Changes in alpha band EEG activity in the frontal area after stimulation with music of different affective content

This study investigated the stimulating effects of music. Twelve-channel EEGs( Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8, Fz, C3, C4, Pz, T5, T6, O1, O2) were recorded on 10 students during periods of baseline, premusic rest, music (stimulating or calming), and postmusic rest. The amplitude of the alpha-2 (9.6 to 11.4 Hz) band was lower during the rest session than that during the baseline session. In the music period the amplitude of alpha-2 band increased during both the stimulating and calm music. The frontal interhemispheric coherence values (F7-F8) of the alpha-2 band increased during the stimulating music session, while the coherence values did not change during the calm music. These findings implied close relationships between the interhemispheric transmission of information in the frontal areas and positive attention to stimulating music.