Brain Responses while Imaging Music: Comparison between Known and Unknown Music

Abstract

This paper describes an electroencephalogram (EEG) response while imaging music with and without listening to it. It is reported that, by performing actions (such as singing, imaging, etc.) in synchronization with music, we can feel more pleasant than when not performing these actions. We think that emotions (such as pleasantness, sadness, etc.) may be different between imaging music with and without listening to it. Taking these issues into consideration, we investigate activated parts of the brain while listening or not listening to known and unknown music to explore the source of emotions evoked by past experiences. As a result, the visual cortex is activated while listening to known music, but it is not activated while listening to unknown music. In conclusion, we know that the subjects tend to perceive known music more visually when imaging music with listening than when doing without listening to it. This may suggest that the activation of visual cortex is related to the emotions evoked by past experiences.