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In an attempt to find some of the effects of music on the heart we choose two songs, one up-tempo and one relatively slow, and took our pulse while listening to each. Our first song was entirely instrumental with a slower tempo, utilizing piano, drums, and the acoustic bass. The other song had a faster beat and utilized drums, multiple synthesizers, voices, and electric guitar. We hypothesized that the change in bpm would correspond with the change in the tempo of music. We recorded the following results:

David:

Song One- BPM: 60.4, Standard Deviation 3.8

Song Two- BPM: 62.9, Standard Deviation 4.3

Julia:

Song One- BPM: 72.6, SD 5.5

Song Two- BPM: 70.0, SD 6.4

Professor Grobstein:

Song One- BPM: 82.4, SD 1.1

Song Two- BMP: 82.9, SD 1.8

Most basically, the data showed that the average bpms did not change much while listening to the two different types of music, but the standard deviation fluctuated more when listening to the uptempo music. We found this data more relevant because this showed not just the numbers themselves, but the changes and reactions while experiencing the music. These sounds might have been louder and more jarring, and therefore caused a greater reaction.

We acknowledge the presence of ambiguity in regard to how music effects the heart rate of an individual. Our reactions to music are often tied up in rhythmic and melodic schemas, as well memory associations. In other words, different people will react to the same song differently (as evidenced by varying tastes in music).

In addition, there are phsical variables to consider, such as height, weight, lifestyle, gender, age, and other pre-existing conditions. Given these variables, our results are just generalizations. Individuals will obviously not only react differently to something as complex as music, but may have innate differences in the body as well.