Why do we listen to sad music? With Sandra Garrido

Why do we listen to sad music? with Sandra Garrido

Welcome to another episode of The Power of Music Thinking podcast.

Our guest today is both an accomplished musician and a fascinating researcher. Dr. Sandra Garrido is a pianist and violinist who holds a PhD combining the worlds of music and psychology. Her work focuses on a question that touches all of us: how can music regulate our mood and improve our mental wellbeing? What’s truly unique is that she explores this not just today, but through a historical lens, uncovering how we’ve always used music to feel better. 

In our conversation, Sandra gives us fascinating insights into the paradoxical appeal of sad music. We talked about why the same Adele song might make one person feel comforted while sending another into a negative loop. Sandra also shares how music can be a powerful tool for young people with depression and its surprising role in dementia care, making this a conversation you won’t want to miss.

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Show notes for why we listen to sad music

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And stay tuned, because this is the last episode before the summer break. I will do a trip to Japan, do some field recordings and search for stories around the beautiful Japanese instrument: the Shakuhachi. So, hit the subscribe button now to never miss an episode.