Sadness is generally seen as a negative emotion, but we tend to find it pleasurable in an aesthetic context. The nature of pleasure from sad music is explored through emotional expression, emotional release, the calming effects of hormones like prolactin, and the role of empathy.
Music expresses particular emotions by emulating the vocal sounds produced by the human voice. This is readily apparent in Samuel Barber's famous Adagio for strings, which was voted the saddest musical work in an International BBC poll.
When we listen to sad music, we feel sympathy without the burden of guilt from inaction. It offers a safe emotional experience, allowing for catharsis while keeping us detached from real-world consequences.
Sad music can release the hormone prolactin, promoting feelings of calmness that help counteract mental pain. This contributes to the pleasurable experience of engaging with sad music.
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