquiry

BackgroundRave music parties (RMP) are a world-wide socio-cultural phenomenon, where people listen to rave music while frequently consuming psychedelic drugs. Epidemiological studies have emphasized the hazardous consequences following the consumption of psychedelic drugs at RMP, and qualitative studies have shown social and psycho-spiritual experiences. Yet, phenomenological inquiry into subjective experiences of attendees is scant. This study aimed to examine physical, emotional, perceptual and social experiences of RMP participants in Israel, and their view on Israel’s policy toward rave events. In addition, the study aimed to contribute useful information for policymakers and society on rave music and psychedelic drugs experiences at RMP.MethodInterpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyze transcriptions of semi-structured interviews with 27 individuals attending RMP regularly and consume psychedelic drugs.ResultsAnalysis revealed four significant themes: the first theme, the impact of Israel’s drug policy on participants’ sense of safety, relates to participants’ sense of insecurity and anxiety at Israeli RMP due to government drug ban policy. The second theme, the stigma on rave culture, relates to participants’ perception regarding the stigma on rave culture in law enforcement agencies and in society in general. The third theme, negative experiences, describes short-term experiences after consuming psychedelics at RMP, including hallucinations and disorientation. The fourth theme, positive experiences, describes positive sensory, emotional and self/world attitudinal aspects after consuming psychedelics at RMP. Sensory experiences included intensified auditory, visual and tactile experiences; emotional experiences included positive feelings toward others, reduced stress and ability to vent difficult emotions; self/world attitudinal aspects included self-acceptance, higher appreciation of life and connectedness to nature.ConclusionsThe study highlights RMP participants’ sense of insecurity due to Israel’s strict drug policy and absence of harm reduction strategies at rave scenes. The study also notes participants’ experience of stigmatization as drug addicts by society and law enforcement agencies. Reducing police presence and adopting harm reduction policies at rave scenes in Israel may increase participants’ sense of security, reduce stigmatization and decrease overdose risk. Hence, the findings may contribute to new knowledge useful for policymakers and society concerning RMP and the use of psychedelics.

Experience and performance type modify anticipatory stress in musicians

We examined the anticipatory stress response in musicians before a day of rehearsal and a concert and examined if experience levels modulated physiological and perception of stress responses. Twenty members of a professional orchestra had their heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and galvanic skin response/conductance (GSR) measured as well as self-assessment of their anxiety surrounding their performance. HR was significantly elevated prior to a concert (87 bpm) compared with a rehearsal (80 bpm), whereas no differences were observed for BP. GSR responses prior to a concert were significantly elevated in less experienced musicians compared with their more experienced peers and a significant inverse correlation was also found between years of experience and GSR responses. Similarly, musicians with greater experience reported on average less perceived somatic anxiety during the concert and a significant inverse correlation was found between years of experience and perceived somatic anxiety. These results suggest that the type of performance and the experience level of the musician modulates anticipatory stress responses. Further understanding of the role of anticipatory stress in musicians could have a number of practical benefits.

The influence of sound waves and musical experiences on movement coordination with beats

Synchronizing movement with external stimuli is important in musicians and athletes. This study investigated the effects of sound characteristics, including sound with harmonics (square wave) and without harmonics (sine wave) and levels of expertise in sports and music on rhythmic ability. Thirty-two university students participated in the study. The participants were divided into sixteen music education (ME) and sixteen physical education (PE) majors. They were asked to perform finger tapping tasks with 1,2 and 3 Hz beat rates, tapping in time with the sine and square wave beat produced by a metronome. The relative phase angle of finger tapping and the onset time of metronome sound were calculated using circular statistics. The results showed that type of wave and music experience affected the rhythmic ability of participants. Our study highlights the importance of types of waves on rhythmic ability, especially for participants with no background in music. The square wave is recommended for athletes to learn to synchronize their movement with beats.