If you’re feeling down in the dumps, nothing helps quite like a good playlist. Whether dealing with a breakup, loss or just general unhappiness, music can be an effective tool for catharsis and emotional release.
Recently, a study looked into how people respond to music when feeling depressed. It discovered that listeners seek seven distinct emotions through music: entertainment, revival, strong sensation, mental work, solace, diversion and discharge.
Convey the Emotion
Music can elicit a range of emotions in listeners. Some individuals may be especially vulnerable to negative feelings like sadness and grief, which while normal, should not be ignored if not handled appropriately.
That is why it’s essential to comprehend how music can elicit emotion. The tempo, key and type of instruments used in a piece can all play an integral role in whether or not they elicit feelings of happiness or sadness.
Studies have revealed that people tend to favor songs in a minor key or with melancholy lyrics when experiencing feelings of sadness. This is likely due to the musical construct known as the minor third, which has been used since at least the 17th century to convey sorrow.
Another study revealed that people who have experienced mental pain or emotional distress tend to enjoy music categorized as sad. This may be because these individuals need a way to release those emotions and may not find fulfillment from simply upbeat or cheerful tunes.
These findings are similar to those found in a 2014 Berlin study which showed people who listened to sad music rated it higher than those who listened to happy music, likely because a song that is sad can provide comfort or validation.
While the connection between sad music and feelings of comfort is generally positive, it should be remembered that listening to such music can be emotionally draining and worsen feelings of sadness or depression. Therefore, it’s important to listen to music in moderation and seek professional assistance if you are feeling unwell.
Select a Minor Key
Music when sad can be played in any key, but minor keys tend to sound melancholic and reflective. A minor key, for instance, can evoke feelings such as brokenheartedness, despair, sorrow and hopelessness.
Minor scales offer more expressive possibilities than major keys for expressing your emotions. Natural minor, harmonic minor and melodic minor scales all exist to help you convey a variety of different feelings.
A minor key scale consists of a series of whole steps and half steps, as shown in the diagram above. To play a minor scale, select any note, then play 1 whole step, then a half step, then 2 whole steps, and so on.
Minor keys differ from major keys in that they lack sharps or flats. This makes them easier to work with when editing parts in a piano roll or playing them on the keyboard.
To determine whether a song is in a minor key or major key, look at its key signature. This will tell you whether the piece begins on the tonic (D) note or not and if any accidentals have been left out of the signature. Additionally, look for any accidentals not included in the key signature.
In addition to the key signature, you can also examine the tonic and dominant chords of a song. These notes indicate which key it is in, typically being the first and last chords on the scale.
A major key is usually represented by starting on either the tonic or dominant chord; on the other hand, minor keys may begin with chords not found within that key.
Write in the First Person
A sad scene can be amplified if the narrator is experiencing it honestly. This is especially essential in songs about tragedies since the narrator typically has more vulnerability than other characters in the story.
First person narratives have become a widely popular writing style that has been utilized successfully by numerous authors. Typically, first person narratives focus on the internal dialogue of one character in particular.
Narrating first person accounts often leads to interesting storytelling when done correctly; however, this can become a disadvantage when writers use first person too frequently or don’t know how best to utilize it.
One of the best ways to avoid first person mistakes is by showing your draft to others and getting their input. You can do this by asking friends or members of writing groups to read your work and provide constructive criticism.
Another strategy is to use foreshadowing to heighten the tension of the climax. This can be done casually through dialogue between characters or an inner thought of your protagonist, but it should come as a shock to the reader.
Another strategy is to write the scene from a different point of view, which can help readers connect with your character more deeply and feel their sadness. This could be done through sarcasm, wry smiles or sense of humor.
Finally, ensure you use a consistent tense throughout your writing. Shifting from present to past or vice versa can cause readers to become confused and lose interest in what you have to say.
Be Poetic
Music can be an incredibly effective tool to process and release emotions. Listening to sad songs can lift your spirits and help release any burdens of sadness that are weighing you down.
However, many people associate sad songs with painful experiences, leading to negative emotions when listening to sad music. This, according to a 2016 study published in Neuropsychopharmacology, could potentially affect one’s overall mood.
Researchers discovered that those most susceptible to negative emotions during music listening were those who had suffered loss or trauma in their lives, such as a break-up, death in the family or relationship breakdown. It was these people who were most likely to feel depressed while listening to sad music.
Researchers discovered that listening to sad music causes the release of prolactin, a hormone which can help ease the suffering associated with loss or trauma. This hormone regulates a person’s response to stressors by decreasing feelings of grief.
Though this study focused on men, it’s worth remembering that women and children can still benefit from sad music’s positive effects. Studies have also demonstrated that music helps boost moods and self-esteem even in those with depression or other mental health issues.
Writing poetry, whether for school or just to practice your craft, doesn’t have to be intimidating. Don’t be afraid to express emotion and vulnerability in your work – it can be an excellent outlet for expressing feelings and connecting with others.
Be Vulnerable
Listening to sad music can evoke feelings of despair or anguish, but it also leaves you vulnerable.
Vulnerability is the capacity to share one’s deepest thoughts, fears and desires without judgement or fear of judgment from others. While this process may take practice and feel scary at first, the rewards of embracing vulnerability far outweigh any negative outcomes.
Practicing vulnerability can be an excellent way to build meaningful connections with those you care about. This could take the form of telling someone your true feelings, sharing your opinions with a close friend, or being honest about something that has occurred in your life with your significant other.
It can be challenging to be vulnerable in front of others, yet it is the best thing you can do for your relationship with someone. Brene Brown PhD, an expert on vulnerability, has studied how those who are vulnerable develop stronger bonds and feel closer connected than their non-vulnerable counterparts.
She notes that people who feel vulnerable tend to value courage, forgiveness, growth and kindness more highly than their less vulnerable peers.
But being vulnerable comes with risks, and it can be hard to let yourself go when in a bad mood. This is especially true at work where it is often inappropriate to express emotions or emotional distress on the job.
If you’re trying to manage your emotions, sad music can be a helpful starting point. It helps put you in a better frame of mind and provides some emotional release.