Sigma Alpha Iota

5 sai-national.org | Fall 2026 W MUSICOLOGY MUSIC FOR YOUR MENTAL How Music Making and Live Listening Affects Us By Mackenzie Farr We've all felt it: that jitter of excitement you get right when the lights go low in a concert hall or stadium. The anticipation has reached its peak as you prepare to hear your favorite songs live, usually for the first time ever. Why does this experience excite us so much? Why spend an arm and a leg to see your favorite artists perform live? We have almost any song available to us on a wide variety of listening platforms, ranging from YouTube to Spotify to Apple Music. What is it about hearing a song live that entrances us so? These questions can be answered by simply comparing the environment and circumstances in which you're listening to those songs. In addition, does making music yourself, even if it's just learning to play an already written song, stimulate us further? According to an article from the National Library of Medicine, "intense musical emotions are most often expressed in live musical performances and are experienced when listening to live music in concerts, given the dynamic relationship between performing artists and the audience" (Trost et al). My concert experiences, both as the performer and the attendee, have had such a strong impact on me emotionally that I consider concerts to be the most special event that music lovers and musicians alike can experience together. "Music brings people together," a saying you've probably heard since your early childhood during a mandated elementary level music class. It seems like a simple concept, but those who understand the emotions music can elicit know that concerts are the pinnacle of togetherness that music making and listening incites. This same article also notes how "Live music... can be dynamic and adaptive and is often modulated in response to audience feedback to maximize emotional responses in listeners" (Trost et al). In my opinion, it's an experience that can only be described as euphoric in nature and calming to the body and mind, as both flow naturally to the music. The coolest part is, concerts don't always elicit the same emotions from the listeners. It's a rollercoaster of sound that feeds your excitement, sadness, joy, or anger, depending on how you personally respond to a song. When I attended a Kali Uchis concert this past summer, I was enthralled by the transitions between different songs. The highs and lows of the entire concert took me on a ride through so many varying emotions. Everything flowed so effortlessly, and my body and mind responded accordingly. I had an amazing time, and it's an experience I would gladly do all over again. It feels like that artist is speaking directly to you, reaching their hand out to further lock in your attention. Does the act of making music have the same effect on the musician as it does the audience? A blog post from Creyos claims that "Playing… music has the ability to calm the mind and elevate mood. By stimulating the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and oxytocin, music can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while promoting emotional well-being and fulfillment" (Godard). I played the clarinet for seven years, starting when I was twelve years old. During that time, especially in the early days of my instrumentalist journey, I noticed myself turning to my clarinet in times of deep stress. Sometimes I wouldn't even play what was on the music stand in front of me. I'd simply let my body and mind flow freely, playing whatever felt right at the time. I trained my voice as well in my school's choir, and continue to do so today at university. I studied and practiced both passions rigorously, as that is where I found my escape from my problems and overwhelming thoughts. I can confidently say that without music, I wouldn't be the woman I am today. My cognitive and emotional development during these formative teenage years was drastically impacted by developing these skills. I have improved mental focus, critical thinking skills, and an artistic passion that motivates me to create things others will enjoy. In all, it's clear that both musicians and everyday music lovers experience similar emotional responses, as well as differences in overall cognitive and mental effects. Those who simply listen to music tie certain emotions and experiences to their favorite songs, helping them process their sadness, anger, fear, joy, and passions. Finding the genres and artists they truly connect with can teach them more about themselves. Musicians understand what creating or recreating a song entails and how each part of that song serves a function. Perfecting this practice is beneficial to the mental focus and processing of the musician, as it takes a great deal of time and effort to convey an emotion accurately through their music. It's a reciprocal relationship—the listener connects with a song and demonstrates their emotional response through dancing and singing along. The musician's motivation and skill are amplified as they see how they're affecting the audience, and tune into those responses. Live music is powerful and brings so many people together. Concerts inspire others to create, love, and live freely. Mackenzie Ryanne Farr is Vice President of Membership and Editor for the Zeta Chi Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. She enjoys singing in the UCA Tapestry Choir while pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing. Citations Trost, Wiebke, et al. "Live Music Stimulates the Affective Brain and Emotionally Entrains Listeners in Real Time." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 5 Mar. 2024, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/articles/PMC10927510/. Godard, Mackenzie. "What Research Says about How Playing an Instrument Benefits Your Brain." Creyos, Creyos, 10 Dec. 2025, creyos.com/blog/how-playing- an-instrument-benefits-your-brain.

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