Abstract
The aim of this study is to consider the role of music theory and performance proficiency in eliciting emotions by listening to music. A related aim is to consider how age, personality, musical preference and mood predicts the level of musical emotion felt by the listener. Ninety-three participants listened to 8 film excerpts and rated the emotional response elicited by the music excepts. Linear regression tests revealed that music theory and performance proficiency, as separate variables, predict the level of emotion felt by the listener. Further multiple regression tests indicate that music theory proficiency is a stronger predictor of musical emotion than musical performance proficiency. Linear regression tests also suggested that participants with introverted personalities have a musical preference for music of an intense in nature, like heavy metal and punk.
