Session #5: Building New Connections with Music

30th May, 2023    |    By  University of Melbourne    |     949

Session #5: Building New Connections with Music – The Power of Music Sessions Brought to you by the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music.

The University of Melbourne. In this video, we look at the powerful connections we have with music and how we can build new connections with music that can serve us well. This interdisciplinary project is conducted by researchers from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music and the Melbourne Graduate School of Education.

The project is funded by The Creativity and Wellbeing Hallmark Research Initiative. Filming and production by Highway Foundation


Also check the related topics:  

Music and our mental health

Video provided by University of Melbourne

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Session #5: Building New Connections with Music

The associations we build with songs can be incredibly powerful. They grow stronger the more we listen and the more we rehearse the connection between a song and a specific mood. The better we get at this, the more effective it becomes. For example, if you practice relaxing to a particular song, you can reach a point where you feel calm as soon as you hear it.

But what if you’re a pro at building negative associations with songs? What if you’ve listened to a track and cried or raged over and over again, so now, whenever you hear it, you start crying or raging—even if you’re just on the train or trying to study?

These song connections can be annoying, overwhelming, or even exhausting. In some cases, they can actually be harmful. For instance, if you’re struggling with intense thoughts and feelings and want to listen to music to cheer yourself up like you used to, you might find it doesn’t work. Instead, your brain might have built a strong connection to the wrong vibe.

So, how can you change that without losing your favourite song? No one wants to stop listening to the track that got them through their darkest days. Luckily, you don’t have to. You can build new associations with the song—it just takes a little effort.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Find the song you love but that makes you cry, rage, or feel overwhelmed.
  2. Notice how you feel when you listen to it. Become aware of your emotions as you hear the song.
  3. Start listening to it during positive experiences. For example, you could play the song while exercising, on your way home from a party, after spending time with friends, or after watching something funny.
  4. Be conscious of the connection. As you listen, focus on linking the song to the positive experience. Remember, you’re rewiring your brain, so stay alert and focused on the task.
  5. Repeat the process. It might take five or even ten positive experiences to build a new connection, especially if your current association is strong. Keep going—it’s worth it.

By practising this, you can create fresh, positive connections with your favourite song without needing to give it up. Plenty of people have done it, but it’s not always easy.

Why don’t you give it a try? What song is it for you?

Video by Uni Melbourne