Meeting Support Institute

Introduction Music and emotion are very closely related. Whether subtle or profound, the effect that music has on us cannot be underestimated. Simply remembering a particular piece of music can produce an emotion in us, and people play certain types of music depending on their feelings at the time. Music can be used to great effect: in movies, music may be used to add tension to a scene or to emphasise a sad moment. In the days when silent films were made, music would be played with the intention of changing the audience’s emotions: actors such as Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin acted along knowing full well how the music added great depth. Advertisers also know the power of music: in shops and on adverts, background music is often used to enhance a person's desire to buy goods, while fast food restaurants play faster music to encourage people to eat quickly.