Role of Emotions in the Selection of Materials for Creating Music :

Based on John Dewey's Theory of Art

Abstract

  This study aims to explore how emotions influence the selection of materials whose qualities mirror those emotions experienced during music creation.

  As a research method, the first step was to define the key concepts of "material," "sense quality," and "emotion," using John Dewey's Art as Experience as a reference. Next, the study applied the insights from the literature review to facilitate music creation in elementary schools. The analysis focused on the situation where children select materials. Finally, the study discussed the role of emotions in selecting materials whose qualities resemble the emotions experienced while creating music.

  The study based its analysis on Dewey's theories and concluded that the role of emotions lies in attracting materials suitable for oneself in expressive activities. People select materials based on the sensory characteristics that resonate with their emotions. Based on this premise, the study analyzed classroom practice records to explore the role of emotions in the children's choice of materials and how they influenced the selection of materials whose qualities mirrored their emotions.

  The examination led to the following conclusion on how children's emotions guided their selection of materials whose qualities mirrored the emotions experienced when creating music. First, they imagined the emotions and states of the characters from a story and then connected those with their emotions by drawing on personal experiences and visualizing specific scenes. Then, they made their choices when their emotions were aligned with materials featuring various elements, including tones, rhythms, dynamics, speed, spacing, and their sensory qualities.