CREDIT: FLICR (ELISE_LOLERZZ)
For years music has been an effector on our emotions and it still continues do to so to this day.

For thousands of years, music has impacted the emotions of those listening to it. Be it expelling anger through heavy metal or a lethargic piece of classical, music has a unique power to touch the soul of a person.

Which types of music moves your emotions?

Everyone has a different taste in what they like. One person’s hip hop may be another’s country. Research has noted a few trends such as non-lyrical music being better to help with concentration and music tending to be more soothing when the melodies progress from low to high notes, making them harmonious.

Below are some types of music that can have an effect on your mood, be it calming or a pick-me-up song.

Classical

Orchestral music for centuries has been moving the hearts of audiences around the globe. Symphonies to powerful string solos, classical music has a harmonious melody that helps many relax while listening to it. Orchestral music has a rise and fall of notes that pull many into their own world of peace and it can help one concentrate on work. When sitting in a room, just having some classical music playing makes the room feel more at peace, making the people inside able to relax a bit more.

Some suggestions:

• “Orchestral Suite No.3 in D major, BW 1068” by Johann Sebastian Bach

• “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber

• “Traumerei” by Schumann

Jazz

Depending on your mood, slow or upbeat jazz work just as well as the other. The rhythm of jazz is easy to get caught in and almost instantly releases the tension of the listener. Because it is mostly instrumental it allows you to focus on the beat and the individual notes rather than getting lost in the lyrics. Even the lyrical songs are catchy enough to have you bobbing along almost right away. The laid-back pace encourages the listener to join in at the same level and bask in the moment.

Song suggestions:

• “Just The Two Of Us” by Grover Washington Jr.

• “My Favorite Things” by John Coltrane

• “So What” by Miles Davis

The ‘30s to the ‘60s

Some of the greatest hits to this day made their debut from as early as the 1930s to the 1960s. There is a reason for that. Many are so moving in lyrical composition as well as the melodious tunes that invoke a sense of warmth and passion from the audience. These songs have the ability to sooth, invoke passion, sadden and bring joy to those who listen. These are the ethereal songs that bring us back to better years.

Some suggestions:

• “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” by Frank Sinatra

• “I Want to Hold your Hand” by the Beatles

• “If I Can Dream” by Elvis Presley

Musicals

Many can admit that musicals provide some of the catchiest tunes around. Not only that, they have the ability to make you laugh because of some of the wacky lines in them, which is something songs are not normally able to do. They help keep your mood up when you feel down. Let you sing along with your friends and just have a fun time. Musicals are kind of like the greatest keepme- happy songs around.

Some suggestions:

• The soundtrack of Mamma Mia! (movie)

• The soundtrack of Hairspray

• The soundtrack of Wicked

the Musical

Video game music

It’s there in the background constantly, but is barely noticeable when playing. Without it though, there would be an element of the game lost. There are many games with beautiful instrumental tracks that move a player to a calming sense of accomplishment. Emotionally tied to the tale, game music may be one of the most effective types of music that can control your mood since game music is designed to portray the mood of a game to its listeners. Essentially, game original soundtracks (OST) were made with the players’ emotions in mind.

Some suggestions:

• Chibi Robo OST

• Nier Automata OST

• Kingdom Hearts HD ReMix OST

Your favourites

As stated before, it is in the end up to personal preference. If you don’t like what you are listening to, how will you ever relax? After all, half the enjoyment of music is the relaxation it can bring.