What Happens in the Brain When We Make Music Together

The social neuroscience of music - a new theory regarding the brain functions that support music making and social bonding

Source: MabelAmber/Pixabay

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many people turned to music in order to connect with others, as evidenced by participation in live concerts online, singing together from balconies, clapping for responders, or singing together online. We have witnessed how individuals have quickly found ways, with music, to adapt and reach out to others so that their social needs will be met in face of social distancing, fear of the unknown, and isolation.

In a new theoretical paper, my colleagues David M. Greenberg and Jean Decety and I attempt to illustrate how these musical reactions can be understood through the latest advances in social neuroscience and musical science. We term our theory "the social neuroscience of music" — an area that, to date, has not received much scientific attention.

Synthesizing prior theory and research, we introduce a model of the brain that sheds light on the social functions and brain mechanisms that underlie the musical adaptations used for human connection. We provide a comprehensive model of the social brain regarding music and highlight the key neural and hormonal mechanisms involved in making music.

We highlight the roles of the neurotransmitters dopamine, cortisol, and oxytocin as well as brain functions that have to do with the immune system and language. We argue that the same social brain networks implicated in making music are also involved in the social processes of human cognition—understanding others, empathizing, and coordinating with others. All of these neural functions are at the basis of our sociality — what supports us in finding connections with others and bonding.

We think that the musical situations that we are witnessing during the COVID-19 pandemic provide us with a window to push for a better and more profound understanding of the relationship between the social brain and music.

Music is a powerful tool that can bring individuals together, promote empathy and communication, and heal social divisions. They say that a better scientific understanding of how music provides brain-to-brain social connections helps highlight that music isn’t mere entertainment, but instead is a core feature of human existence with important social implications.