Does music enhance your mood, or change your mood?

[iamsaint]

And I don't mean that personally. I mean, there has to be a clear answer, but its not really so clear. Could it do both? But why would it do one rather than the other in different situations?

I used to always think music changed my mood, everytime i'd get upset, i'd listen to elliott, or the unicorns, and be happy somehow... or just way more depressed and i didn't realize it, who knows.

but then since reading a few days ago that Elliott though music enhanced whatever mood you were already in, i started thinking about that, and it's a really difficult question now.

any thoughts from those of you that are interested by this?

[Obstinate]

I think music is a bit of both. Its both an enhancer and it helps. When you're in a crappy mood, naturally you'll listen to sad music. But it usually helps you to feel better a little later right? Listening to sad music usually leads to listening to something happy to be in a better mood after you're done. Then happy music really enhances a mood, like if you're enjoying yourself with friends, you don't turn on Twilight. I say its a mood enchancer and comfort food for the soul :)

[blunderful]

elliott calms me down if i'm angry, and usually turns that anger into depression, which i prefer because i do not like fighting

i usually listen to music that suits my mood, so it rarely changes my mood. if i'm feeling relaxed, ill listen to something relaxing like Andrew Bird. but sometimes if I'm really bored, I will try to use music to change my mood. sometimes I'll create playlists full of songs like Shooting Star to get me all excited

[Liquid Sunshine]

changes my mood or mostly sways it towards that direction, if I'm happy then elliotts music makes me feel more sad, if I'm sad then elliotts music makes me feel worse.

[Bucket Destroyer]

elliott calms me down if i'm angry, and usually turns that anger into depression, which i prefer because i do not like fighting

i usually listen to music that suits my mood, so it rarely changes my mood. if i'm feeling relaxed, ill listen to something relaxing like Andrew Bird. but sometimes if I'm really bored, I will try to use music to change my mood. sometimes I'll create playlists full of songs like Shooting Star to get me all excited

Elliott's really good for calming you down. I basically agree with all of what blunderful said. I really think it can both enhance and change your mood.

[recordrunning]

It does work well for calming, like others have said.
I listen to Elliott every night before bed. I sometimes have panic attacks at night when I'm trying to sleep, and having the music to focus on gives me something else to think about and helps keep my mood in a better place.
I'm not sure whether it enhances or changes moods. But I do know that Elliott's music, in particular, has some sort of comforting affect. I tend to bring his music with me to stressful events (jury duty, family get-togethers), and it is soothing for me.

...hopefully that didn't sound too weird. :crazy:

[Bucket Destroyer]

not at all, i take mine to school (esp. maths class) because it's helpful if me and my two friends have just yelled at each other and we're all sitting there sulking I can just whip out my ipod and it calms me down.

[defubar]

If I listen to music I enjoy, it can be calming. If I hear music I don't like, it's annoying.

I don't think the actual content of the music is important, it's whether you like it or not. As far as changing/enhancing the mood goes.

It's your mind, the music does what you want it to!

[Lyly]

some Elliott's songs will make me ralle happy. even if i'm sad ... it don't last but for minutes i'm fine. some other will enhancer my depressed mood ... but after i'm better.
and Elliott's music is the only one who can calm me if i'm totally panicked, anxious... if for example i'm lost anywhere with nobody to help me and i begin to have a panick attack i know i should put Elliott on my mp3 to calm me down.

[recordrunning]

If I listen to music I enjoy, it can be calming. If I hear music I don't like, it's annoying.

I don't think the actual content of the music is important, it's whether you like it or not. As far as changing/enhancing the mood goes.

It's your mind, the music does what you want it to!

:yes: That's kind of what I was getting at.

[TheKeenGuy]

My mood enhances the music.

[satisfied mind]

I haven't read what's been written so far, but I think it's all a matter of attention. If it's in the background then it tends to enhance, but if you're giving it your full then it can change. There's also the matter of choice. If you select a certain song while being in a certain mood, chances are you're going to choose one that will enhance. In general though I'd say that the more pure your attention (ie unmediated, unanticipated presence) the higher the chance of your mood being susceptible to change by the music that's played at that time.

[Fantasy Paradox]

My brother said in his bio class he did this experiment where he took the pulse of a student then made him listen to something calming, checked his pulse again, then made him listen to soemthing heavier.

he said nothing happened.

[Liquid Sunshine]

My brother said in his bio class he did this experiment where he took the pulse of a student then made him listen to something calming, checked his pulse again, then made him listen to soemthing heavier.

he said nothing happened.

sounds like conclusive evidence to me :yes:

bahhumbug

[DrHibbert]

Does music enhance your mood, or change your mood?

Yes.

[robot hand]

weather changes moods

http://www.clips-music.com/nirvana/images/in-bloom.jpg

[iamsaint]

weather changes moods

http://www.clips-music.com/nirvana/images/in-bloom.jpg

that is actually true.

weather is a surrounding, so is music. therefore music can change your mood.

[robot hand]

:yes:

[Twitter&Bisted]

I find it definitely changes/enhances my mood. I find it very useful for keeping me on the level while at work too. Some days I just HAVE to have some Elliott on or murder WOULD be comitted..........

Today is more of a Sleater-Kinney kind of day though. Need motivation on my first day back after a week off.

And yeah, I find the weather has a huge effect on my mood too. Especially when it's as bad as it's been here recently.

[jetsetvenom]

Music (for me) definitely compliments my moods. But that's usually because I listen to stuff that I associate my mood with. If I was sad, I wouldn't normally listen to happy music. But if I did, then it would probably (most likely) make me feel better!