Tuning the brain for music
BrainTuning project aimed at systematically investigating the subsequent and multidimensional stages of the brain functions enabling
us to perceive, perform, and enjoy music.
Approach
BrainTuning project consisted of five scientific subprojects thematically arranged as follows: Music features and emotions, Emotions
and music appreciation in the brain, Music emotions and reactions in human development, Music emotions and actions in music
experts, and Neural basis for music therapy.
The work was performed by the following partners: University of Helsinki (Finland, Coordinator), University of Jyväskylä (Finland), VitaSalute San Raffaele University, Milan (Italy), University of Leipzig (Germany), University of Montreal, and Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan
(KTH, Royal Academy of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden).
To determine the dynamic aspects of music-induced emotions in its various forms, the relation between musical features and basic
dimensions of emotion was analyzed by combining methods from computational, behavioural, and brain science. More specifically, the
project was able to form a successful platform for researchers to share their expertise in the most advanced forms of acoustical sound
analysis, several traditional and also innovative behavioural measures of human sound cognition and emotions, as well as the most
appropriate manners to utilize brain mapping techniques (electromagnetic and haemodynamic measures).
Outcome
Braintuning project achieved several methodological and empirical breakthroughs which can be categorized as follows.
• Method development
Within the context of the project, two innovative tools were developed for the use within the fields of music psychology and music information retrieval. First, a simplified musical instrument “Music box” allows the listener to specifically adjust a given sound parameter
within a prerecorded song to produce an intended emotion (e.g., tempo or mode => happy, sad) (Friberg & Bresin, 2008). Second, highly
advanced sound-analysis soware “MIR tool box” allows the user to determine the degree of the existence of over 100 acoustical
and musical parameters in a given sound example (Lartillot & Toiviainen, 2007). Both of these innovations have been enthusiastically
approved by their audiences and are in active use.
• Theoretical development
Within the context of the project, several major theoretical contributions were published. In the present context, the following ones
deserve to be noticed in particular:
The first of them dealt with the high specialization which the human brain can display as a function of a different type of musical
expertise (Tervaniemi 2009). The second was a thorough and elaborated answer to a question about the emergence of the aesthetic
experience during biological evolution (Brattico et al. 2009). The third represents a critical but open-minded comparison between
two prevailing theoretical viewpoints regarding the major anchoring points of music emotions in the minds of the listeners (Eerola &
Vuoskoski, in press).
• Empirical findings – some highlights of published findings
Perani et al. (2010) evidenced that the human brain is intrinsically specialized to process sound information in a lateralized manner
already at birth.
© European Union, 2011. This document should not be considered as representative of the Commission’s official position.
The Braintuning project commenced by a careful consideration of the state-of-the-art in each study with regard to their technical,
methodological, theoretical, and empirical backgrounds. Thereaer the investigations, documented already in the project proposal in
their preliminary form, were carefully reconsidered. Aer receiving a consensus from all participating partners, practical preparations
were made and the planned experiments were started. When necessary, new technical and computational tools were also meanwhile
developed. On some occasions, further theoretical work was also required before starting the empirical work.
Demonstration of the developed Music boxes for children during the Music and Emotion Day in Helsinki, May 2009
• Applied perspectives
For the first time, the effectiveness of an active form of music therapy (clinical improvisation therapy) was systematically investigated
when it was used to ameliorate symptoms of mild psychiatric disorder (depression). In this endeavor, both behavioural and neural
indices were used (Erkkilä et al., submitted).
• Project visibility in scientific context and in media
The project outcome was introduced widely at scientific congresses and in the media. In addition, the project organized an international
congress called Braintuning workshop - Music, emotions, and brain plasticity (February 2009, Helsinki) and a series of parallel special
events called Music and Emotion day (May-June 2009 in Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Stockholm, Leipzig, and Milan). In addition, during the
project period, 27 scientific reports were published in international scientific journals and books using peer-review procedure and more
than 10 were submitted for publication.
Currently, there is a special issue in progress entitled “Interdisciplinary studies on music in the brain” in a respected journal Cortex
devoted to the outcome of the Braintuning project and related contributions (professors Perani, Tervaniemi, and Toiviainen as its guest
editors).
Contract
BRAINTUNING
Coordinator
Helsingin Yliopisto (Uhel), Finland
Partners
JyU - University of Jyväskylä, Finland
KTH - Kungl Tekniska Hoegskolan, Sweden
UHSR - Universita' Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Italy
Uleipzig - University of Leipzig, Germany
Montreal - University of Montreal, Canada
EC-contribution
2.434.684,28 €
Full partner and project information available on http://cordis.europa.eu/fp6/projects.htm
The coordinator provided text and pictures for the factsheet and his copyright is acknowledged
http://ec.europa.eu/research