When people think of the benefits of music, they often times correlate emotional expression and music.  They claim that all music causes emotions. The main question becomes, is it really all of music? Or is it genre-specific? Much research has been done in terms of music and emotion, but it often stops there.  The research doesn’t inquire about specific attributes of music that can lead to emotional expression. Music can be viewed from its broad surface or on a deeper level, and many people have a surface view of music and emotions- not taking into account lyricism, artist, time/period of production, and most importantly genre.  Genre is a main contributing factor to why listeners have emotions while listening to music.  

 

    People who listen to music often listen at different times depending on factors such as mood and environment.  In a recent study conducted by the University of Missouri scientists, there was a clear connection between how individuals approach music and how it is utilized to alternate sadness or actually boost happiness (see Revelle Team).  When people need the inspiration to get things done they often turn to uplifting and upbeat pop songs. On the opposite ends, in times of sadness and grief, people sometimes turn alternative, classical and R&B genres. Sometimes the emotion-induced is the same as that perceived, as these two processes bear some resemblance to each other (see Eerola).  People use music as a memory trigger in association with past events or people and their desire to want to retrieve those memories. People also search for a connection to their favorite musical artists and turn to genres that aid in establishing an emotional connection.