S C I E N C E

Tune into change.

It all started with a piano…

Growing up, I used to compose music when I felt stressed or overwhelmed.

The music would often start out heavy—sad, angry, anxious—echoing how I felt. But as I played, something would shift. The melodies would lighten, becoming brighter or more peaceful, and I'd feel the weight lift off me. Without fail, the music helped me release what I was carrying.

Intrigued by whether science could explain this phenomenon, I began to research…

The Science

As I delved into the science behind how music can relieve stress, I began to draw up a list of compositional elements—such as a slow tempo, simple harmonies, long, sustaining notes, soft dynamics, repetitive patterns, and intentional moments of silence—that had been shown to induce relaxation. These musical elements guide the mind toward a state of calm, helping reduce stress and enhance emotional well-being.

I was particularly excited to come across a foundational concept in music therapy, known as the "iso principle" (Altshuler, 1948) — a framework in which music aims to to “meet” listeners where they are emotionally. Counterintuitively, to feel calmer, it can help to begin by listening to ‘stressful’ or intense music and then gradually shifting your playlist’s tone. By aligning music with your current state and gradually transforming it, the iso principle helps you transform your own emotional state and move towards calmness and balance

Leonard Meyer's theory furthers this approach by suggesting that good music strikes a balance between predictability and surprise. By thoughtfully incorporating moments of uncertainty, tension, and release, music captures the listener’s attention and redirects focus, creating a potent emotional experience.

Moreover, research shows that personal music preferences play a vital role in enhancing music's stress-relieving benefits. Studies by Hanser (1999), Pelletier (2004), and Smith & Joyce (2004) highlight how familiar, beloved music can be most effective in promoting relaxation and reducing stress, as it resonates more deeply with individual memories and emotions.

I’ve drawn on these insights to compose original pieces and curate playlists designed to boost your mood and improve your mental wellbeing.

Case study: ‘Journey’ playlist

The playlist was carefully crafted with the ISO principle in mind, which means each song was selected to guide the listener's emotions in a gradual, therapeutic way. It features some of my favorite tracks – chosen for their specific moods, tempos, and keys as well as the composing techniques underlying them – to help listeners move beyond a moment of stress or tension and lift their moods.

Based on the ISO principle, this playlist incorporates a gradual shift in emotional tone: from heavy and stressed to calm and tranquil. To get the most out of the playlist, you should pay attention to your current mood, and start on the song that best matches it. Engaging in active listening, allow the playlist to guide your mood as it slowly transitions to a peaceful tone.

Barber’s Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 

Written in 1936, the piece was composed at a time of world instability. Since its premier in 1938, it has been referred to as America’s ‘national anthem of sorrow’: it was played during the broadcast over radio at the announcement of Franklin D. Roosevelt's death, a national radio broadcast following the funeral of assassinated President John F. Kennedy, and at the Royal Albert Hall in memory of victims of the 9/11 attack. The slow, sustained, stepwise melody evokes a prayer-like emotion with a sense of grief, mournfulness and solemnity. The deliberate silences allow space for deeper reflection and emotional tension.

Shostakovich’s Prelude No. 4 in E minor, Op. 87

The Prelude uses deep, sustained octaves, a flow of eighth notes, and an intertwining melody of slurred pairs that imitate a ‘sighing’ expression. The piece portrays a sombre and introspective mood. The repetitive motifs add a sense of meditation and emotional weight.

Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Op. 85, III. Adagio 

Composed in 1919, after World War I, the slow tempo of the movement portrays a sense of sorrow and loss but also a sense of yearning. The uninterrupted cello solo is similar to a personal lyrical narrative that allows the listener an intimate connection to the emotional journey. A subtle shift in mood with a glimpse of hope appears at the end of the piece. 

Chopin’s Nocturne in C-sharp minor

The Nocturne is an introspective song: written in C-sharp minor, with intricate harmonies and frequent modulations, it conveys longing and the beginning of a movement towards peace.

Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, II. Adagio

This piece is more commonly known as the Sonata Pathétique – reflecting the depth of feeling and swells of emotion the piece evokes. It feels calm and warm, featuring modulating episodes that transition through various keys- contributing to moments of tension and release within its serene framework.

Jean Sibelius’  Five Pieces, Op. 75

This piece showcases Sibelius’ own deep connection to nature. Notable for its expressive beauty, the music conveys a sense of serenity underpinned by a note of melancholy: listening, we can almost visualise the trees the music was inspired by.

Liszt’s Consolation No. 2 in E major, S. 172/2

A gentle lyrical melody gives the listener a calm, comforting feeling, with a sense of support provided by the broken chords on the left hand. Repetition of the motif in different registers of the piano allows an emotional exploration, enhancing a feeling of warmth and affection. At the higher registers, a sense of heavenly atmosphere portrays a peaceful and hopeful outlook.

Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 13 in B flat major, K333: 3. Allegretto grazioso

The simple melody of this piece tunes the listener to a playful, child-like sense of happiness. The joyful familiarity in the repetition of the melody in different variations reinforces the emotional narrative. A delightful resolution gives this playlist a spirited and uplifting ending.

Listen to ‘Journey’ on Spotify