Humans have the ability to experience music on a physical level.
A study conducted in Japan explored how music can evoke bodily sensations, with 527 participants asked to identify where they ‘felt’ eight different short melodies – each featuring unique chord progressions – in their bodies.
Unexpected music sensations were often felt in the heart, linked to feelings of appreciation and pleasure, while more predictable chord progressions elicited sensations in the stomach associated with emotions of satisfaction and nostalgia.
Professor Tatsuya Daikoku, from the University of Tokyo, commented: “Our research demonstrates that certain chord sequences can trigger similar bodily sensations in specific organs, particularly in the brain, heart, and abdomen.
“Music is not just an auditory experience – it resonates throughout the entire body. I believe this holistic bodily experience is what truly defines music.”
