The science of sad sounds: How and why many people enjoy listening to sad music
David Huron
Department of Music
"The science of sad sounds: How and why many people enjoy listening to sad music"
May 5, 2021
4-5:15 p.m.
CarmenZoom: link to be distributed via email to registered participants
Over two thousand years ago, Aristotle asked how it was possible for spectators to enjoy tragic portrayals such as dramas that would evoke pity or fear. In music, a long-standing version of this puzzle has been the appeal of sad music. Not everyone enjoys listening to nominally sad music. Listeners are roughly evenly split between sad-music likers and dis-likers. In this presentation, I address two questions: What is it that makes something sound sad? And, how is it that many people can enjoy sad music? We'll see that there is a coherent story to tell that draws on both biology and culture. Critically, whether or not you enjoy sad music can be predicted from three personality traits.
Programming Note: this lecture will begin with an introduction of the newest Emeritus Academy members.