Setting the Stage

Abstract

This chapter sets the stage by introducing the field of music and emotion. It addresses the following questions: Why do musical emotions matter? Why did Freud not enjoy music? Studies show that in both ‘primitive’ cultures and modern society, a considerable amount of time is spent on singing, music, and dance. And it is not just time: According to musicologist David Huron (2001), people in North America spend more money on music than on prescription drugs. There are a number of theories about the possible origin and function of music, for instance that music originally served a purpose in parent-infant bonding, language acquisition, work coordination, transmission of cultural knowledge, sexual courtship, or social coherence. There are also theories which claim that music served no purpose at all.