Music induces a wide range of emotions. However, the influence of physiological
functions on musical emotions needs further theoretical considerations. This paper
summarizes the physical and physiological functions that are related to musical emo-
tions, and proposes a model for the embodied communication of musical emotions based
on a discussion on the transmission of musical emotions across people by sharing move-
ments and gestures. In this model, human with musical emotion is represented with
(1) the interfaces of perception and expression (senses, movements, facial and vocal
expressions), (2) an internal system of neural activities including the mirror system
and the hormonal secretion system that handles responses to musical activities, and
(3) the musical emotion that is enclosed in the internal system. Using this model, mu-
sic is the medium for transmitting emotions, and communication of musical emotions
is the communication of internal emotions through music and perception/expression
interfaces. Finally, we will discuss which aspect in music functions to encourage the
communication of musical emotions by humans.