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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

fMRI Mapping of Brain Activity Associated with the Vocal Production of Consonant and Dissonant Intervals

fMRI Mapping of Brain Activity Associated with the Vocal Production of Consonant and Dissonant Intervals

Published on: May 23, 2017

Psycho-physiological responses to expressive piano performance.

Hidehiro Nakahara¹, Shinichi Furuya, Peter R Francis

¹Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences, 1-26-16, Nankokita, Suminoe, Osaka 559-8611, Japan. hinakahara@moted.hss.osaka-u.ac.jp

International Journal of Psychophysiology : Official Journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology

|December 23, 2009

Summary

Expressive piano playing increases emotional arousal and alters autonomic responses like heart rate and sweating. Ancillary body movements during performance did not significantly impact these physiological changes.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

fMRI Mapping of Brain Activity Associated with the Vocal Production of Consonant and Dissonant Intervals

fMRI Mapping of Brain Activity Associated with the Vocal Production of Consonant and Dissonant Intervals

Published on: May 23, 2017

Area of Science:

Psychology
Music Performance
Physiology

Background:

Emotional expression in music is linked to physiological changes.
Embodiment theory suggests a connection between physical actions and emotional experience.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate autonomic and cardio-respiratory responses during expressive piano performance.
To differentiate the effects of emotional expression from physical movement on physiological responses.

Main Methods:

Nine elite pianists performed a musical piece under four conditions: expressive/non-expressive, with/without body movements.
Monitored heart rate (HR), sweating rate, heart rate variability (RMSSD), oxygen consumption (VO(2)), minute ventilation, tidal volume, and respiratory rate.
Recorded trunk and arm kinematics and collected subjective emotional ratings.

Main Results:

Expressive performance significantly increased valence, arousal, HR, sweating rate, minute ventilation, and tidal volume, while decreasing RMSSD and respiratory rate compared to non-expressive performance.
No significant difference in oxygen consumption (VO(2)) was found between expressive and non-expressive conditions.
Ancillary body movements did not significantly alter most physiological measures, except for respiratory rate.

Conclusions:

Expressive musical performance modulates emotion-related autonomic and cardio-respiratory responses.
These physiological changes are largely independent of the physical exertion from ancillary body movements during performance.