Expression of emotion through musical parameters in 3- and 5-year-olds

ABSTRACT

While the use of musical parameters for emotional expression has been extensively studied, little is known about which specific musical parameters children at different ages are able to use for expressing specific emotions. We used a novel interface called Music Box that allows modification of musical parameters while music is being played in real time. Children (N = 37, 18 girls) at the age of 3 and 5 were asked to modify three parameters – tempo, loudness, and pitch – in expressing three emotions – happiness, sadness, and anger. We hypothesised that both 5-year-olds and 3-year-olds could use each of the parameters in differentiating between the emotions. Results showed that 3-year-olds were equally competent than 5-year-olds in using the parameters. Differences based on gender and music background were additionally measured. The study provides knowledge on normative development of children’s ability for musical expression of emotion, which can be used to inform music education and music therapy practices.

KEYWORDS:

• Emotional expression
• children
• basic emotions
• musical parameters

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Dr Suvi Saarikallio is a Docent of Music Psychology, working as Senior Researcher and Department Vice-Head at the Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä. Saarikallio specialises in music, emotions, and psychosocial development.

Prof. Mari Tervaniemi is Head of the CICERO Learning, working at the Cognitive Brain Research Unit and Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki. Tervaniemi specialises in mechanisms of human auditory cognition, emotion, and expertise.

MA Antti Yrtti conducted his Master’s thesis at the University of Jyväskylä as part of this research project and currently works as an Audio Engineer at Storytel AB.

Prof. Minna Huotilainen works as Professor of Education at the Faculty of Education and at the Cognitive Brain Research Unit, University of Helsinki. Huotilainen specialises in neural mechanisms of learning and cognition.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Kulttuurin ja Yhteiskunnan Tutkimuksen Toimikunta, Academy of Finland: [grant number 136358, 141106].