topics for research on music

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A Research Guide
Research Paper Topics

120 Music Research Paper Topics

How to choose a topic for music research paper:.

Music Theory Research Paper Topics:

The influence of harmonic progression on emotional response in music
Analyzing the use of chromaticism in the compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach
The role of rhythm and meter in creating musical tension and release
Examining the development of tonality in Western classical music
Exploring the impact of cultural and historical context on musical form and structure
Investigating the use of polyphony in Renaissance choral music
Analyzing the compositional techniques of minimalist music
The relationship between melody and harmony in popular music
Examining the influence of jazz improvisation on contemporary music
The role of counterpoint in the compositions of Ludwig van Beethoven
Investigating the use of microtonality in experimental music
Analyzing the impact of technology on music composition and production
The influence of musical modes on the development of different musical genres
Exploring the use of musical symbolism in film scoring
Investigating the role of music theory in the analysis and interpretation of non-Western music

Music Industry Research Paper Topics:

The impact of streaming services on music consumption patterns
The role of social media in promoting and marketing music
The effects of piracy on the music industry
The influence of technology on music production and distribution
The relationship between music and mental health
The evolution of music genres and their impact on the industry
The economics of live music events and festivals
The role of record labels in shaping the music industry
The impact of globalization on the music industry
The representation and portrayal of gender in the music industry
The effects of music streaming platforms on artist revenue
The role of music education in fostering talent and creativity
The influence of music videos on audience perception and engagement
The impact of music streaming on physical album sales
The role of music in advertising and brand marketing

Music Therapy Research Paper Topics:

The effectiveness of music therapy in reducing anxiety in cancer patients
The impact of music therapy on improving cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease
Exploring the use of music therapy in managing chronic pain
The role of music therapy in promoting emotional well-being in children with autism spectrum disorder
Music therapy as a complementary treatment for depression: A systematic review
The effects of music therapy on stress reduction in pregnant women
Examining the benefits of music therapy in improving communication skills in individuals with developmental disabilities
The use of music therapy in enhancing motor skills rehabilitation after stroke
Music therapy interventions for improving sleep quality in patients with insomnia
Exploring the impact of music therapy on reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
The role of music therapy in improving social interaction and engagement in individuals with schizophrenia
Music therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention for managing symptoms of dementia
The effects of music therapy on pain perception and opioid use in hospitalized patients
Exploring the use of music therapy in promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety during surgical procedures
The impact of music therapy on improving quality of life in individuals with Parkinson’s disease

Music Psychology Research Paper Topics:

The effects of music on mood and emotions
The role of music in enhancing cognitive abilities
The impact of music therapy on mental health disorders
The relationship between music and memory recall
The influence of music on stress reduction and relaxation
The psychological effects of different genres of music
The role of music in promoting social bonding and cohesion
The effects of music on creativity and problem-solving abilities
The psychological benefits of playing a musical instrument
The impact of music on motivation and productivity
The psychological effects of music on physical exercise performance
The role of music in enhancing learning and academic performance
The influence of music on sleep quality and patterns
The psychological effects of music on individuals with autism spectrum disorder
The relationship between music and personality traits

Music Education Research Paper Topics:

The impact of music education on cognitive development in children
The effectiveness of incorporating technology in music education
The role of music education in promoting social and emotional development
The benefits of music education for students with special needs
The influence of music education on academic achievement
The importance of music education in fostering creativity and innovation
The relationship between music education and language development
The impact of music education on self-esteem and self-confidence
The role of music education in promoting cultural diversity and inclusivity
The effects of music education on students’ overall well-being and mental health
The significance of music education in developing critical thinking skills
The role of music education in enhancing students’ teamwork and collaboration abilities
The impact of music education on students’ motivation and engagement in school
The effectiveness of different teaching methods in music education
The relationship between music education and career opportunities in the music industry

Music History Research Paper Topics:

The influence of African music on the development of jazz in the United States
The role of women composers in classical music during the 18th century
The impact of the Beatles on the evolution of popular music in the 1960s
The cultural significance of hip-hop music in urban communities
The development of opera in Italy during the Renaissance
The influence of folk music on the protest movements of the 1960s
The role of music in religious rituals and ceremonies throughout history
The evolution of electronic music and its impact on contemporary music production
The contribution of Latin American musicians to the development of salsa music
The influence of classical music on film scores in the 20th century
The role of music in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States
The development of reggae music in Jamaica and its global impact
The influence of Mozart’s compositions on the classical music era
The role of music in the French Revolution and its impact on society
The evolution of punk rock music and its influence on alternative music genres

Music Sociology Research Paper Topics:

The impact of music streaming platforms on the music industry
The role of music in shaping cultural identity
Gender representation in popular music: A sociological analysis
The influence of social media on music consumption patterns
Music festivals as spaces for social interaction and community building
The relationship between music and political activism
The effects of globalization on local music scenes
The role of music in constructing and challenging social norms
The impact of technology on music production and distribution
Music and social movements: A comparative study
The role of music in promoting social change and social justice
The influence of socioeconomic factors on music taste and preferences
The role of music in constructing and reinforcing gender stereotypes
The impact of music education on social and cognitive development
The relationship between music and mental health: A sociological perspective

Classical Music Research Paper Topics:

The influence of Ludwig van Beethoven on the development of classical music
The role of women composers in classical music history
The impact of Johann Sebastian Bach’s compositions on future generations
The evolution of opera in the classical period
The significance of Mozart’s symphonies in the classical era
The influence of nationalism on classical music during the Romantic period
The portrayal of emotions in classical music compositions
The use of musical forms and structures in the works of Franz Joseph Haydn
The impact of the Industrial Revolution on the production and dissemination of classical music
The relationship between classical music and dance in the Baroque era
The role of patronage in the development of classical music
The influence of folk music on classical composers
The representation of nature in classical music compositions
The impact of technological advancements on classical music performance and recording
The exploration of polyphony in the works of Johann Sebastian Bach

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The Top 10 Most Interesting Music Research Topics

Music is a vast and ever-growing field. Because of this, it can be challenging to find excellent music research topics for your essay or thesis. Although there are many examples of music research topics online, not all are appropriate.

This article covers all you need to know about choosing suitable music research paper topics. It also provides a clear distinction between music research questions and topics to help you get started.

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What makes a strong music research topic.

A strong music research topic must be short, straightforward, and easy to grasp. The primary aim of music research is to apply various research methods to provide valuable insights into a particular subject area. Therefore, your topic must also address issues that are relevant to present-day readers.

Also, for your research topic to be compelling, it should not be overly generic. Try to avoid topics that seem to be too broad. A strong research topic is always narrow enough to draw out a comprehensive and relevant research question.

Tips for Choosing a Music Research Topic

Check with your supervisor. In some cases, your school or supervisor may have specific requirements for your research. For example, some music programs may favor a comparative instead of a descriptive or correlational study. Knowing what your institution demands is essential in choosing an appropriate research topic.
Explore scientific papers. Journal articles are a great way to find the critical areas of interest in your field of study. You can choose from a wide range of journals such as The Journal of Musicology and The Journal of the Royal Musical Association . These resources can help determine the direction of your research.
Determine your areas of interest. Choosing a topic you have a personal interest in will help you stay motivated. Researching music-related subjects is a painstakingly thorough process. A lack of motivation would make it difficult to follow through with your research and achieve optimal results.
Confirm availability of data sources. Not all music topics are researchable. Before selecting a topic, you must be sure that there are enough primary and secondary data sources for your research. You also need to be sure that you can carry out your research with tested and proven research methods.
Ask your colleagues: Asking questions is one of the many research skills you need to cultivate. A short discussion or brainstorming session with your colleagues or other music professionals could help you identify a suitable topic for your research paper.

What’s the Difference Between a Research Topic and a Research Question?

A research topic is a particular subject area in a much wider field that a researcher chooses to place his emphasis on. Most subjects are extensive. So, before conducting research, a researcher must first determine a suitable area of interest that will act as the foundation for their investigation.

Research questions are drawn from research topics. However, research questions are usually more streamlined. While research topics can take a more generic viewpoint, research questions further narrow the focus down to specific case studies or seek to draw a correlation between two or more datasets.

How to Create Strong Music Research Questions

Strong music research questions must be relevant and specific. Music is a broad field with many genres and possible research areas. However, your research question must focus on a single subject matter and provide valuable insights. Also, your research question should be based on parameters that can be quantified and studied using available research methods.

2. Hip-hop Culture and Its Effect on Teenage Behavior

In 2020, hip-hop and RnB had the highest streaming numbers , according to Statista. Without a doubt, hip-hop music has had a significant influence on the behavior of young adults. There is still the need to conduct extensive research on this subject to determine if there is a correlation between hip-hop music and specific behavioral patterns, especially among teenagers.

3. The Application of Music as a Therapeutic Tool

For a long time, music has been used to manage stress and mental health disorders like anxiety, PTSD, and others. However, the role of music in clinical treatment still remains a controversial topic. Further research is required to separate fact from fiction and provide insight into the potential of music therapy.

4. Contemporary Rock Music and Its Association With Harmful Social Practices

Rock music has had a great influence on American culture since the 1950s. Since its rise to prominence, it has famously been associated with vices such as illicit sex and abuse of recreational drugs. An excellent research idea could be to evaluate if there is a robust causal relationship between contemporary rock music and adverse social behaviors.

5. The Impact of Streaming Apps on Global Music Consumption

Technology has dramatically affected the music industry by modifying individual music consumption habits. Presently, over 487 million people subscribe to a digital streaming service, according to Statista. Your research paper could examine how much of an influence popular music streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have had on how we listen to music.

6. Effective American Music Education Practices

Teaching practices have always had a considerable impact on students’ academic success. However, not all strategies have an equal effect in enhancing learning experiences for students. You can conduct comparative research on two or more American music education practices and evaluate their impact on learning outcomes.

7. The Evolution of Music Production in the Technology-driven Era

One of the aspects of music that is experiencing a massive change is sound production. More than ever before, skilled, tech-savvy music producers are in high demand. At the moment, music producers earn about $70,326 annually, according to ZipRecruiter. So, your research could focus on the changes in music production techniques since the turn of the 21st century.

8. Jazz Music and Its Influence on Western Music Genres

The rich history of jazz music has established it as one of the most influential genres of music since the 19th century. Over the years, several famous composers and leading voices across many other western music genres have been shaped by jazz music’s sound and culture. You could carry out research on the influence of this genre of music on modern types of music.

9. The Effect of Wars on Music

Wars have always brought about radical changes in several aspects of culture, including music styles. Throughout history, we have witnessed wars result in the death of famous musicians. If you are interested in learning about music history in relation to global events, a study on the impact of wars on music will make an excellent music research paper.

10. African Tribal Percussion

African music is well recognized for its unique application of percussion. Historically, several tribes and cultures had their own percussion instruments and original methods of expression. Unfortunately, this musical style has mainly gone undocumented. An in-depth study into ancient African tribal percussion would make a strong music research paper.

Music Research Questions

What is the relationship between country music and conservationist ideologies among middle-aged American voters?
What is the effect of listening to Chinese folk music on the critical thinking skills of high school students?
How have electronic music production technologies influenced the sound quality of contemporary music?
What is the correlation between punk music and substance abuse among Black-American males?
How does background music affect learning and information retention in children?

Choosing the Right Music Research Topic

Your research topic is the foundation on which every other aspect of your study is built. So, you must select a music research topic that gives you room to adequately explore intriguing hypotheses and, if possible, proffer practically applicable solutions.

Also, if you seek to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Music , you must be prepared to conduct research during your study. Choosing the right music research topic is the first step in guaranteeing good grades and delivering relevant, high-quality contributions in this constantly expanding field.

Music Research Topics FAQ

A good music research topic should be between 10 to 12 words long. Long, wordy music essay topics are usually confusing. They can make it difficult for readers to understand the goal of your research. Avoid using lengthy phrases or vague terms that could confuse the reader.

Journal articles are the best place to find helpful resources for your music research. You can explore reputable, high-impact journal articles to see if any research has been done related to your chosen topic. Journal articles also help to provide data for comparison while carrying out your research.

Primary sources carry out their own research and cite their own data. In contrast, secondary sources report data obtained from a primary source. Although primary sources are regarded as more credible, you can include a good mixture of primary and secondary sources in your research.

The most common research methods for music research are qualitative, quantitative, descriptive, and analytical. Your research strategy is arguably the most crucial part of your study. You must learn different research methods to determine which one would be the perfect fit for your particular research question.

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Best 100 music research topics (just updated).

If you are reading this, you are probably looking for the best music research topics for your next essay. Truth be told, choosing the right topic is very important. It can make the difference between a B and an A, or even between an A and an A+. Unfortunately, choosing the best topics is not as simple as you think. Even though the internet is full of music research topics, most of them are plain and, quite frankly, boring.

Your professor wants more than this. Let’s see why you need the most interesting topics and where you can find them. Of course, you are free to use any of our 100 topics for free and even reword them as you see fit. Read on!

Choosing Good Music Research Topics

By now, you are probably wondering why everyone keeps telling you to come up with the best music topics. The truth is that there are many, many benefits to choosing an awesome topic. Here are just some of them, so you can get a better idea of the importance of a great idea:

Excellent music research paper topics show your professor that you really did your best to get a top grade.
A good topic is one that you know much about. It should be relatively easy to you to research it and to write about it.
An awesome topic will pique the interest of your professor and will keep him or her reading. You will often get bonus points for this.
Great topics make you stand out from your classmates. Your professor will notice you, and the grade will reflect this.

Where Can You Find Decent Music Topics?

Finding amazing music research topics is easier said than done. Yes, the Internet is full of websites that are offering ideas. There are even websites where you can buy bundles of topics. However, the music argumentative essay topics you will get from these websites are not of the highest quality. Most of them are actually quite boring. And remember, you classmates are probably searching for music history research paper topics on the same websites as you do. You want your research topics on music or book review topics to be original, so your professor can have a reason to award your paper some bonus points. The best place to get excellent music topics to write about is this page. The list of ideas is updated frequently, so you can get an original topic for free right now.

Music History Research Topics

Are you looking for the most interesting music history research topics? If you do, just pick one from our list for free:

How did the Catholic church influence Renaissance music?
Social issues described in Baroque-period music.
Analyze the evolution of Romantic-era music.
How did the Baroque Opera come to be?
Who invented Medieval music and when?
Why has western music almost disappear in the last 10 years?
Analyze the evolution of music in the Classical era.
Analyzing violin music performance during the Romantic Era.

Music Argument Topics

Are you looking to find an argument and support it? Then you absolutely need to check out our exceptional list of music argument topics:

Music today is better than music in the 90s.
The most lucrative career for a musician.
Music helps you memorize faster.
The most popular kind of metal music.
The evolution of blues songs over the last 30 years.
Music helps children develop faster.
Hip-hop is a misunderstood music genre.
Jazz music is not obsolete.

Music Theory Topics

Interested in writing about music theory? Our amazing academic writers have put together a list of music theory topics for you:

Analyze the most important aspects of modern music.
Classical music has specific medical applications.
Hidden symbols in Renaissance-period music.
The unique features of Baroque-age music.
Analyze the evolution of music in the Baroque era.
The best music compositors in the Romantic era.
Remarkable characteristics of Romantic-age songs.
The peculiarities of Asian modern music.

Music Industry Topics

Writing about the music industry can be fun and entertaining. Your professor will love it. Pick one of our music industry topics and start writing:

What do you associate rock music with and why?
Should the music industry pay songwriters more?
How does illegal pirating of songs affect the music industry?
Do music sharing sites help new artists become famous.
Analyze the evolution of music labels in the US.
What differentiates a music label from all others?
Music talent shows and their effects on a musician’s career.
The difficulties of signing a contract with a major music label in the US.

Research Paper Topics on Music for High School

Are you a high school student? In this case, you will need our research paper topics on music for high school:

The best compositors of the Baroque Era.
What differentiates modern music from classical music?
Notable women in classical music.
Analyze the evolution of music in the Modern age.
How was Beethoven’s music influenced by his loss of hearing?
How would our world be without music?
Does music cause negative effects on US teens?

Music Thesis Topics

Writing a thesis about music is not easy. In fact, it can be one of the most difficult projects in your academic career. Start right now by choosing one of the best music thesis topics:

What made a musician stand out in the Baroque Age?
The most notable musical experiments in the Classical age.
Comparing Renaissance and Medieval music styles.
Analyze the evolution of music in the Renaissance age.
How did royalty in the UK benefit from music in the Renaissance era?
Discuss a folk song from the Renaissance age.
Differences between Asian and European classical music.

Music Controversial Topics

Music, like most other disciplines, has plenty of controversial topics you can talk about. Don’t waste any time and pick one of these music controversial topics:

Does digital music cut the profits of musicians?
Who owns the intellectual property to a song?
The difficulties of getting songwriting credit.
Illegal downloads are changing the music industry.
Should music education still be included in the curriculum?
Analyze medieval liturgical music.
Music should be free for everyone to download and use.

Persuasive Speech Topics About Music

Are you required the write a persuasive speech about music? If you are, you may need a bit of help. Pick one of these persuasive speech topics about music (updated for 2023):

Music has a significant effect on advertising.
The changes rap music has brought to the US culture.
Indie is a term that should not apply to music.
Metal music should be banned from the US.
Does listening to music have a great influence on mental health?
The amazing evolution of music in the Medieval age.
People should be free to listen to the music they like for free.
The fashion industry wouldn’t be where it is today without music.

Easy Topics About Music

Perhaps you don’t want to spend 5 or 6 hours writing the research paper . You need an easier topic. Choose one of these easy topics about music and write the essay fast:

How can one become a symbol of modern music?
My favorite singer today.
Which musician from the past would you bring back to life and why?
Do politics influence modern music?
Compare and contrast two music genres.
Analyze the evolution of music in the modern age in the United States.
The side effects of turning the volume too loud.
How is classical music used in Disney movies?

Music Education Research Topics

Are you interested in talking about music education? Perhaps you’ll have some suggestions to make after you’ve done the research. Just choose one of the music education research topics below:

Can E-Learning be applied to music education?
Can music teachers offer distance learning services?
The advantages and disadvantages of Zoom music lessons.
Why are music worksheets so important for high school students?
How did the Internet change music education?
Why are modern music studies so important?
Should we learn more about Asian music in school?
How can students learn music while respecting COVID19 measures?

Highly Interesting Music Topics

We know you want a top grade on your next music research paper. We advise you to select one of these highly interesting music topics and surprise your professor:

How did pop music came to existence and why?
Analyze the history of hip-hop music.
Compare metal music with classical music.
Why is rock music so popular in the United Kingdom?
Which song would best present our species to aliens?
Compare and contrast Korean and Chinese music.
Analyze the popular themes of Japanese music.
The stunning rise of K-pop bands.

Informative Speech Topics About Music

It’s difficult to find good informative speech topics about music these days. If you want to stand out from the rest of your classmates, choose one of our topics:

Discuss the ideas presented in romantic music.
What do people who appreciate classic music have in common?
Analyze the most popular Bach music.
Describe the role of market music in the Baroque era.
Analyze the evolution of European music.
Ways to make classical music popular with teens in the UK.
Discuss the most popular musical instrument in the Classical age.

Music Essay Topics for College

Are you a college student? If you want an A+ on your next research paper, use one of these music essay topics for college students:

Does modern music contain medieval themes?
Analyze a song from the Renaissance age.
Why is blues music so important for our culture?
Who invented the blues genre and when?
Analyze the evolution of American folk music.
Most popular names in Baroque-age songs.
Modern interpretations of medieval songs.
Listening to blues music can lead to depression.

Need some more music history paper topics? Or perhaps you need a list of music related research topics to choose from for your thesis. Our best paper writer can help you in no time. Get in touch with us and we guarantee that we will find the perfect music topic for your needs. You will be well on your way to getting the A+ you need. Give us a try and get an amazing research topic on music in 10 minutes or less!

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Home » 500+ Music Research Topics

500+ Music Research Topics

Music is a universal language that has the power to evoke emotions, bring people together, and express complex ideas and feelings. As a result, it has been the subject of extensive research and analysis across a wide range of fields, from psychology and neuroscience to sociology and cultural studies. Whether you are a music student, researcher , or simply a curious enthusiast, there are countless fascinating and important topics to explore within the realm of music research. From the history and evolution of different musical genres to the impact of music on human behavior and cognition, the possibilities for investigation and discovery are virtually endless. In this post, we will highlight some of the most interesting and relevant music research topics that you can explore in your own studies or simply as a way to deepen your appreciation and understanding of this rich and diverse art form.

Music Research Topics

Music Research Topics are as follows:

The impact of music on memory retention.
The evolution of hip-hop music and its influence on popular culture.
The relationship between music and emotions.
The role of music in religious and spiritual practices.
The effects of music on mental health.
The impact of music on athletic performance.
The role of music in therapy and rehabilitation.
The evolution of classical music through the ages.
The impact of technology on music creation and distribution.
The relationship between music and language acquisition.
The cultural significance of music in different parts of the world.
The influence of popular music on politics and social issues.
The impact of music on academic performance.
The role of music in film and television.
The use of music in advertising and marketing.
The psychology of musical preferences.
The effects of music on sleep patterns and quality.
The impact of music on creativity and productivity.
The influence of music on fashion and style.
The impact of music education on childhood development.
The role of music in memory recall and nostalgia.
The effects of music on physical health.
The relationship between music and brain development.
The impact of music on the immune system.
The influence of music on social behavior.
The evolution of jazz music and its impact on society.
The role of music in cultural preservation and identity.
The effects of music on stress levels and anxiety.
The relationship between music and social movements.
The impact of music on language learning and pronunciation.
The effects of music on learning and cognition.
The influence of music on political ideologies and movements.
The impact of music on academic achievement.
The relationship between music and cultural assimilation.
The role of music in international diplomacy.
The effects of music on physical performance and endurance.
The impact of music on memory consolidation and recall.
The influence of music on fashion trends and subcultures.
The role of music in socialization and identity formation.
The effects of music on perception and attention.
The impact of music on decision making and judgment.
The relationship between music and romantic attraction.
The role of music in social justice movements.
The effects of music on motor skills and coordination.
The influence of music on cultural exchange and globalization.
The impact of music on language and cultural barriers.
The relationship between music and cultural appropriation.
The role of music in community building and activism.
The effects of music on motivation and goal setting.
The influence of music on fashion advertising and marketing.
The impact of music on social inequality and discrimination.
The relationship between music and cultural hegemony.
The role of music in political propaganda and manipulation.
The effects of music on physical therapy and rehabilitation.
The influence of music on cultural diplomacy and international relations.
The impact of music on the environment and sustainability.
The relationship between music and social hierarchies.
The role of music in cultural exchange and intercultural communication.
The effects of music on creative thinking and problem solving.
The influence of music on consumer behavior and product preferences.
The impact of music on social mobility and economic inequality.
The relationship between music and cultural diversity.
The role of music in intergenerational communication and conflict resolution.
The effects of music on mood and emotional regulation.
The influence of music on cultural authenticity and representation.
The impact of music on memory in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
The impact of music on recovery and rehabilitation in individuals with physical injuries.
The role of music in promoting cultural exchange and understanding in international education.
The role of music in promoting cultural sensitivity and understanding in international relations.
The role of music in promoting cultural sensitivity and understanding in international human rights.
The effects of music on cognitive functioning and mental health in individuals with ADHD.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the food and beverage industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-sexual orientations.
The impact of music on job satisfaction and retention in the finance industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural diversity and understanding in international development.
The effects of music on emotional regulation and depression in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the transportation industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-abilities.
The impact of music on academic performance and motivation in college students.
The role of music in promoting cross-cultural understanding and acceptance in international cooperation.
The effects of music on social skills and behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the entertainment industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-language backgrounds.
The impact of music on creativity and innovation in the tech startup industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural sensitivity and understanding in international peacekeeping.
The effects of music on cognitive functioning and mental health in individuals with traumatic brain injury.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the travel industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-socioeconomic backgrounds.
The impact of music on job satisfaction and productivity in the education industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural diversity and understanding in international cooperation.
The effects of music on emotional regulation and anxiety in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the home appliance industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-culture backgrounds.
The impact of music on academic performance and motivation in graduate students.
The role of music in promoting cross-cultural understanding and acceptance in international diplomacy.
The effects of music on social skills and behavior in individuals with attention deficit disorder.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the construction industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-spiritual backgrounds.
The impact of music on creativity and productivity in the healthcare industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural sensitivity and understanding in international justice.
The effects of music on cognitive functioning and mental health in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the hospitality industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-political backgrounds.
The impact of music on job satisfaction and retention in the automotive industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural diversity and understanding in international diplomacy.
The effects of music on emotional regulation and depression in individuals with major depressive disorder.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the telecommunications industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-ethnic and racial backgrounds.
The impact of music on academic performance and motivation in high school students with disabilities.
The role of music in promoting cross-cultural understanding and acceptance in international trade.
The effects of music on social skills and behavior in individuals with borderline personality disorder.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the fashion industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-heritage backgrounds.
The effects of music on cognitive functioning and mental health in individuals with schizophrenia.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the technology industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-race identities.
The impact of music on job satisfaction and retention in the hospitality industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural diversity and understanding in global development.
The effects of music on emotional regulation and anxiety in individuals with social phobia.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the toy industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-faith backgrounds.
The impact of music on academic performance and motivation in high school students.
The effects of music on social skills and behavior in individuals with oppositional defiant disorder.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the beauty industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-ethnicity backgrounds.
The impact of music on creativity and productivity in the fashion industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural sensitivity and understanding in international aid.
The effects of music on cognitive functioning and mental health in individuals with dementia.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the fitness industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-gender identities.
The impact of music on job satisfaction and productivity in the technology industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural diversity and understanding in international tourism.
The effects of music on emotional regulation and depression in individuals with anxiety disorders.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the pet industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-education backgrounds.
The impact of music on academic performance and motivation in middle school students.
The effects of music on social skills and behavior in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the home decor industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-sex identities.
The impact of music on creativity and innovation in the gaming industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural sensitivity and understanding in international conflict resolution.
The effects of music on cognitive functioning and mental health in individuals with bipolar disorder.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the sports industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-nationality and mixed-linguistic backgrounds.
The impact of music on job satisfaction and retention in the retail industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural diversity and understanding in global governance.
The effects of music on emotional regulation and anxiety in individuals with panic disorder.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the electronics industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-citizenship backgrounds.
The impact of music on academic performance and motivation in elementary school students.
The role of music in promoting cross-cultural understanding and acceptance in international security.
The effects of music on social skills and behavior in individuals with conduct disorder.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the agriculture industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-religious backgrounds.
The effects of music on cognitive functioning and mental health in individuals with traumatic brain injuries.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with disability identities.
The role of music in promoting cross-cultural understanding and acceptance in the healthcare industry.
The effects of music on emotional regulation and anxiety in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with LGBTQ+ identities.
The impact of music on job satisfaction and productivity in the gig economy.
The role of music in promoting cultural sensitivity and understanding in education policy.
The effects of music on social skills and behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-age identities.
The impact of music on creativity and innovation in the advertising industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural diversity and understanding in urban planning.
The effects of music on cognitive functioning and mental health in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the food industry.
The impact of music on job satisfaction and retention in the nonprofit sector.
The role of music in promoting cultural understanding and acceptance in international business.
The effects of music on emotional regulation and depression in individuals with chronic pain.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the gaming industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-sexual orientation identities.
The role of music in promoting cross-cultural communication and understanding in foreign policy.
The effects of music on social skills and behavior in individuals with social anxiety disorder.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the craft industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-disability identities.
The impact of music on creativity and productivity in the media industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural sensitivity and understanding in corporate social responsibility.
The effects of music on cognitive functioning and mental health in individuals with substance use disorders.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the automotive industry.
The impact of music on job satisfaction and productivity in the education sector.
The role of music in promoting cultural diversity and understanding in international law.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the wellness industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-nationality backgrounds.
The impact of music on academic performance and motivation in adult learners.
The role of music in promoting cultural understanding and acceptance in global governance.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the furniture industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-generational backgrounds.
The impact of music on creativity and innovation in the film industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural integration and social cohesion in diverse communities.
The effects of music on cognitive functioning and mental health in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the tech industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in second-generation immigrants.
The role of music in promoting cross-cultural communication and understanding in diplomacy.
The effects of music on emotional regulation and self-esteem in individuals with eating disorders.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the publishing industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in biracial and multiracial families.
The impact of music on creativity and innovation in the workplace.
The role of music in promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity in the criminal justice system.
The effects of music on social skills and behavior in individuals with schizophrenia.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with refugee backgrounds.
The role of music in promoting cultural understanding and acceptance in global marketing.
The effects of music on emotional regulation and anxiety in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed religious backgrounds.
The impact of music on academic achievement and retention in community college students.
The role of music in promoting cultural exchange and understanding in international development.
The effects of music on social skills and behavior in individuals with bipolar disorder.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the luxury goods industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with immigrant parents.
The impact of music on creativity and productivity in the tech industry.
The role of music in promoting cultural sensitivity and understanding in journalism.
The effects of music on emotional regulation and depression in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the wine industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with non-binary gender identities.
The impact of music on job satisfaction and productivity in remote workers.
The role of music in promoting cultural diversity and understanding in international relations.
The role of music in promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity in diplomacy.
The effects of music on emotional regulation and self-esteem in individuals with body dysmorphia.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with immigrant grandparents.
The role of music in promoting cultural understanding and acceptance in global advertising.
The effects of music on social skills and behavior in individuals with borderline intellectual functioning.
The relationship between music and cultural representation in the fragrance industry.
The influence of music on cultural identity and mental health in individuals with mixed-citizenship status.
The impact of music on creativity and productivity in the creative industries
The relationship between music and social cohesion in diverse communities.
The role of music in social justice movements and protests.
The effects of music on pain management and perception.
The influence of music on cultural hybridity and globalization.
The impact of music on social identity and self-esteem.
The relationship between music and cultural imperialism.
The role of music in therapeutic settings for children and adolescents.
The effects of music on language development in bilingual children.
The influence of music on cultural representation in the media.
The impact of music on interpersonal relationships and communication.
The relationship between music and cultural hegemony in the digital age.
The role of music in community-based initiatives for social change.
The effects of music on mental health in marginalized communities.
The influence of music on cultural identity and self-expression.
The impact of music on academic engagement and success in at-risk students.
The relationship between music and cultural appropriation in popular culture.
The role of music in cultural diplomacy and international relations in the 21st century.
The effects of music on cognitive processing in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The influence of music on cultural hybridity and transnationalism.
The impact of music on social justice advocacy and awareness-raising.
The relationship between music and cultural resistance in marginalized communities.
The role of music in the negotiation of cultural identities in the diaspora.
The effects of music on language processing and learning in second language acquisition.
The influence of music on cultural exchange and intercultural communication in the digital age.
The impact of music on academic achievement in students with disabilities.
The relationship between music and cultural hegemony in the music industry.
The role of music in the socialization and empowerment of girls and women.
The effects of music on physical health in individuals with chronic pain.
The influence of music on cultural authenticity and representation in the tourism industry.
The impact of music on the construction of gender and sexuality in popular culture.
The relationship between music and cultural appropriation in the fashion industry.
The role of music in promoting cross-cultural understanding and empathy.

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206 Best Music Research Topics That Rock The Stage

Music is one of the greatest sensations in human life. If you are writing a music research paper, you have to make sure that the topic is eye-catching. Most importantly, it should move and make you dance yourself. The topic that you are not interested in will not only make you weary, but the results would be unsatisfying too. That is why our writers have found music research paper topics for you to save the day. We love music very much, and so our team offers an Academic paper writing service , so you can trust word.

Table of Contents

Music Research Topics: History, Technical Music, Contemporary And More

Although our writers mainly offer research paper writing services , they did not hesitate for a bit when we asked them to come up with some music research topics for you. You can use any of these 206 topics for free and modify them to fit your needs and match your taste. Read on!

Music History Research Topics

Use of songwriting in relation to the political and social situations in Nazi Germany and the French Revolution
Musical Education between two centuries
Evolution in the definition of music over the centuries
Birth of Music in Mesopotamia
Impact of Arab-Andalusian music on renaissance
Folklore bands of wind music, a cultural manifestation of the people and for the people
Harmonic implications studied by Pythagoras
Music from Ancient Greek
Importance of Music in Greek Mythology
Song of the Sirens in the evolution of music
Greece, music, poetry, and dance
Athens was a center of musical poets in BC era
Classical Greek Style Music
Yanni: A Musician that fuses Modern and Classical Greek Music into one
Role of Music in Greek Tragedy
Famous musical-dramatic pieces
Heroic poets: Arab poets that formed the bases of European music
Performances in amphitheatres by singers-actors-dancers
Classical musician considered himself more of a performer than an author
Ritual dance with kettledrums around the fire: Musical Traditions of Pagan cultures
Classification of primitive musical instruments
Music in China
Music in Mayan Tradition
Apache and Native American Music
How Africans and Columbians formed the modern American music
The musical theory and the instruments used in Japan
Bagaki for Japanese Emperor ceremonies
Evolution of Indian Music
Music in the Mughal Empire
Anarkali: A musical myth with a royal background
Christian Music, Hymns and Choirs

Read More: Psychology Research Paper Topics

Technical Music research topics

Similarity measures, including rhythmic and melodic similarity.
Phylogenetic analysis of music.
National Center for Music Diffusion
Mathematical measures of rhythmic complexity and syncopation
Musical transformations of rhythm and melody
Automatic analysis of traditional music, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and African music
The mathematical theory of rhythm
Musical constructivism
Model models (MM) and counter models (CM)
The role of sound design in video games and its application to contemporary independent works
Mathematical and computational modeling of musical phenomena (grouping, phrasing, tension, etc.)
A mathematical theory of tuning and temperament systems
Teaching mathematics through art
Music visualization
History of Modern Columbian Music
Acoustic-instrumental composition, electroacoustic and sound art
Interpretation and musical investigation
sound production
Transcription and music editing
Recovery of musical heritage
Studies of music, literature, culture, and colonial anthropology
Music by European composers of the 16th century (Renaissance)
Education and technology in educational scenarios of musical training

Music Argument Topics

Visual Media Music Studio
Music as an important expression in the history of the world
Conversations about music, culture, and identity
The architectural space as a link between music and the citizen
Music Schools for children and young people with limited resources
Role of practice and need for devotion in learning and acing the musical skills

Contemporary Music research topics

Impact of Coke Studio: From Pakistan to take over the world
Effects of Modern Music on Youth
Musical Martyrs: Freddie Mercury, Amy Winehouse, Elvis Presley
Music of Hans Zimmer
Production and exhibition of contemporary music
Entertainment and music centres
Non-formal music schools
Music and education today
Contemporary Mexican music
Satanism movement in modern music
Western musical history and “modern” music
Journey of Music: From the Medieval Family to the Modern Family
Importance of Opera in the modern age
Evolution of music over time: From orchestra to electric
Self-management and promotion of independent music
Music of electric musicians: Alan Walker, Serhat Durmus, Chain Smokers
Modern Music, A Wonderful Expression
The idiomatic reality of the English language
Modern Music in the United States
Current music pedagogy
Music education in the twentieth century

Classic Music Research Topics

Classic music of South Asia
Classic music of Africa
Classic Arab music, the influence of Soad, Um Kalthum
What makes classic music so important and why do we still have to reserve it?
Music of Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms
Use of classic music in the film
Beethoven: How he lived, composed and died
Life and music of Mozart
Classical music by Afro-American women
Music in classical films
Greatest compositions of 19-20th centuries
Style and compositions of Einaudi
Music during the classical period
Classical Music Criticism

African music research topics

The Effects of Slave Music on American History and African-American Music
The use of Afro-Caribbean rhythms for the construction of jazz musical moments
African folk music of Cuba
History of African-American Popular Music
African diversity in music
The study of the oral and musical traditions of the Afro-Mexicans
Studies of African Musical History and Its relationship with modern society
South African influences on American music
African music in Mali
African music: South Africa
Music of the Middle East and North Africa

Pop Culture Music Research Topics

The pedagogical models of popular music
Music throughout the decades of musicals
Brad Paisley and Country Music
The Effects of Music on the popular culture
Hip-hop/rap music: One of the most popular musical genres
The influence of rap music on teenagers
Irish Music: Music and Touch Other Irish Dance Music

Music Theory Topics

Genre and music preferences
The effect of instrumental music on word recall memory
Sample Music and Wellness
The music industry
The Theme of Death in a Musical
The Effects of Globalization on MusicMusic psychology research topics
The potential of music therapy to develop soft skills at the organizational level
Listening to music as a way to relieve stress for teens
The impact of theatricality within contemporary popular music concerts of the psychedelic, glam, and progressive rock genre
Trying music as therapy
How music can help students with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder)
How can music help reduce work stress and maintain a healthy work environment
Musical manifestations of man consist of the externalization

Music Education Research Topics

New pragmatism in music education
Importance and effects of musical education
Philosophy of Music Education
Music, a tool to educate
Competencies in music education
Music as a strategy to encourage children’s effective learning
Interconnection between music and education
Philosophy of musical education

Read More: High School Research Paper Topics

Persuasive Speech Topics About Music

The music is a true reflection of the essay of American society
Music and Its Effects on Society
Matter Of Metal Music
Beethoven’s Twelfth Symphony: the second movement of the symphonic essay
Messages in music
The benefits of music trial
Does music affect blood pressure?
Music Industry Research: An Epic Battle With Youtube
Entertainment and education Via music
Whitman’s music as a means of expression
Music and its Effect on the World
Music: Essay on Music and Learning Disabilities

Read More: Political Science Research Topics

Music Controversial Topics

Whether or not profanations in music corrupt our youth
Drugs and rock and roll
Piracy and the music industry
Music censorship is a violation of freedom of expression
Music censorship
The use and overuse of the music

Read More: Criminal Justice Research Paper Topics

Music Industry Topics

Freedom of expression and rap music
Censorship in the music industry
Influence of music on culture
Analysis of Iranian film music
Analysis of the Turkish Music Industry
Analysis of the South Asian Music Industry
Coke Studio Making and Global Impact
The digital revolution: how technology changed the workflow of music composers for media
Video music as matter in motion
Acoustic and interpretive characteristics of the instruments
The study of musical composition based on pictorial works
Musical prosody of the interpretation

Arab Music Research Paper Topic

Arab music industry: Evolution after colonialism
Music of Middle
Umm Kulthum: Effects on global music
How the Arab music still impacts Asian and American Music
Effects of Arab music in popular French music
Turkish and Arab Music: A Beautiful cultural fusion
Arab Heroic Poets of Andalus and how they formed modern European music
Revival of Arab music through electrical genre

Music Thesis Topics

Film Industry Classical Music
Finding Meaning in a Musical
Music and its effect on my interpretation
How music can interact with politics
Musical phrases and the modal centres of interest of the melody
Effect of ambient music on sleep trials
Main characteristics of the musical organization
Study Of Cadences And Other Harmonic Processes In The Light Of Consonance And Dissonance Theories
Theoretical-experimental Study Of Percussion, Wind And String Instruments
Recognition Of The Instruments Of The Orchestra
Compositive Algorithms Using Unconventional Musical Magnitudes
Development Of A Microtonal Harmony As A Generalization Of The Common Practice Period
Mechanism related to the recognition of specific emotions in music
Musical emotion (emotion induction)

Read More: Biology Research Paper Topics

High School Research Paper Topics on Music

Correlation Between Personality and Musical Preferences Essay
Effects of Rock Music on Teenagers
Does popular music stay popular?
The effect of music on the interpretation of a musical
Musical activities in a spiral of development
Adolescents in the understanding of contemporary processes of music
Musical activities in the content system
Music and the value of responsibility
Presentation of musical fragments, Performance of live or recorded musical instruments
Life stories of composers and musical personalities such as Mozart and Beethoven
Presentation of music related to tastes and socio-educational reality
Exhibition of musical fragments and execution of instruments
Presentation of different types of music, the performance of musical instruments live or recorded
Experience composing music, with lyrics, instrumental or with sounds from the environment, what musical genre or type of sound production does it represent?
The practice of the studied musical instruments, record the meanings that guide your performance and preparation as a student and for life
Why is compliance with the vocal techniques of singing a duty that must be assumed consciously?
Does all music express sound? Does every sound express a genre or type of music?
Practice sound emission and tuning techniques
Why is it important to make movements according to the type of music you listen to?

Music is one of the greatest inventions of the human race. All good music makes your heart beat a little faster and soothes your mind into peace. It has been evolving since the dawn of civilization, 5000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Whatever research you make about it, just make sure that it touches your heart.

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200 Best Music Research Paper Topics For Students

Music research topics are an excellent opportunity to trace the history of the development of individual genres or entire eras. You can create an essay or research paper with an emphasis on certain stylistic features, or delve deeper into the technical aspects of album making. Also, the research topics in music allow you to learn more about popular composers, musicians, and individual bands. You can find out the history of creating certain songs or finding out the nuances of the breakup of groups.

While music research paper topics seem easy, it still requires a good outline and reliable sources to gather information. The life of many musicians is very busy, so certain topics for music research papers may require a more thorough analysis. For example, you will need to research the biography and all creation stages of famous music industry personalities.

Any research topic about music should be analyzed, and only verified facts added. You should also avoid using emotional coloring and bias. And don't forget about formatting. Any interesting music topics require clear structuring into paragraphs, lists, and subheadings.

By popular genres & styles

Individual styles are especially appreciated in research paper topics on music. You can choose the genre or group that interests you. This will allow you to get additional motivation and focus more on facts. The main challenge in this case is to find authoritative sources.

The impact of rock and roll on the modern music industry.
The basic concepts of creating musical songs.
Rock performers and their popularity in society.
Reasons for the negative attitude towards the rock vocalist.
Rock musicians and problems with the law.
The nuances of alcohol addiction of rock musicians.
The main features of creating rock songs.
Musical agitation as the main motive of rock songs.
The main reasons for making rock songs.
Symbiosis of rock and classical music.
Rock performers and popular musicians.
The analysis of the creative personality on the example of Kurt Cobain.
The modern musical trend in culture.
Top 10 most popular metal groups.
Why has metal music become so popular?
The mix of traditional music and heavy metal.
Analysis of lyrical constructions of metal performers.
The symbiosis of musical instruments in metal music.
The analysis of seventh chords in the construction of metal songs.
The influence of metal on other genres.
The symbiosis of metal and pop music.
The influence of metal vocalists on American culture.
The symbiosis of genres as the reason for the creation of metal.
The modern icons of the metal scene.
The best metal bands in the last thirty years.
The analysis of the dynamics of the popularity of metal bands.
The modern concerts on the example of metal bands
Female vocalists in pop music.
The reason for the creation of numerous female musical groups.
Pop music as a tuning fork of public morality.
Why is pop music degrading?
How can pop music be used to improve college grades?
The nuances of using pop music in contemporary American culture.
How can pop music be used to improve mood?
The symbiosis of pop music and rap culture.
How does contemporary pop music affect young people?
The study of pop music in the context of the social culture of Harlem.
The classic examples of pop artists.
Madonna: the most popular popes of personalities.
The analysis of the popularity of Britney Spears.
Pop icons of the past decade.
Hip-hop as the basis of the movement for social equality.
The origins of hip-hop and the reasons for its popularization.
How does hip-hop affect contemporary pop artists?
The analysis of hip-hop performers on the example of the best vocalists of the decade.
How does hip-hop allow athletes to train?
Modern hip-hop and new musical trends.
The symbiosis of hip-hop and metal music.
How does hip-hop motivate people for sporting achievements?
The analysis of hip-hop performers on the example of female vocalists.
Modern hip-hop and its impact on youth.
The main aspects of the integration of hip-hop music in the modern community.
All technical aspects of creating hip-hop music.
The classic approach to the formation of hip-hop motives.
The analysis of the structure of hip-hop songs.
The best hip-hop artists of the last decade.
The stages of the formation of jazz as a separate musical genre.
Why is jazz so popular these days?
The nuances of studying jazz musical combinations.
How Jess influences the structuring of student learning.
The nuances of jazz performers in modern America.
The best American jazz performers.
Jazz as the most structured musical theory.
How can you quickly learn to create jazz compositions?
The influence of jazz on the cultural and political elite of the United States.
Can jazz replace other musical styles?
Jazz fusion as an example of musical prowess.
The technical aspects of creating a pentatonic scale in a jazz style.
The selection of jazz musicians.
The development of jazz in the United States.
The main reasons for the popularization of jazz in modern society.
Blues and its influence on the development of the music industry.
The symbiosis of blues and jazz.
Can the Blues be compared to classical music?
How do contemporary artists use the Blues in pop music?
Historical context creation of blues compositions.
How does the Blues affect rock music?
Can the Blues help students learn?
How blues musicians are developing in the USA.
Can blues be used as a springboard for classical music production?
The best US blues artists of the last 20 years.
Blues performers of the last ten years.
The influence of the blues on the formation of other genres.
The analysis of the statistical popularity of the blues.
The critical aspects when creating Blues compositions.
The selection of blues parties when creating music.
The influence of classical music on pop culture.
The classical music and the best composers of the last century.
Beethoven and his best works.
How did Mozart influence classical music?
Is the symbiosis of jazz and classical music possible?
The structure of making classical music.
The stages of the formation of classical music in modern society.
Can you replace pop culture with classical music?
How does classical music affect the psychological state of people?
The classical music and symbiosis with opera.
The basic concept of the analysis of classical music.
A technical comparison of the mastery of classical composers.
The choice of classical music for the mood.
The classical music and its influence on rock culture.
The main technical aspects of creating a score.

The region is important for those looking for musical topics for research paper. Most genres of European music and some information about composers are open to general use. If your research topic on music is aimed at analyzing the Arab countries, then you will need more time looking for reliable information. The fact is that not all Muslim archives are in the public domain.

Western music

The features of musical motives of Western music.
The history of Western music with real examples.
How has Western music changed over the past two hundred years?
Is it possible to combine Western music with European motives?
The features of the use of traditional Western musical instruments.
How do Western countries use music for meditation?
Western music in the context of modern society.
The role of Western music in the life of native people.
How melodic is oriental music?
The stages of the formation of Western music in American culture.

European music

European music and modern trends.
British pop bands and their worldwide popularity.
How popular are German pop bands in the USA?
European music and national musical instruments.
How does European music affect well-being?
The analysis of European music with specific examples.
Top 10 of the greatest European musical groups.
The analysis of European music on the example of instrumental groups.
The best pop music performers in Europe.
How does pop music influence the development of culture?

Asian music

Asian music: the example of ethnic trends.
The influence of Asian music on world culture.
The main musical instruments of Asia.
Can you compare Asian music with European motives?
How has Asian music changed over the past hundred years?
The nuances of creating Asian music.
How does Asian music influence contemporary cinema?
The best Asian performers.
Top 10 Asian vocalists who have conquered the whole world.
Do national instruments influence the creation of Asian music?

By history periods

You can use music appreciation research paper topics to analyse a specific period in history. Baroque, Renaissance and other eras are especially relevant for research as they allow you to see the history of the development of music. You can concentrate on a specific time period and the most famous composers.

Medieval music and its influence on the Crusades.
The major trends in the medieval music industry.
The influence of kings on the creation of medieval music.
The main musical instruments in medieval Europe.
Musical instruments in Central Asia during the Middle Ages.
What kind of music was popular in the Middle Ages.
How difficult was the life of a musician in the Middle Ages?
The analysis of medieval music on modern examples.
How has contemporary music influenced pop culture?
Historical aspects of the creation of medieval music.
The influence of medieval music and culture.
The rhythmic pattern of medieval music.
The medieval music during the feast.
The influence of medieval music on classical music.
The medieval music channel and musical comparison.

Renaissance

The dawn of musical culture during the Renaissance.
The analysis of Renaissance music with specific examples.
How has Renaissance music influenced contemporary pop culture?
The analysis of Renaissance music as a constructive masterpiece.
The nuances of Renaissance music and, most importantly, musical instruments.
How difficult is it to reproduce Renaissance music in today's environment?
The analysis of structural compositions of the Renaissance.
Renaissance music as a tuning fork of public morality.
How has music changed since the Renaissance?
Can Renaissance music be used to create a modern instrumental ensemble?

Baroque Age (XVI-XVIII)

The influence of politicians on the formation of music during the Baroque period.
How has Baroque influenced contemporary instrumental music?
The nuances of musical constructions during the Baroque period.
How has the baroque influenced modern instruments?
The nuances of the Baroque in the context of the complexity of musical compositions.
The main effect of the Baroque in contemporary music.
The historical aspects of the creation of the Baroque as a separate genre of music.
The influence of the Baroque on the creation of contemporary musical groups.
The analysis of the structure and musical motives of Baroque in detail.
Baroque in contemporary music.
The nuances of creating songs in the Baroque style.

Classical Age (XVIII-XIV)

The Classical Age of music in modern society.
How did the Classical Age influence the formation of musical trends?
The general concept of the Classical Age in instrumental music.
The nuances of creating music based on the Classical Age.
How did the Classical Age influence the creation of pop culture?
The theory of creating musical compositions on the example of the Classical Age.
The general factors of the Classical Age in instrumental music.
The main trends and popular instruments of the Classical Age.
The main musical compositions of the 14th century.
The main factors in the creation of musical compositions in the 13th century.

Romantic Era (XIV-XX)

The Romantic Era and its impact on contemporary music.
The main principles of structuring music into the Romantic Era.
Features of creating instrumental compositions in the Romantic Era.
The Romantic Era and modern music trends.
The main factors influencing the Romantic Era in the music industry.
Key figures in the music industry and their passion for the Romantic Era.
How did the Romantic Era form the modern style?
How has the Romantic Era influenced rhythmic music?
The Romantic Era in the music industry.
The main aspects of the formation of the Romantic Era in musical culture.
Making marching music in the Romantic Era.
Features of creating musical compositions.
The technical aspects that influenced modern romantic motives.

Modern Era (XX-XXI)

Jazz music as a phenomenon of the modern roar the influence of the modern era on instrumental music.
Technical aspects of hip-hop and Reggae.
How is contemporary classical music created?
Can modern music genres be combined to create something new?
Why is the modern music industry stagnating?
The aspects of contemporary music.
How does instrumental music affect culture?
Contemporary music and technical innovation.
How is contemporary music created?
The nuances of creating hip-hop albums.

How To Write On Music Related Research Topics

By choosing topics about music for an essay, you get the opportunity to prepare a detailed paper work with facts, genre nuances and detailed biographies of famous musicians. You need to stick to the formatting and your outline. Find reliable information for music history research topics and talk about the emergence of certain genres.

Music business research topics are especially important, as you need to consider not only the stylistic but also the commercial nuances of the bands. For example, you can prepare detailed data on annual music tours or album sales.

All music appreciation presentation topics require detailed factual focus, which can be difficult for many people. If you are not ready to do it yourself, then we can help you.

Our service will solve your problem with music research topics high school. We also guarantee that you will get a good grade. We will help you organize all the nuances so that your music history paper topics become a reason for pride and high scores.

An Inspiration List

popular music | Description, History, & Facts | Britannica
History of music
Music History from Primary Sources
Brief History of Music: An Introduction
How Music and Instruments Began

Harvard Library
Research Guides
Faculty of Arts & Sciences Libraries

Music Research Guide

What's New?
HOLLIS (Library catalog and more)
Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Bibliographies
Recordings and Videos
Scores and Sheet Music
Concert Reviews
Collected Works Editions
Dissertations and Theses
Music in Special Collections
Ethnomusicology Research @ Harvard
Jazz Research @ Harvard This link opens in a new window
American Indigenous Music
Senior Thesis Style Guide: Footnotes
Senior Thesis Style Guide: Bibliography
Multimedia Production Resources

Using the Music Library

Welcome! This guide is a curated list of resources related to music for on-campus and remote users. Bookmark this page for easy reference, and access all of Harvard Library’s online collections using your HarvardKey.

Would you like personalized help? Contact a music librarian by emailing us, using the chat button on this guide, or scheduling a research consultation. We're happy to meet virtually, or to set up an appointment to meet in person with current Harvard students, faculty, and staff.

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Start Your Research

No matter what your research topic is, here are five good places to start:

HOLLIS Harvard's main library catalogue: find books, articles, scores, recordings, and more in one search. Sign in with your Harvard Key to get more results.
Oxford Music Online Contains Grove Music Online: includes encyclopedia articles on musical genres, topics, and people.
Online Scores: Classical Scores Library Full, study, piano, and vocal scores of music from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, available for use online or printed/saved to PDF.
Online Audio: Naxos Music Library Classical, world, jazz, and folk recordings, with biographical information, opera synopses and libretti, glossaries and pronunciation guides.
Journal Articles: RILM Abstracts of Music Literature An international bibliography of music articles, collections, and books covering 10,000+ journals from the 1800s to the present. Especially good for finding book chapters and conference proceedings in addition to journal articles.
Harvard Library Bookmark Need access to an online article? Use this bookmarklet to get quick access to subscriptions purchased by Harvard Library.
Lean Library This browser extension provides quick and simple access to digital content purchased by Harvard Library.
Citation and Research Management Tools Organize your research, keep track of your references, and add citations and bibliographies to your papers. The Harvard Library supports Zotero, EndNote, and OverLeaf Pro+.
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Review Article
Published: 29 March 2022

Music in the brain

Peter Vuust ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4908-735X 1 ,
Ole A. Heggli ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7461-0309 1 ,
Karl J. Friston ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-7984-8909 2 &
Morten L. Kringelbach ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3908-6898 1 , 3 , 4

Nature Reviews Neuroscience volume 23 , pages 287–305 ( 2022 ) Cite this article

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Neuroscience

Music is ubiquitous across human cultures — as a source of affective and pleasurable experience, moving us both physically and emotionally — and learning to play music shapes both brain structure and brain function. Music processing in the brain — namely, the perception of melody, harmony and rhythm — has traditionally been studied as an auditory phenomenon using passive listening paradigms. However, when listening to music, we actively generate predictions about what is likely to happen next. This enactive aspect has led to a more comprehensive understanding of music processing involving brain structures implicated in action, emotion and learning. Here we review the cognitive neuroscience literature of music perception. We show that music perception, action, emotion and learning all rest on the human brain’s fundamental capacity for prediction — as formulated by the predictive coding of music model. This Review elucidates how this formulation of music perception and expertise in individuals can be extended to account for the dynamics and underlying brain mechanisms of collective music making. This in turn has important implications for human creativity as evinced by music improvisation. These recent advances shed new light on what makes music meaningful from a neuroscientific perspective.

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Acknowledgements

Funding was provided by The Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF117). The authors thank E. Altenmüller and D. Huron for comments on early versions of the manuscript.

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Patterns of pitched sounds unfolding over time, in accordance with cultural conventions and constraints.

The combination of multiple, simultaneously pitched sounds to form a chord, and subsequent chord progressions, a fundamental building block of Western music. The rules of harmony are the hierarchically organized expectations for chord progressions.

The structured arrangement of successive sound events over time, a primary parameter of musical structure. Rhythm perception is based on the perception of duration and grouping of these events and can be achieved even if sounds are not discrete, such as amplitude-modulated sounds.

Mathematically, the expected values or means of random variables.

The ability to extract statistical regularities from the world to learn about the environment.

In Western music, the organization of melody and harmony in a hierarchy of relations, often pointing towards a referential pitch (the tonal centre or the tonic).

A predictive framework governing the interpretation of regularly recurring patterns and accents in rhythm.

The output of a model generating outcomes from their causes. In predictive coding, the prediction is generated from expected states of the world and compared with observed outcomes to form a prediction error.

The subjective experience accompanying a strong expectation that a particular event will occur.

An enactive generalization of predictive coding that casts both action and perception as minimizing surprise or prediction error (active inference is considered a corollary of the free-energy principle).

A quantity used in predictive coding to denote the difference between an observation or point estimate and its predicted value. Predictive coding uses precision-weighted prediction errors to update expectations that generate predictions.

Expectations of musical events based on prior knowledge of regularities and patterns in musical sequences, such as melodies and chords.

Expectations of specific events or patterns in a familiar musical sequence.

Short-lived expectations that dynamically shift owing to the ongoing musical context, such as when a repeated musical phrase causes the listener to expect similar phrases as the work continues.

The inverse variance or negative entropy of a random variable. It corresponds to a second-order statistic (for example, a second-order moment) of the variable’s probability distribution or density. This can be contrasted with the mean or expectation, which constitutes a first-order statistic (for example, a first-order moment).

(MMN). A component of the auditory event-related potential recorded with electroencephalography or magnetoencephalography related to a change in different sound features such as pitch, timbre, location of the sound source, intensity and rhythm. It peaks approximately 110–250 ms after change onset and is typically recorded while participants’ attention is distracted from the stimulus, usually by watching a silent film or reading a book. The amplitude and latency of the MMN depends on the deviation magnitude, such that larger deviations in the same context yield larger and faster MMN responses.

(fMRI). A neuroimaging technique that images rapid changes in blood oxygenation levels in the brain.

In the realm of contemporary music, a persistently repeated pattern played by the rhythm section (usually drums, percussion, bass, guitar and/or piano). In music psychology, the pleasurable sensation of wanting to move.

The perceptual correlate of periodicity in sounds that allows their ordering on a frequency-related musical scale.

Also known as tone colour or tone quality, the perceived sound quality of a sound, including its spectral composition and its additional noise characteristics.

The pitch class containing all pitches separated by an integer number of octaves. Humans perceive a similarity between notes having the same chroma.

The contextual unexpectedness or surprise associated with an event.

In the Shannon sense, the expected surprise or information content (self-information). In other words, it is the uncertainty or unpredictability of a random variable (for example, an event in the future).

(MEG). A neuroimaging technique that measures the magnetic fields produced by naturally occurring electrical activity in the brain.

A very small electrical voltage generated in the brain structures in response to specific events or stimuli.

Psychologically, consonance is when two or more notes sound together with an absence of perceived roughness. Dissonance is the antonym of consonance. Western listeners consider intervals produced by frequency ratios such as 1:2 (octave), 3:2 (fifth) or 4:3 (fourth) as consonant. Dissonances are intervals produced by frequency ratios formed from numbers greater than 4.

Stereotypical patterns consisting of two or more chords that conclude a phrase, section or piece of music. They are often used to establish a sense of tonality.

(EEG). An electrophysiological method that measures electrical activity of the brain.

A method of analysing steady-state evoked potentials arising from stimulation or aspects of stimulation repeated at a fixed rate. An example of frequency tagging analysis is shown in Fig. 1c .

A shift of rhythmic emphasis from metrically strong accents to weak accents, a characteristic of multiple musical genres, such as funk, jazz and hip hop.

In Aristotelian ethics, refers to a life well lived or human flourishing, and in affective neuroscience, it is often used to describe meaningful pleasure.

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Vuust, P., Heggli, O.A., Friston, K.J. et al. Music in the brain. Nat Rev Neurosci 23 , 287–305 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-022-00578-5

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EDITORIAL article

Editorial: the impact of music on human development and well-being.

$\nGraham F. Welch$

1 Department of Culture, Communication and Media, University College London, London, United Kingdom
2 Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
3 School of Humanities and Communication Arts, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
4 Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Editorial on the Research Topic The Impact of Music on Human Development and Well-Being

Music is one of the most universal ways of expression and communication for humankind and is present in the everyday lives of people of all ages and from all cultures around the world ( Mehr et al., 2019 ). Hence, it seems more appropriate to talk about musics (plural) rather than in the singular ( Goble, 2015 ). Furthermore, research by anthropologists as well as ethnomusicologists suggests that music has been a characteristic of the human condition for millennia (cf. Blacking, 1976 ; Brown, 1999 ; Mithen, 2005 ; Dissanayake, 2012 ; Higham et al., 2012 ; Cross, 2016 ). Nevertheless, whilst the potential for musical behavior is a characteristic of all human beings, its realization is shaped by the environment and the experiences of individuals, often within groups ( North and Hargreaves, 2008 ; Welch and McPherson, 2018 ). Listening to music, singing, playing (informally, formally), creating (exploring, composing, improvising), whether individually and collectively, are common activities for the vast majority of people. Music represents an enjoyable activity in and of itself, but its influence goes beyond simple amusement.

These activities not only allow the expression of personal inner states and feelings, but also can bring about many positive effects in those who engage in them. There is an increasing body of empirical and experimental studies concerning the wider benefits of musical activity, and research in the sciences associated with music suggests that there are many dimensions of human life—including physical, social, educational, psychological (cognitive and emotional)—which can be affected positively by successful engagement in music ( Biasutti and Concina, 2013 ). Learning in and through music is something that can happen formally (such as part of structured lessons in school), as well as in other-than-formal situations, such as in the home with family and friends, often non-sequentially and not necessarily intentional, and where participation in music learning is voluntary, rather than mandated, such as in a community setting (cf. Green, 2002 ; Folkestad, 2006 ; Saether, 2016 ; Welch and McPherson, 2018 ).

Such benefits are evidenced across the lifespan, including early childhood ( Gerry et al., 2012 ; Williams et al., 2015 ; Linnavalli et al., 2018 ), adolescence ( McFerran et al., 2018 ), and older adulthood ( Lindblad and de Boise, 2020 ). Within these lifespan perspectives, research into music's contribution to health and well-being provides evidence of physical and psychological impacts ( MacDonald et al., 2013 ; Fancourt and Finn, 2019 ; van den Elzen et al., 2019 ). Benefits are also reported in terms of young people's educational outcomes ( Guhn et al., 2019 ), and successful musical activity can enhance an individual's sense of social inclusion ( Welch et al., 2014 ) and social cohesion ( Elvers et al., 2017 ).

This special issue provides a collection of 21, new research articles that deepen and develop our understanding of the ways and means that music can impact positively on human development and well-being. The collection draws on the work of 88 researchers from 17 different countries across the world, with each article offering an illustration of how music can relate to other important aspects of human functioning. In addition, the articles collectively illustrate a wide range of contemporary research approaches. These provide evidence of how different research aims concerning the wider benefits of music require sensitive and appropriate methodologies.

In terms of childhood and adolescence, for example, Putkinen et al. demonstrate how musical training is likely to foster enhanced sound encoding in 9 to 15-year-olds and thus be related to reading skills. A separate Finnish study by Saarikallio et al. provides evidence of how musical listening influences adolescents' perceived sense of agency and emotional well-being, whilst demonstrating how this impact is particularly nuanced by context and individuality. Aspects of mental health are the focus for an Australian study by Stewart et al. of young people with tendencies to depression. The article explores how, despite existing literature on the positive use of music for mood regulation, music listening can be double-edged and could actually sustain or intensify a negative mood.

A Portuguese study by Martins et al. shifts the center of attention from mental to physical benefits in their study of how learning music can support children's coordination. They provide empirical data on how a sustained, 24-week programme of Orff-based music education, which included the playing of simple tuned percussion instruments, significantly enhanced the manual dexterity and bimanual coordination in participant 8-year-olds compared to their active control (sports) and passive control peers. A related study by Loui et al. in the USA offers insights into the neurological impact of sustained musical instrument practice. Eight-year-old children who play one or more musical instruments for at least 0.5 h per week had higher scores on verbal ability and intellectual ability, and these correlated with greater measurable connections between particular regions of the brain related to both auditory-motor and bi-hemispheric connectivity.

Younger, pre-school children can also benefit from musical activities, with associations being reported between informal musical experiences in the home and specific aspects of language development. A UK-led study by Politimou et al. found that rhythm perception and production were the best predictors of young children's phonological awareness, whilst melody perception was the best predictor of grammar acquisition, a novel association not previously observed in developmental research. In another pre-school study, Barrett et al. explored the beliefs and values held by Australian early childhood and care practitioners concerning the value of music in young children's learning. Despite having limited formal qualifications and experience of personal music learning, practitioners tended overall to have positive attitudes to music, although this was biased toward music as a recreational and fun activity, with limited support for the notion of how music might be used to support wider aspects of children's learning and development.

Engaging in music to support a positive sense of personal agency is an integral feature of several articles in the collection. In addition to the Saarikallio team's research mentioned above, Moors et al. provide a novel example of how engaging in collective beatboxing can be life-enhancing for throat cancer patients in the UK who have undergone laryngectomy, both in terms of supporting their voice rehabilitation and alaryngeal phonation, as well as patients' sense of social inclusion and emotional well-being.

One potential reason for these positive findings is examined in an Australian study by Krause et al. . They apply the lens of self-determination theory to examine musical participation and well-being in a large group of 17 to 85-year-olds. Respondents to an online questionnaire signaled the importance of active music making in their lives in meeting three basic psychological needs embracing a sense of competency, relatedness and autonomy.

The use of public performance in music therapy is the subject of a US study by Vaudreuil et al. concerning the social transformation and reintegration of US military service members. Two example case studies are reported of service members who received music therapy as part of their treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other psychological health concerns. The participants wrote, learned, and refined songs over multiple music therapy sessions and created song introductions to share with audiences. Subsequent interviews provide positive evidence of the beneficial psychological effects of this programme of audience-focused musical activity.

Relatedly, McFerran et al. in Australia examined the ways in which music and trauma have been reported in selected music therapy literature from the past 10 years. The team's critical interpretive synthesis of 36 related articles led them to identify four different ways in which music has been used beneficially to support those who have experienced trauma. These approaches embrace the use of music for stabilizing (the modulation of physiological processes) and entrainment (the synchronization of music and movement), as well as for expressive and performative purposes—the fostering of emotional and social well-being.

The therapeutic potential of music is also explored in a detailed case study by Fachner et al. . Their research focuses on the nature of critical moments in a guided imagery and music session between a music therapist and a client, and evidences how these moments relate to underlying neurological function in the mechanics of music therapy.

At the other end of the age span, and also related to therapy, an Australian study by Brancatisano et al. reports on a new Music, Mind, and Movement programme for people in their eighties with mild to moderate dementia. Participants involved in the programme tended to show an improvement in aspects of cognition, particularly verbal fluency and attention. Similarly, Wilson and MacDonald report on a 10-week group music programme for young Scottish adults with learning difficulties. The research data suggest that participants enjoyed the programme and tended to sustain participation, with benefits evidenced in increased social engagement, interaction and communication.

The role of technology in facilitating access to music and supporting a sense of agency in older people is the focus for a major literature review by Creech , now based in Canada. Although this is a relatively under-researched field, the available evidence suggests that that older people, even those with complex needs, are capable of engaging with and using technology in a variety of ways that support their musical perception, learning and participation and wider quality of life.

Related to the particular needs of the young, children's general behavior can also improve through music, as exampled in an innovative, school-based, intensive 3-month orchestral programme in Italy with 8 to 10-year-olds. Fasano et al. report that the programme was particularly beneficial in reducing hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity, whilst enhancing inhibitory control. These benefits are in line with research findings concerning successful music education with specific cases of young people with ADHD whose behavior is characterized by these same disruptive symptoms (hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity).

Extra-musical benefits are also reported in a study of college students (Bachelors and Masters) and amateur musicians in a joint Swiss-UK study. Antonini Philippe et al. suggest that, whilst music making can offer some health protective effects, there is a need for greater health awareness and promotion among advanced music students. Compared to the amateur musicians, the college music students evaluated their overall quality of life and general and physical health more negatively, as did females in terms of their psychological health. Somewhat paradoxically, the college students who had taken part in judged performances reported higher psychological health ratings. This may have been because this sub-group were slightly older and more experienced musicians.

Music appears to be a common accompaniment to exercise, whether in the gym, park or street. Nikol et al. in South East Asia explore the potential physical benefits of synchronous exercise to music, especially in hot and humid conditions. Their randomized cross-over study (2019) reports that “time-to-exhaustion” under the synchronous music condition was 2/3 longer compared to the no-music condition for the same participants. In addition, perceived exertion was significantly lower, by an average of 22% during the synchronous condition.

Comparisons between music and sport are often evidenced in the body of existing Frontiers research literature related to performance and group behaviors. Our new collection contains a contribution to this literature in a study by Habe et al. . The authors investigated elite musicians and top athletes in Slovenia in terms of their perceptions of flow in performance and satisfaction with life. The questionnaire data analyses suggest that the experience of flow appears to influence satisfaction with life in these high-functioning individuals, albeit with some variations related to discipline, participant sex and whether considering team or individual performance.

A more formal link between music and movement is the focus of an exploratory case study by Cirelli and Trehub . They investigated a 19-month-old infant's dance-like, motorically-complex responses to familiar and unfamiliar songs, presented at different speeds. Movements were faster for the more familiar items at their original tempo. The child had been observed previously as moving to music at the age of 6 months.

Finally, a novel UK-based study by Waddington-Jones et al. evaluated the impact of two professional composers who were tasked, individually, to lead a 4-month programme of group composing in two separate and diverse community settings—one with a choral group and the other in a residential home, both funded as part of a music programme for the Hull City of Culture in 2017. In addition to the two composers, the participants were older adults, with the residential group being joined by schoolchildren from a local Primary school to collaborate in a final performance. Qualitative data analyses provide evidence of multi-dimensional psychological benefits arising from the successful, group-focused music-making activities.

In summary, these studies demonstrate that engaging in musical activity can have a positive impact on health and well-being in a variety of ways and in a diverse range of contexts across the lifespan. Musical activities, whether focused on listening, being creative or re-creative, individual or collective, are infused with the potential to be therapeutic, developmental, enriching, and educational, with the caveat provided that such musical experiences are perceived to be engaging, meaningful and successful by those who participate.

Collectively, these studies also celebrate the multiplicity of ways in which music can be experienced. Reading across the articles might raise a question as to whether or not any particular type of musical experience is seen to be more beneficial compared with another. The answer, at least in part, is that the empirical evidence suggests that musical engagement comes in myriad forms along a continuum of more or less overt activity, embracing learning, performing, composing and improvising, as well as listening and appreciating. Furthermore, given the multidimensional neurological processing of musical experience, it seems reasonable to hypothesize that it is perhaps the level of emotional engagement in the activity that drives its degree of health and well-being efficacy as much as the activity's overt musical features. And therein are opportunities for further research!

Author Contributions

The editorial was drafted by GW and approved by the topic Co-editors. All authors listed have made a substantial, direct and intellectual contribution to the Edited Collection, and have approved this editorial for publication.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to all the contributing authors and their participants for their positive engagement with this Frontiers Research Topic, and also for the Frontiers staff for their commitment and support in bringing this topic to press.

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Keywords: music, wider benefits, lifespan, health, well-being

Citation: Welch GF, Biasutti M, MacRitchie J, McPherson GE and Himonides E (2020) Editorial: The Impact of Music on Human Development and Well-Being. Front. Psychol. 11:1246. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01246

Received: 12 January 2020; Accepted: 13 May 2020; Published: 17 June 2020.

Reviewed by:

Copyright © 2020 Welch, Biasutti, MacRitchie, McPherson and Himonides. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Graham F. Welch, graham.welch@ucl.ac.uk ; Michele Biasutti, michele.biasutti@unipd.it

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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Analyses of Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Music, 1940-2000— Music Reference: ML 113 .H6951 2007
If you don't find enough information in books, try searching for articles in databases. Articles tend to be more specific in their focus than books, so they can be a great source of information on particular compositions.
Try the database RILM first— it's scholarly and is the most comprehensive database of music literature.
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Music: Developing Topics & Research Questions

About this Guide
Researching Musicians
Developing Topics & Research Questions
Evaluating Information
Finding Streaming Videos
Citing Sources
Getting Research Help

Developing a Research Question Takes Research

When the scope of your paper is too big, it's hard to dig through information and to write a paper wit any depth. The goal of most research papers in college is to seek a possible answer to a particular questions related to a topic. A research question, when not too broad or too narrow, helps guide and focus your paper.

The question should also be one in which you haven't decided on a pre-determined answer. You may find that looking for sources that provide a certain answer may be too limiting. The answer you are expecting might not be supported by evidence.

Brainstorm & do some pre-research

The research question isn't a question you make up at the top of your head. It's normal to start with a broad topic in mind. After doing some brainstorming about a topic, you will need to do some reading to find an angle to pursue, and, even then, your question may change as you find more information later.

Ask questions

From your pre-research, think about questions you might be able to ask regarding the topic. Most scholarly research examines fairly narrow topics and looks at relationships between concepts. One way to limit the scope of your topic is to ask who, what, where, when, why, and how questions.

Be flexible

It's okay to continue to tweak your question; the end result should be that you have answered the question you've laid out in the introduction, even if the introduction is the last paragraph you actually end up revising in your final paper.

Picking Your Topic IS Research

North Carolina State University (NCSU) Libraries, 3:10

OER Book Chapters

The Qualities of a Good Research Question from LibreTexts
Research Questions from Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research, Teaching & Learning, Ohio State University Libraries

Research is a Process

Anna Eisen (2:35)

Encourages students to develop background knowledge to create a research question. Research questions should have topic, question and significance. The narrator suggests using the following formulation: I’m studying _______________ to investigate ______________ in order to understand. Complex research questions take time to create.

Keeping your research question in mind, if you can answer TRUE to the statements below, your research question is probably workable.

It cannot simply be answered with a yes/no.
It has social significance/a problem associated with it.
There is reliable evidence available to address it.
It has appropriate scope.

Be careful about investigating questions that you think you already have the answer to.

Choosing a Manageable Research Topic

PfauLibrary (3:42)

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216 Awesome Music Topics That Will Inspire Your Thesis

On this page, you will find the ultimate list of 216 brand new, 100% original music topics for high school, college and university students. No, it’s not a trick! You can use any of our topics about music for free and you don’t even have to give us credit. Many of these research topics on music should work great in 2023.

In addition, we have the best step by step guide to writing a research paper right here on this page. Just like the topics, you can read the guide for free. It will help you stay focused on what’s important and ensure you don’t miss any steps. And remember, if you need assistance with your academic writing tasks, our native English-speaking writers are the most reliable on the Internet!

Writing A Research Paper About Music

So, what is music? Music is a form of art that uses sound and rhythm to create an emotional or aesthetic experience. It can be created by combining different elements such as melody, harmony, rhythm and timbre. Music is a universal language that can be found in all cultures and has been an important part of human history for thousands of years. It can evoke emotions, tell stories, and communicate ideas. Music can take many forms, including vocal or instrumental, solo or ensemble, live or recorded, and can be classified into various genres such as rock, pop, classical, jazz, and many more.

But how do you write a research paper about music quickly? Well, we have a great step by step guide for you right here.

Choose a music topic. Select a topic that interests you and that you have enough background knowledge on to research and write about. Conduct research. Use a variety of sources to gather information on your topic, including books, academic journals, online databases, and primary sources such as interviews or musical recordings. Organize your research. Once you have gathered enough information, organize your research into an outline or a mind map to help you visualize how your paper will flow. Write a thesis statement. Your thesis statement should be a concise statement that summarizes the main argument of your paper. Write a rough draft. Begin writing your paper using the information you have gathered and the outline or mind map you created. Focus on creating a clear and coherent argument, and be sure to cite all sources using the appropriate citation style. Help with coursework services can aid you in succeeding with this part. Revise and edit. Once you have completed a rough draft, revise and edit your paper to improve its clarity, organization, and coherence. Check for grammar and spelling errors, and make sure all citations are correct and properly formatted. Create a bibliography or works cited page. Include a list of all sources you used in your research, including books, articles, interviews, and recordings. Finalize your paper. After making all necessary revisions and edits, finalize your paper and ensure that it meets all the requirements set by your instructor or professor. Proofread everything and make sure it’s perfectly written. You don’t want to lose points over some typos, do you?

Easy Research Topics About Music

The history and evolution of hip-hop culture
The impact of classical music on modern composers
The role of music in therapy for mental health
The cultural significance of jazz in African-American communities
The influence of traditional folk music on contemporary artists
The development of electronic music over the past decade
The use of music in film to enhance storytelling
The rise of K-pop and its global popularity
The effects of music on our learning abilities
The use of music in branding in the fashion industry
The influence of the Beatles on popular music
The intersection of music and politics in the 1960s
The cultural significance of reggae music in Jamaica
The history and evolution of country music in America
The impact of music streaming on the music industry

Opinion Essay Music Topics

Music piracy: Should it be considered a serious crime?
Should music education be mandatory in schools?
Is autotune ruining the quality of music?
Are music awards shows still relevant in today’s industry?
Should music lyrics be censored for explicit content?
Is it fair that some musicians earn more money than others?
Is classical music still relevant in modern society?
Should music festivals have age restrictions for attendees?
Is it fair for musicians to be judged on their personal lives?
Is the current state of the music industry sustainable?
Should musicians be held accountable for the messages in their lyrics?
Is the role of the record label still important in the age of digital music?
Should musicians be able to express their political views in their music?
Does the use of music in movies and TV shows enhance or detract from the storytelling?

Interesting Music Research Topics

The impact of music on athletic performance
The use of music in advertising and consumer behavior
The role of music in enhancing cognitive abilities
The effects of music on stress reduction and relaxation
The cultural significance of music in indigenous communities
The influence of music on fashion and style trends
The evolution of protest music and its impact on society
The effects of music on Alzheimer’s disease
The intersection of music and technology in the music industry
The effects of music on emotional intelligence and empathy
The cultural significance of hip hop music in the African diaspora
The influence of music on human behavior and decision-making
The effects of music on physical performance and exercise
The role of music in promoting social and political activism

Research Paper Topics On Music

The effects of music on the brain and mental health
The impact of streaming on the music industry
The history and evolution of rap music
The cultural significance of traditional folk music
The use of music in video games to enhance the gaming experience
The role of music in religious and spiritual practices
The effects of music on memory and learning
The development of rock and roll in America
The intersection of music and politics in the 21st century
The cultural significance of country music in the South
The use of music in autism therapy
The impact of social media on music promotion and marketing
The influence of music on the LGBTQ+ community
The effects of music on social behavior and interaction

Argumentative Essay Topics About Music

Does music have a negative effect on behavior?
Is streaming music harming the music industry?
Can music censorship be justified in certain cases?
Is cultural appropriation a problem in the music industry?
Should musicians be held accountable for controversial lyrics?
Is autotune a helpful tool or a crutch for musicians?
Should music education be a required part of the curriculum?
Is the use of explicit lyrics in music harmful?
Should music festivals be required to have safety measures?
Does the use of profanity in music undermine its artistic value?
Can music be used to promote political messages effectively?
Should musicians be allowed to profit from tragedies?

Current Music Topics To Write About In 2023

The rise of TikTok and its impact on music promotion
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK music
The use of virtual concerts and live streaming during COVID-19
The influence of social media on music consumption and trends
The emergence of new genres and sub-genres in popular music
Talk about cancel culture in music
The debate over the use of explicit lyrics in music
The impact of climate change on music festivals and events
The use of artificial intelligence in music production and composition
The influence of music on political and social movements
The rise of female and non-binary artists in the music industry
The effects of globalization on the diversity of music around the world
The role of nostalgia in the popularity of music from past decades

Musical Topics About Famous Musicians

The life and legacy of Beethoven
The impact of Elvis Presley on rock and roll
The career and contributions of Bob Dylan
The influence of Michael Jackson on pop music
The musical evolution of Madonna over time
The enduring appeal of the Rolling Stones
The career of Prince and his impact on music
The contributions of David Bowie to pop culture
The iconic sound of Jimi Hendrix’s guitar
The impact of Whitney Houston on the music industry
The life and career of Freddie Mercury of Queen
The artistry and impact of Joni Mitchell
The groundbreaking work of Stevie Wonder in R&B
The musical legacy of the Beatles and their influence on pop music

Music Research Paper Topics For College

The cultural significance of the accordion in folk music
The use of sampling in hip-hop and electronic music production
The evolution of the drum kit in popular music
The significance of Taylor Swift in contemporary country-pop music
The effects of drug abuse in the music industry
The role of music in shaping political movements and protests
The impact of streaming services on the music industry and artists’ income
The significance of the Burning Man festival in music and culture
The emergence and growth of Afrobeat music globally
The role of musical collaboration in the creation of new music genres
The use of autotune and other vocal processing tools in pop music
The effects of social and political issues on rap music lyrics
The significance of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in pop culture
The impact of music on emotional regulation and mental health

Our Controversial Music Topics

The controversy of the “cancel culture” in US music
The impact of music piracy on the industry and artists
The ethical concerns of music sampling without permission
The controversy surrounding lip-syncing during live performances
The debate over the authenticity of auto-tune in music
The controversy surrounding the use of profanity in music
The debate over the cultural appropriation of music styles
The controversy surrounding music festivals and their impact on local communities
The debate over the role of music in promoting violence and aggression
The controversy surrounding the ownership of an artist’s discography
The ethical concerns of musicians profiting from songs about tragedies and disasters

Captivating Music Thesis Topics

The role of music in promoting social justice
The impact of music streaming on album sales
The significance of lyrics in contemporary pop music
The evolution of heavy metal music over time
The influence of gospel music on rock and roll
The effects of music education on cognitive development
The cultural significance of hip-hop music in America
The role of music in promoting environmental awareness and activism
The impact of music festivals on local economies
The evolution of country music and its impact on popular music
The use of music in advertising and marketing strategies

Classical Music Topic Ideas

The influence of Baroque music on classical music
The history and evolution of the symphony orchestra
The career and legacy of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
The significance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
The evolution of opera as an art form
The role of women composers in classical music history
The impact of the Romantic era on classical music
The use of program music to tell a story through music
The significance of the concerto in classical music
The influence of Johann Sebastian Bach on classical music
The contributions of Antonio Vivaldi to the concerto form
The use of counterpoint in classical music composition
The role of chamber music in classical music history
The significance of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah in classical music

Interesting Music Topics For High School

The history and evolution of the piano as a musical instrument
The significance of Beethoven in classical music
The impact of Elvis Presley on US music
The emergence and growth of the hip-hop music genre
The role of music festivals in contemporary music culture
The effects of technology on music production and performance
The influence of social media on music promotion and distribution
The effects of music on mental health and well-being
The role of music in popular culture and media
The impact of musical soundtracks on movies and TV shows
The use of music therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorder
The significance of the Coachella Music Festival in modern music culture
The cultural significance of the ukulele in Hawaiian culture

Awesome Music Research Questions For 2023

Should musicians be required to use their platform to promote social justice causes?
Is music piracy a victimless crime or does it harm the industry?
Should music venues be required to provide safe spaces for concertgoers?
Is the Grammy Awards selection process biased towards mainstream artists?
Should music streaming services pay musicians higher royalties?
Is it appropriate for music to be used in political campaign advertisements?
Should music journalists be required to disclose their personal biases in reviews?
Is it ethical for musicians to profit from songs about tragedies and disasters?
Should music education be funded equally across all schools and districts?
Is it fair for record labels to own the rights to an artist’s entire discography?
Should music festivals have more diverse and inclusive lineups?
Should musicians be allowed to use drugs and alcohol as part of their creative process?

Fantastic Music Topics For Research

The evolution of the electric guitar in rock music
The cultural significance of the sitar in Indian music
The impact of synthesizers on contemporary music production
The use of technology in the creation and performance of music
The influence of Beyoncé on modern pop music
The significance of Kendrick Lamar in contemporary rap music
The effects of misogyny and sexism in the rap music industry
The emergence and growth of K-pop music globally
The significance of Coachella Music Festival in the music industry
The history and evolution of the Woodstock Music Festival
The impact of music festivals on tourism and local economies
The role of music festivals in shaping music trends and culture
The effects of music piracy on the music industry
The impact of social media on the promotion and distribution of music
The role of music in the Black Lives Matter movement

Catchy Music Related Research Topics

Is hip-hop culture beneficial or harmful to society?
Is it ethical to sample music without permission?
Should music streaming services censor explicit content?
Is auto-tune a valid musical technique or a crutch?
Does the music industry unfairly exploit young artists?
Should radio stations be required to play a certain percentage of local music?
Is the practice of lip-syncing during live performances acceptable?
Is music education undervalued and underfunded in schools?
Does the use of profanity in music contribute to a decline in society?
Should music venues be held accountable for the safety of concertgoers?

Informative Speech Topics About Music

The history and evolution of jazz music
The cultural significance of classical music in Europe
The origins and development of blues music in America
The influence of Latin American music on American popular music
The impact of technology on music production and distribution
The role of music in expressing emotions and feelings
The effects of music therapy on mental health and wellbeing
The cultural significance of traditional music in Africa
The use of music in films and television to create mood and atmosphere
The influence of the Beatles on popular music and culture
The evolution of electronic dance music (EDM)
The role of music in promoting cultural diversity and unity
The impact of social media on the music industry and fan culture

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Music encyclopedias

Articles, dissertations, conference proceedings, the four r-projects of international music scholarship, music research portals.

Streaming audio and video
Find music scores
Online scores
Musical images, manuscript sources, and musical instruments
Music theory study aids
Citations and writing guides

Performing Arts Librarian

Ask Laura Stokes

Library of Congress: Performing Arts Encyclopedia The Performing Arts Encyclopedia is a collection of performing arts materials located at the Library of Congress.
Rock's Backpages 1960-present; Rock's Backpages is a database of rock music writing, sourced from the pages of the music and mainstream press. Thousands of articles (reviews, interviews, features and more) for over 2,000 artists are available.
MusicID This link opens in a new window Provides access to perpetually-updated charts information, including Billboard charts, iTunes downloads, Spotify and Apple Music streams, and Shazam searches. Also includes a revenue calculation tool. more... less... Current; Music ID is an academic research tool that utilizes powerful analytics to compile global music industry data. Incorporating 5,452 different charts spanning 74 countries, Music ID Data provides access to perpetually-updated, week-to-week information on iTunes downloads, Spotify and Apple Music streams, and Shazam searches, as well as contemporary and historical data from Billboard, the Official Charts Company, GfK, and more.
RISM (Répertoire internationale des sources musicales) RISM's catalog is a finding aid for music manuscripts and prints; the online catalog includes Series A/1 and A/II (Music Manuscripts after 1600) and parts of B/1 as well as a list of library sigla. Other components can be found in print in the Orwig Music Library. more... less... http://www.rism.info/en/publications.html
RIdIM: Répertoire International d'Iconograpie Musicale (International Repertoire of Musical Iconography) The RId'IM database contains descriptions of visual objects that depict music-making, musical instruments, and similar related objects. Where possible, there are links to online images of the artwork.
Online Resources for Music Scholars (Harvard University) The electronic research guide from Harvard's Loeb Music Library, with many free resources covering musicology, music theory, composition, ethnomusicology, and more.
MusRef (Brigham Young University) MusRef, a portal from the music library at Brigham Young University, includes an online bibliography of reference sources for music, both print and online, as well as guides for getting started with music reference sources. This site includes a huge collection of links to the vast world of freely available information about music on the web.
Digital Resources for Musicology (DRM) A portal to open-access projects that may be of use to musicians and musicologists.
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Library Intranet

Music Research Topics

Published by Boni on October 31, 2022 October 31, 2022

Music is a highly influential aspect of our society today. It has been part of our lives for a long time now. As music evolves, everyone has their specific taste for a given genre, musical instrument or song. Some common genres may include hip-hop, rock, reggae or roots. The evolution of music has led to the subject being incorporated in the school curriculum.

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For any student pursuing a career in music, one of the important aspects of the degree is the research paper. Getting the right topic for your research essay is always a challenge to most students however, this article will have relevant examples you can get inspiration from.

Tips on how to Select the Best Music Research Paper Topic?

Choosing a good topic for any research paper is essential, especially if you aim to attain good results in your paper. The following tips will guide you in choosing the most appropriate music research topic.

1. Be clear on your topic

Be sure of your topic before starting to write your paper; this means that you should have adequate knowledge of what type of research you are planning to conduct. For example, if you plan to include information about the impact of music on criminal behavior, then be sure that you have sufficient knowledge about music in criminal behavior.

2. Use sources

Make sure that you have sufficient material to use in your paper. You should use sources such as books, journals, and websites containing information on the topic you plan to write about. These sources will help with your research, as they will provide well-written articles to develop your topic.

3. Develop sources

If you do not have any material to use in your paper, there are many places where you can get sources. In this case, you have to develop your sources. For example, if the topic is about the effect of music on plastic surgery, you can use research papers on medical concepts and statistics about plastic surgery performed by newspapers and magazines. You can also conduct interviews with experts in these areas of study; however, make sure that they are reliable.

4. Seek help from a professional

The professional help you should consider getting is that of a reviewer. A music research paper is more challenging than other academic papers; it requires greater attention to detail and a deeper understanding of your research topic. Therefore, you should get a professional from a reputable service to help you review your work before submitting it. Gudwriter has the best research paper essay writing service that gurantees you quality music research papers from our qulified team of experts.

Music Research Topics Examples

Below are some of the most popular music research topics:

Music History Research Topics

History is known for its accurate records, and this is also applicable to music research. For example, if you want to write a paper on the history of Broadway musicals, you should have information about the different shows produced in the past and their influences on performers. This will ensure that you get your paper done properly.

A list of topics relating to music history would include:

1. The history of the synthesizers

2. The history of music in the United States

3. The evolution of classical music

4. The history of pop music styles

5. The evolution of folk music in America

6. How technology has influenced the evolution of music styles

7. The development and influence of hip-hop

8. The history of European classical music

9. The history of African-American music

10. The history of Latin American music

11. The effect of the digital age on the evolution of music styles

Music Therapy Research Topics

These are brilliant essay topics that research on how therapeutic music can be in the society. Examples of these topics could be:

How does music treat psychological conditions?
How can you calm an individual using the theme?
What do people love most about classical music?
Does listening to music affect your effectiveness?
What is the impact of music as a subject in schools?
Can music help reduce stress?
Can an individual use music to heal eating disorders?
Why do most psychologists prefer using music when performing their work?
Can music lyrics help enhance your brain capacity?
Music and therapy
How does music help students in education?
Scientific research and music
How does music help learn psychology?
What music genre is written in different countries?
How music affects student’s productivity

Music Theory Topics

This music category is for the music theory lovers. It may help investigate the theories in music such as characteristics of music in different eras and crucial aspects of music in societies. Great examples may include:

Brilliant characteristics of Romantic-age songs
How music evolved in the Baroque Era
Who were the top compositors during the Romantic era?
Remarkable features of Baroque-age music
Uncovering symbols during the Renaissance-period music
How classical music relates to medical applications
Major music directions during the 20 th century
What are the crucial aspects of music?
History of modern hip-hop
Why is it that most intellectuals prefer rock music?

Music History Research Paper Topics

This is another field where you can find plenty of research topics to work on. History offers us the chance to examine and understand the origin of a particular music genre or issue related to music. You can pick any of the following topics for your music history research paper:

Origin of black music
History of musical instruments
What is the female impact on the jazz music genre?
Imperial Japanese and Chinese Music
Who created the music?
Music as it was used in the Holy Roman Empire
Main aspects of modernism music
How politics influenced music back then?
Modern music culture
Why are music studies important?
Conventional archetypes in music
How is music connected to important functions and events?
Genius of Bach
Folk music and how it impacts the population

Music Psychology Research Topics

Connecting psychology and music is not something new. However, the category has not been researched as it should be. Researchers have barely scratched the ground on the music psychology research topics. That is why this is a good topic to research on. Consider the following suggestions:

Are sound therapies efficient?
Does music education impact our abnormal activities in the brain?
Does music impact our state of mind, mood, and overall mental health?
How tones affect mental development in teens, children, and toddlers
How does playing a piano enhance communication skills of individuals with communication issues?
What are cultural differences in music?
Changes in music consumption patterns in young people
How has music changed how students think and act?
Can music enhance your sleep at night?
Does a specific genre of music champion for drug abuse that affects our psychology?

Classical Music Research Topics

For the classical sounds’ lovers, this is the category to research on. You can research on how this music works, when it started, its history, and the traits of the listeners. Below are some common example topics to pick from:

What songs fall under the classical genre?
What is the history of the classical music category?
Is classical music impactful today?
What role does classical sound play in Disney production?
Most impactful classical projects
Character traits of classical music listeners
Role of women in the classical genre
Are classical sounds and metal the same?
How modern melodies differ from classical music
Why is Mozart different from other composers in the classical genre

Music Thesis Topics

Other excellent research topics you can handle include the music thesis topics. These topics typically cover a wide range of areas in the music field from analysis of specific genres to examination of cultural implications. Examples may include:

A comparative study of traditional music practices in different ethnic communities
The psychological effects of listening to music on emotional well-being and mood regulation
What is music’s role in the LGBTQ+ community?
Examining how music is a catalyst for change in the Hip-Hop culture
Investigating effects of music training on neural development and cognitive abilities
The impact of live music performances on audience emotional response and engagement
Use of music as a mnemonic device
What role does music play in promoting cognitive development in children?
A comparative study of traditional and digital distribution models
Tracing the origin of jazz music and its influences from African Roots to modern interpretations
Examining female empowerment in pop music lyrics

Music Controversial Topics

Popular music is always being criticized and is often the focus of research discussions. While this is normal and not uncommon, such criticism can also be turned into a paper used in studies. Below are some examples of topics related to popular music research:

1. The use of information technology (IT) in today’s music industry

2. The politics behind the use of the word “pop” in mainstream U.S. pop culture

3. The effect of hip-hop on today’s society

4. The origins of dance music

5. The use of metaphors in today’s music

6. The role of the internet in pop music

7. The effect of lyrics on the music style

8. The impact of sex and drugs in the creation of pop music and its stereotypes

9. The influence of the Beatles on other bands and musicians

10. How racism affected black musicians during the 1960s and has affected them today

Music Argument Topics

This type of music research focuses on the use of statistical analysis, as well as on other methods such as opinion surveys and field studies. Below are some examples of argumentative research topics:

1. The evolution of music piracy over time

2. The impact of digital piracy on the evolution of music and other elements related to it

3. How access to free, illegally downloaded music has affected the sales of CDs and records

4. The effect of parental guidance on censorship in music lyrics

5. The role that education systems worldwide play in the promotion or censoring of certain genres

6. The importance and effectiveness of copyright laws in preventing illegal downloads

7. The impact of music piracy on the global music market

8. How the evolution of technology has affected the sales of CDs and records

9. The effect of global warming on musical genres

10. The dangers that peer-to-peer networks pose to the online security of users’ computers

Learn the basic steps to follow in writing your research paper .

Hip-Hop Research Topics

Hip-hop is a music style that originated in the United States. Its popularity has spread globally, and its music is easily recognized nowadays. It is based on African American tradition and culture, and its roots can be traced to the blues music of the 1960s. The strong beat in hip-hop music was influenced by the funk music that was popular then.

Depending on your interest, you can conduct research on a wide range of topics related to hip hop; these include, but are not limited to:

1. The history of hip hop

2. The origins of hip-hop and its influences on the world’s culture

3. The impact of hip-hop on various aspects of society, including politics, music, and language

4. How hip hop has influenced the evolution of music styles around the world

5. The effect that hip hop and other forms of music have had on other aspects of culture around the world

6. The effect that social change, technology, and political powers have had on hip-hop culture

7. The effect of hip-hop on the body image of women

8. The impact of hip-hop on the culture around the world

9. How hip hop has affected the media and its portrayal of women

10. The use of sampling in pop music genres

Debatable Music Topics

Debatable topics are those that people have different feelings about. For example, while some people think rap music is harmful to children, others believe it’s a positive influence in their lives. The same applies to other genres of music.

Below are several examples of debatable music topics:

1. The impact of MP3s and peer-to-peer networks on the sales of CDs and records

2. The effects of hip-hop on society and its stereotypes

3. The psychology behind the creation of pop music

4. The use of sampling in pop music genres

5. The impact of sex and drugs in the creation of pop music and its stereotypes

6. The role that education systems worldwide play in the promotion or censoring of certain genres

7. The effect of media censorship on hip-hop culture

8. The influence of the law on music genres, such as hip-hop, rap, and rock-and-roll

Music Appreciation Research Topics

Many people enjoy music and want to learn more about worldwide music styles. If you are interested in pursuing a music appreciation research topic, here are some additional topics that you may explore:

1. The history of music and how it has changed the world

2. How pop music styles differ from one country to another

3. The effects of global warming on musical genres

4. How hip-hop has shaped modern culture, such as language and fashion

5. The impact of social change on the emergence and development of new music styles and genres

6. How the internet has influenced the evolution of music styles

7. The use of metaphors in music

8. How technology has influenced the evolution of music styles

9. The impact of hip-hop on modern society, including politics and language

10. How African-American music has shaped modern cultures, such as language and fashion

Music Education Research Topics

If you are a student in a music program, you can research your music skills and improve them. Here are several ideas for topics that you could discuss:

1. The effect of hip-hop on education and its impact on the language spoken by children

2. The history of rap music, from its roots to modern times

3. The composition of rhythm and blues songs and their histories

4. The musical arrangement of rap songs throughout history

5. The role that race plays in the creation of rap music

6. How sex and drugs affect the creation of pop music and influence its lyrics

7. The influence of rock-and-roll on other genres, such as jazz, blues, and country

8. The history of sampling and its importance in the creation of hip hop

9. The history of copyright laws and their impact on musical piracy

Pop Culture Research Topics

You can research pop culture’s appeal, from films and television shows to music. Below are examples of topics that may interest you:

1. The history of film, including horror and action movies

2. The psychology behind the creation of pop music and its components

3. The impact that different types of music have had on society, such as race and sex

4. How technology has influenced the evolution of music styles throughout history

5. The role that education systems worldwide play in the promotion or censoring of certain genres

6. The creativity involved in the composition and arrangement of pop songs

7. How pop culture has influenced language around the world

8. The history of hip-hop and its impact on modern languages

9. How African-American music has shaped modern cultures, such as language and fashion

10. The history of sampling and its importance in the creation of hip hop

Rap Topics Ideas

Many people enjoy listening to rap music. If you are interested in learning more about this genre, here are several topics that you may discuss:

1. How rap music has evolved throughout history

2. The role that sampling has played in the creation of various hip-hop styles

3. How societal changes have affected rap music and its lyrics

4. How sampling has influenced modern music styles around the world

5. The evolution of hip-hop, including its impact on popular culture

6. How rap music has influenced the language of African-Americans

7. The political overtones behind rap music and its impact on modern society

8. The effect that sex and drugs have had on the creation of rap music and its content

If you are interested in pursuing a research topic about music, you now have several ideas to help guide you. Remember that topics should be able to answer your research questions, so make sure to explore those ideas thoroughly.

You should also remember that research is an opportunity for personal growth. If you take the time to conduct thorough research and include quality sources in your project, you will learn more about these topics and yourself.

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15 Fun Music Topics to Research Ideas for Your Music Appreciation Class

music-topics-to-research-blog-header-2023

Finding music topics to research that your music appreciation class will love can be a challenge at times. Fortunately, there are plenty of exciting and interesting music topics to research and explore when it comes to music appreciation. This blog post is jam-packed with fun music topics and ideas that make great projects and assessments for your music class.

Most music topics to research fall under the following broader categories –

Musician of Composer Biography

Music History

Music theory, music genres, music of a culture, stylistic features of a genre, elements of music analysis.

History of Musical Instruments

Types of Music Ensembles

Instruments of a Culture

Musical Techniques for Performance

Musical techniques for composing, music festivals, music and technology, music for the stage.

5-simple-ways-to-makeover-your-music-curriculum-blog-image-2022

Read on to find out more details for each of these categories for music topics to research, but if you are looking for some more ways to spice up your own music curriculum, then why not grab yourself a FREE copy of the 5 Ways to Makeover Your Music Curriculum. Click here to find out more.

Musician or Composer Biography

One of the easiest and most used music topics to research in the music classroom is the biography of a famous composer throughout history. This type of music research topic can be done on any number of composers throughout history – from Beethoven to Mozart to Bach. Some of the most influential composers in history have left an indelible mark on music as we know it today. Your music students can explore the works of several famous composers from different eras and consider what made them unique and revolutionary for their time period.

If you are looking to use this type of music topic to research with your classes, there are several Bundles available in my TPT store. Use the link here to check them out – all the hard work has been done for you. All you need to do is choose a composer, which pages you want to complete, and you are ready to go! This type of music topics to research make great music research assignments.

Music Composer Bundle

Female Composer Bundle

Music Research Topic idea 3- Music Theory

Although Music Theory is not required knowledge for all musicians out there, exploring musical theory will give your music students a deeper insight into why certain chords sound better than others or what makes a melody memorable! This music research topic could incorporate any type of music theory and some broad music theory research topics include:

The History of Music Notation
Different Ways that Rhythm is Notated and Counted around the World
The Development of Music Scales
Music Scales from Around the World
Chord Progressions
Musical Form of a particular style – Sonata, Symphony, Jazz, Pop, Program Music, etc…

Music Research Topic idea 2- Music History

Another commonly used music topic to research is Music History, and typically the History of European Music. Exploring different time periods of music is a great way to introduce students to the vast range of sounds and styles within the world of music. For this type of music assignment try giving each student a different musical era to research its history, development, notable artists, and influence on other time periods. This is also an effective way to get students comfortable with using various sources for research.

The different musical eras that you could use as a music topic to research are:

Early Music to 1400
Middle Ages
Renaissance
20 th Century – 1900-2000
Modern 2000-present

Using Music Genres as a music topic to research can be incredibly broad for students, especially if your study is on contemporary music! For this type of music research topic or assignment try taking a closer look at subgenres within those broader categories such as punk rock or rap/hip hop. You can have your music students research where these subgenres originated from as well as any artists who helped popularize them within their respective scenes.

There are a couple of great websites that can help with this research. Be sure to check them out and try them with your classes. A word of warning – be prepared to go down the rabbit hole and lose a few hours of your time exploring these sites – they’re very interesting!!!!

This site is a long list of different musical genres
This site has links to music samples and playlists
This is another long list of genres, it is a bit easier to navigate, but you do need to create an account
This is another list site, but has lots of sub-genres and world music
This one is my personal favorite! It has music samples all linked and mapped. You just click on a style and a music sample plays. This one would be best for comparing different styles of music
This site has music mapped into a family tree – you can see where a style has it’s origins and influences
This music map site has parts to click to get reading passages on each music genre. It would be great to use for researching.

Music Research Topic idea 5- Music of a Culture

Introducing students to different musical cultures from around the globe is one way to show them how versatile and varied music from different regions can sound. Researching individual instruments from each culture allows students to understand how instrumentation contributes to the genre-specific sounds as well as how it has evolved over time due to technological advancements or cultural influences from around the world.

A suggested list of music topics to research for different cultures is below:

East Asia and Korea
Eastern Europe
Native American
Philippines
South America
Southeast Asia
Southwest and Central Asia
Western Europe and Scandinavia

If you are wanting to incorporate these world music research topics into your music classes, try the Music in Cultures Around the World Bundle

Music Research Topic idea 6- Stylistic Features of a Genre

Writing about music can be an interesting and creative task. With numerous music genres to draw from (see the list of websites above), there are a wealth of music topics to research and music topics for research papers that can provide a substantial focus for your music students. When exploring and researching the stylistic features of music genres, it’s beneficial to go beyond surface level observations. Your students should not only research the history and evolution of their chosen style, but also look at the artists and stylistic features that define the music genre. From the influence of other genres, instruments used, and the performers who have popularized certain sounds, researching the stylistic features of a genre provides an exciting opportunity for exploration.

Music Research Topic idea 7- Elements of Music Analysis

Music analysis using the Elements of Music is an extremely important skill for music students to cultivate and perfect. This type of music research assignment that focuses on music analysis can give your music students a chance to research music topics and apply their knowledge of music theory and composition in order to write about music.

For this type of music research assignment, your music students can choose any piece of music, musician, composer or music style that they want to study. Once they have chosen their area of focus, they can use the Elements of Music to guide their analysis of the music selected for study. By focusing on how each of the Elements of Music are used, your music students will help to improve their listening skills, performance and composition skills as well as their critical thinking and writing skills.

For more information about the Elements of Music read this Blog Post.

If you would like a set of “done for you” music analysis and music appreciation assignments using the Elements of Music, use the link here to check out this best-selling resource!

Music Research Topic idea 8- History of Musical Instruments

Learning about the history of musical instruments can be a fascinating way to explore different cultures and eras. One effective way for music students to learn more about music is to complete an assignment on the history of a musical instrument. This type of music assignment requires students to research music instruments in depth and develop an extended piece of writing on their findings. Through such music topics for research papers, it is possible to gain a better understanding of the methods of sound production by each instrument as well as the many ways that music has shaped society throughout the years. Choosing a unique music instrument such as Japanese drums or stringed instruments from around the world, makes writing about music fun and interesting. When you assign each student a different music research topic, this gives each student the opportunity to explore something specific and meaningful within the larger world of culture and music.

To make it easier for you try these two different Instrument Study resources from my TPT store

Orchestra Instrument Music Worksheets

Music Research Topic idea 9- Types of Music Ensembles

Music can often be a great topic to research and write about, especially music ensembles from around the world. Everything from traditional Chinese music to Bhangra music from India can be explored. Whether it’s the different instruments utilized in an Argentinean folk music ensemble, or the incredible rhythms found within Turkish music, anyone interested in writing about music will have a wealth of music research topics to explore. Even things that you may never have thought of like Candombe music from Uruguay or Soukous music from Congo can be investigated further and provide excellent context for a music research paper. By researching music ensembles from around the world, your music students can gain exceptional insights into cultural backgrounds as well as appreciate the variety of musical ensembles that exist across the world today.

Other types of Music Ensembles to Research include:
Small Ensembles – duets, trios, quartets, quintets
Rock Ensembles – different genres from the power trio to a rock big band
Jazz Music Ensembles – Jazz quartets, quintets to big bands
Vocal Ensembles – duets, trios, barbershop quartet, a capella groups and choirs
Classical Ensembles – string quartet, chamber orchestra to symphony orchestra
World Music Ensembles – Taiko drumming, Gamelan, Chinese Orchestra to different Folk Groups

Music Research Topic idea 10- Instruments of a Culture

Musical Instruments of a Culture

Music and instruments from cultures around the world are an intriguing and fascinating field of study. From ancient music that has been passed down through generations to music created in today’s modern era, there is no shortage of music topics for research and writing about music. Your music students can explore the instruments used for various music styles and genres ranging from traditional Indian classical music to reggae music in Jamaica. Studying the use of these instruments, how they are made, and the methods of sound production can provide an understanding of how different cultures view music and its importance within their society. It is also an opportunity to discover a range of sounds, techniques, and instrumentation collected from other countries and regions. Delving into music topics like these opens a unique way to appreciate artists from around the world by examining their use of traditional instruments to express their ideas, stories, cultures, beliefs, emotions, and experiences.

Try the World Instrument Music Worksheets to help you study Instruments of a Culture with your music classes.

Music Research Topic idea 11- Musical Techniques for Performance

Different musical instruments require different performance techniques and practice methods to develop a music student’s proficiency on their instrument. Researching music topics about their own instrument is therefore key to developing a well-rounded music knowledge and building a variety of musical performance skills that your music students can draw on to use in their own performances. When researching the performance techniques on an instrument, it is important to consider the various musical elements that factor into music-making for that instrument such as the different ways to make a sound unique. Additionally, looking at different music cultures that have similar instruments can provide perspective on the essential elements of music-making for any instrument. By researching these music topics and exploring music from diverse cultures, music genres and styles, young musicians can broaden their knowledge and refine their performance techniques.

Music Research Topic idea 12- Musical Techniques for Composing

For those interested in exploring music composition techniques for songwriting, there are a plethora of music topics to research. Experimentation with chord progressions, sound selection and structure can all lead to finding creative ways of writing music. From analyzing music theory and learning more about the basics of music notation to creating unique rhythms and melodies, there might be boundless music topics for research papers that require study and practice.

Your students could choose to study the compositional techniques used within a certain style or genre, or even study more closely about a composer. There are plenty of songs to observe in order to further understand how music works, no matter what area of study the student has chosen. Writing about music involves learning these elements as well as charting any personal progress over time to move closer to using these compositional techniques in their own songwriting.

Music Research Topic idea 13- Music Festivals

A music topic to research that is a little bit unusual would be to research music festivals. Music festivals have a long and varied history. From ancient music festivals that celebrated a variety of religious and cultural events, such as the Dionysius Festival in Athens, music festivals are still vital to many cultures around the world. Music festivals have grown exponentially since then and even today they continue to fascinate people globally.

Today, music festivals can range from traditional, classical music performances in concert halls all the way to modern music performances with huge stages and pyrotechnics at large outdoor concerts drawing tens of thousands of fans. Those looking to research this topic of music have a wealth of options. From legendary music composers or artists, music industry trends and the economic benefits, to exploring how music is used as a tool for activism, research on music festivals can be incredibly rewarding for any music student to study.

Music Research Topic idea 14- Music and Technology

The history of music technology has been a fascinating area of music research throughout the years. By exploring music topics related to music technology, your music students can learn more about the music we love and how it came to be. Writing about music technology can take several approaches; from a technical breakdown of specific instruments to an exploration of its roots in social movements, there are music topics for research on music technology spanning almost any interest. Investigating music technology and its influence on music as an artform and the history can open new perspectives into how music is created, performed, and enjoyed today.

Some music technology research topics include:

History of Recording
History of the Microphone
History of Electronic Instruments
History of Amplification
Or even try a music research topic explaining “How does a …. Work”?

Music Research Topic idea 15- Music for the Stage

Writing about and researching music can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to music for the stage. Depending on the specific topic your student chooses to research, music for theatre plays or musicals could range from orchestral and classical music pieces, to jazz and rock ensembles. In some cases, music for the stage could even be used as accompaniment for spoken words, stories or even dance. Regardless of what type of music is chosen to study, researching music topics about music for the stage allows your music students to further explore genres and understand how music is used in a theatrical context. By studying different types of music from various time periods and regions, your student’s music research paper will become more well-rounded and engaging.

Some Music for the Stage topics include:

Musical Theatre
Contemporary Dance

These 15 music research topics provide plenty of ideas for creating engaging lessons, research projects, and assignments that focus on both fundamental aspects of musical theory while still allowing room for creativity within each topic itself! Letting your students explore these music topics independently gives them access to invaluable information regarding various aspects related to making and enjoying great music regardless of its musical origin. So why not try one of these 15 fun music research topics with your music classes this year. By using some of these fun music research topics with your classes, you might find teaching music this way will help to ensure your class stays engaged while expanding their understanding of music appreciation!

Until next time

Happy Teaching

Julia from Jooya

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Music: Research Methods

Popular Music
Databases and indexes
Call numbers

Research Methods

Dictionaries and encyclopedias
Composition and Creative Music Technology
Music, culture and place
Music history
Music in Australia
Teaching Music
Drumming Traditions of West Africa
Digital collections
Special collections
Academic writing
Introduction
Qualitative and Quantitative Methodology
Artistic Research
Autoethnography
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Narrative Inquiry
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Oxford Handbooks
Methodology of Music Research

Many books about research methodology introduce the reader to a range of existing methods. This page selects online resources relevant to music and interdisciplinary studies and some books only have a chapter, or a case study, that applies to music, performance or creative practice. If you are seeking a particular kind of research methodology, you can meet a librarian online , or email [email protected].

SAGE research methods online SAGE Research Methods Online (SRMO) is a research methods tool created to help researchers, faculty and students with their research projects. Researchers can browse by methods to help them design research projects, understand particular methods or identify a new method. Since SRMO focuses on methodology rather than disciplines, it is best to use music as a keyword in order to find applications to music research. You can also use the Methods Map to read definitions of key terminology, or to find narrower definitions for qualitative data analysis or research design.

Sage research methods foundations SAGE Research Methods Foundations provides a concise introduction to methods and research terms for those who are new to research in general or to that particular method. While a general search can provide an overwhelming number of results, SAGE Research Methods Foundations offers a targeted list of entries to guide users through the content. The navigation menu puts the entry in context, so users can easily find more general topics related to a method or continue on to more specific sub-topics. There is an A-Z section on the innovators of methods, with profiles that evaluate their contributions. The content ranges from Participatory and Arts-Based Research, Analysis of Material Culture, Narrative Research, Autobiography to Sampling.

The Sage Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods includes the following entry: Music in Qualitative Research

The SAGE Handbook of Digital Dissertations and Theses includes the following chapter: Practice-as-Research in Music Performance

The Orpheus Institute Series aims to enhance and advance discourse in the field of artistic research in music and to generate future work. A number of titles in the series are found below. The library has access to all the titles through JSTOR .

Oxford Handbooks Online brings together the world's leading scholars to write review essays that evaluate the current thinking on a field or topic. You can search simultaneously across all handbooks by keywords. Methodologies are discussed in the following selectied chapters:

Toward a Methodology for Research into the Revival of Musical Life after War, Natural Disaster, Bans on All Music, or Neglect by Margaret Kartomi from The Oxford handbook of music revival (2014) Music-Making As Data: Collection and Analysis by Kristen Pellegrino from The Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Research in American Music Education (2014) Creating a Framework for Music Making and Leisure: Max Kaplan Leads the Way by Marie McCarthy from the Oxford handbook of music making and leisure (2017) Introduction: Situating Country Music Studies by Travis D. Stimeling from The Oxford handbook of country music studies (2017)

Methodology of Music Research is a series published by Peter Lang in Switzerland.

Research Catalogue A non-commercial, collaboration and publishing platform for artistic research provided by the Society for Artistic Research which is free to use for artists and researchers. It aims to provide resources for teaching purposes, student assessment, peer review workflows and research funding administration.
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Front Psychol

Editorial: The Impact of Music on Human Development and Well-Being

Graham f. welch.

1 Department of Culture, Communication and Media, University College London, London, United Kingdom

Michele Biasutti

2 Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

Jennifer MacRitchie

3 School of Humanities and Communication Arts, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia

Gary E. McPherson

4 Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Evangelos Himonides

Music is one of the most universal ways of expression and communication for humankind and is present in the everyday lives of people of all ages and from all cultures around the world (Mehr et al., 2019 ). Hence, it seems more appropriate to talk about musics (plural) rather than in the singular (Goble, 2015 ). Furthermore, research by anthropologists as well as ethnomusicologists suggests that music has been a characteristic of the human condition for millennia (cf. Blacking, 1976 ; Brown, 1999 ; Mithen, 2005 ; Dissanayake, 2012 ; Higham et al., 2012 ; Cross, 2016 ). Nevertheless, whilst the potential for musical behavior is a characteristic of all human beings, its realization is shaped by the environment and the experiences of individuals, often within groups (North and Hargreaves, 2008 ; Welch and McPherson, 2018 ). Listening to music, singing, playing (informally, formally), creating (exploring, composing, improvising), whether individually and collectively, are common activities for the vast majority of people. Music represents an enjoyable activity in and of itself, but its influence goes beyond simple amusement.

These activities not only allow the expression of personal inner states and feelings, but also can bring about many positive effects in those who engage in them. There is an increasing body of empirical and experimental studies concerning the wider benefits of musical activity, and research in the sciences associated with music suggests that there are many dimensions of human life—including physical, social, educational, psychological (cognitive and emotional)—which can be affected positively by successful engagement in music (Biasutti and Concina, 2013 ). Learning in and through music is something that can happen formally (such as part of structured lessons in school), as well as in other-than-formal situations, such as in the home with family and friends, often non-sequentially and not necessarily intentional, and where participation in music learning is voluntary, rather than mandated, such as in a community setting (cf. Green, 2002 ; Folkestad, 2006 ; Saether, 2016 ; Welch and McPherson, 2018 ).

Such benefits are evidenced across the lifespan, including early childhood (Gerry et al., 2012 ; Williams et al., 2015 ; Linnavalli et al., 2018 ), adolescence (McFerran et al., 2018 ), and older adulthood (Lindblad and de Boise, 2020 ). Within these lifespan perspectives, research into music's contribution to health and well-being provides evidence of physical and psychological impacts (MacDonald et al., 2013 ; Fancourt and Finn, 2019 ; van den Elzen et al., 2019 ). Benefits are also reported in terms of young people's educational outcomes (Guhn et al., 2019 ), and successful musical activity can enhance an individual's sense of social inclusion (Welch et al., 2014 ) and social cohesion (Elvers et al., 2017 ).

Author Contributions

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

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April guide to the arts at the U

Joel Lamere (center), professor and director of the graduate program in the School of Architecture, conducts a review of first year graduate students' first project of the semester in The Thomas P. Murphy Design Studio Building.

By Brittney Bomnin Garcia [email protected] 03-29-2024

Explore a roundup of events this month, including concerts, exhibitions, and undergraduate student presentations during the annual Research, Creativity, and Innovation Forum. Learn more about The U Creates —the University’s digital hub for the arts, culture, and creative expression—and view the full calendar of events .

Saturday, April 6, 7:30 p.m. | in person and streaming, purchase tickets

Frost Music Live!: Schubertiade for Violin and Piano

Frost School of Music’s piano professors will join renowned violinist Charles Castleman to unveil the magic of Franz Schubert. A tradition that began in 1815 honoring the then 18-year-old Schubert, the Schubertiade originated as an unpublicized, informal concert of his music, but quickly spread throughout Europe, and eventually to the United States. Purchase tickets .

Newman Recital Hall, Knight Center for Music Innovation, 5513 San Amaro Dr, Coral Gables, FL 33146

Monday, April 8, 6:30 p.m. | in person, free event

Book Talk: ‘Roman Satire’

With particular attention to authorial and national identity, artistic self-definition, and literary reception, Jennifer Ferriss-Hill, professor of classics and senior associate dean for faculty affairs and college diversity at the College of Arts and Sciences, shows how four ancient Latin poets—Lucilius, Horace, Persius, and Juvenal—asked and answered these questions between the second century BCE and the second century CE as they invented and reinvented the genre of Roman verse Satire. Save your seat .

Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, FL 33134

Tuesday, April 9, noon | virtual, free event

Slow Looking with the Lowe: Highlights from the Campus Art Collection

During this virtual program, Tola Porter, Lowe Art Museum educator for academic and public programs, will lead participants through a 30-minute mindful and interactive session exploring selected artworks from the Lowe’s collection. Sign up now .

Lowe Art Museum, 1301 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146

Wednesday, Apr. 10, noon to 4 p.m. | in person, free event

Research, Creativity, and Innovation Forum (RCIF)

The Office of Undergraduate Research and Community Outreach offers students from all disciplines the opportunity to present their research to a wide audience consisting of their peers, faculty and staff members, and the larger University community. In collaboration with the Center for the Humanities, RCIF has added a panel presentation component this year for students and peers to develop their presentation skills and further engage with their research in the humanities. Learn more .

Donna E. Shalala Student Center, 1330 Miller Drive, Miami, FL 33146

Thursday, April 11, 4 p.m. | in person, free event

Edith Bleich Lecture Series: Jennifer V. Evans, professor of history at Carleton University in Canada

In her lecture, “Why We Need Queer Kinship Now More Than Ever,” Evans asks how the queer and trans past has often been drawn upon to make a series of claims about liberal democracy itself, including the place of identity in rights-based discourses of experience, policy, and governance. Register now .

Otto G. Richter Library, Third Floor Conference Room, 1300 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146

Thursday and Friday, April 11–12 | in person, purchase tickets

Smart Cities MIAMI 2024

The School of Architecture, in collaboration with the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing, will host the 8th Annual Smart Cities Conference . This event will explore the theme of artificial intelligence in design, offering a platform to delve into the cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of architecture. Registration is $50 per person.

Lakeside Village Expo Center, 1280 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146

Saturday, April 13, 6 p.m. | in person, free event

M.F.A. in Creative Writing thesis reading

Graduate students Guillermo Leon, Dorie Spangler, and Swetha Siva, who are pursuing Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, will share their thesis. This event is open to the public.

Thursday April 17, 6 p.m. | in person, free event

Lowe Connects: Exploring Art, Marine Biology, and Engineering to Address Climate Challenges

U-Link partners from the departments of art and art history, marine biology, and engineering will speak about the connection between scientific research, engineering, and art. Guests will learn about the ways that the University of Miami is catalyzing interdisciplinary collaboration to advance knowledge on the impacts of climate change and other stressors, and the development of practical solutions to meet society’s changing needs. Register now .

Mindfulness programs are offered virtually at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and in person at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays at the Otto G. Richter Library.

Friday and Saturday, April 19-20 and Friday and Saturday, April 26-27 | in person, purchase tickets

‘Urinetown, the Musical’

Join the revolt in a dystopian future where water is worth its weight in gold, and one of the most basic human needs is under the control of an evil bureaucracy. Wickedly witty, this Tony Award- winning musical satire pokes fun at politics, social irresponsibility, capitalism, and musical theater itself. University students and staff and faculty members can use code THSUTOWN before selecting their seats to receive a discount. University students can obtain free entry to an 8 p.m. show Thursday, April 25, by presenting a valid ’Cane ID. Purchase tickets .

Jerry Herman Ring Theatre, 1312 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146

Saturday, April 20, 6 p.m. | in person, free event

Catherine Kramer: ‘Known/Unknown’

On view from April 5 through April 26, the University community is invited to the opening reception of “Known/Unknown,” an exhibition by Master of Fine Arts candidate Catherine Kramer. Drawing inspiration from Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung and his process of active imagination, Kramer intentionally works with subconsciously produced imagery while creating her artwork. Learn more .

University of Miami Wynwood Gallery, 2750 NW Third Ave., Suite 4, Miami, FL 33127

On view now through Saturday, April 20 | in person

The Annual Juried Exhibition

Organized by the Department of Art and Art History and hosted by the Lowe Art Museum, the exhibition features works of art across various media created by undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Miami. Learn more .

Monday, April 22, 4 p.m. | in person and streaming, free event

Adobe Scholars Reception

Meet and engage with the 2023-2024 Adobe Scholars as they share the results of their projects. This event is free to attend and open to the public. The online component of this hybrid event will be hosted using Zoom software. Sign up to participate .

Monday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. | in person, free event

‘Sing Sing’

Attend a sneak preview of “Sing Sing,” the story of an inmate at the infamous Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, NY, who forms a theater troupe with his fellow prisoners. Admission is free. Registration is required .

Bill Cosford Cinema, Dooly Memorial 225, 5030 Brunson Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146

Thursday April 25, 6 p.m. | in person, free event

ArtLab | Miya Ando: Sky Writing lecture and reception

Join the Lowe for a talk and reception featuring artist Miya Ando to celebrate the ArtLab 2024 exhibition, Miya Ando: Sky Writing, on view through Saturday, June 1. This student-curated exhibition features multimedia works by Miya Ando, whose oeuvre explores nature’s ever-changing moods and the fragility of human existence. Register to attend .

Thursday, April 25, 7:30 p.m. | in person and streaming, purchase tickets

Frost Music Live!: Michel Camilo and the Frost Latin Jazz Orchestra

Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York, Michel Camilo bridges the genres of jazz, classical, popular and world music with his artistry and virtuosity. The Grammy, Latin Grammy, and Emmy Award-winner joins forces for one night only with the Frost Latin Jazz Orchestra and Cuban drummer Dafnis Prieto. Purchase tickets .

Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, Frost School of Music, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146

Saturday, April 27, 7:30 p.m. | in person and streaming, purchase tickets

Frost Music Live!: Beethoven’s 9th

The Frost Symphony Orchestra season finale presents a symphonic masterwork alongside four American orchestral miniatures by Augusta Reed Thomas, Bernard Rands, Daren Hagan, and Chen Yi. Purchase tickets .

Featured: RCIF Humanities Hub

As part of the Research, Creativity, and Innovation Forum, the Humanities Hub will feature representatives from the University's humanities departments to provide attendees with information about the humanities as well as answers to specific questions about fields of study, research pursuits, and career opportunities. The Humanities Hub aims to create a stronger connection between research and the humanities within the undergraduate student body and also promotes the different ways in which students can get involved in the humanities.

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Regions & Countries

Most americans favor legalizing marijuana for medical, recreational use, legalizing recreational marijuana viewed as good for local economies; mixed views of impact on drug use, community safety.

Pew Research Center conducted this study to understand the public’s views about the legalization of marijuana in the United States. For this analysis, we surveyed 5,140 adults from Jan. 16 to Jan. 21, 2024. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the ATP’s methodology .

Here are the questions used for the report and its methodology .

As more states pass laws legalizing marijuana for recreational use , Americans continue to favor legalization of both medical and recreational use of the drug.

Pie chart shows Only about 1 in 10 U.S. adults say marijuana should not be legal at all

An overwhelming share of U.S. adults (88%) say marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational use.

Nearly six-in-ten Americans (57%) say that marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational purposes, while roughly a third (32%) say that marijuana should be legal for medical use only.

Just 11% of Americans say that the drug should not be legal at all.

Opinions about marijuana legalization have changed little over the past five years, according to the Pew Research Center survey, conducted Jan. 16-21, 2024, among 5,14o adults.

The impact of legalizing marijuana for recreational use

While a majority of Americans continue to say marijuana should be legal , there are varying views about the impacts of recreational legalization.

Chart shows How Americans view the effects of legalizing recreational marijuana

About half of Americans (52%) say that legalizing the recreational use of marijuana is good for local economies; just 17% think it is bad and 29% say it has no impact.

More adults also say legalizing marijuana for recreational use makes the criminal justice system more fair (42%) than less fair (18%); 38% say it has no impact.

However, Americans have mixed views on the impact of legalizing marijuana for recreational use on:

Use of other drugs: About as many say it increases (29%) as say it decreases (27%) the use of other drugs, like heroin, fentanyl and cocaine (42% say it has no impact).
Community safety: More Americans say legalizing recreational marijuana makes communities less safe (34%) than say it makes them safer (21%); 44% say it has no impact.

Partisan differences on impact of recreational use of marijuana

There are deep partisan divisions regarding the impact of marijuana legalization for recreational use.

Chart shows Democrats more positive than Republicans on impact of legalizing marijuana

Majorities of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say legalizing recreational marijuana is good for local economies (64% say this) and makes the criminal justice system fairer (58%).

Fewer Republicans and Republican leaners say legalization for recreational use has a positive effect on local economies (41%) and the criminal justice system (27%).

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to cite downsides from legalizing recreational marijuana:

42% of Republicans say it increases the use of other drugs, like heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, compared with just 17% of Democrats.
48% of Republicans say it makes communities less safe, more than double the share of Democrats (21%) who say this.

Demographic, partisan differences in views of marijuana legalization

Sizable age and partisan differences persist on the issue of marijuana legalization though small shares of adults across demographic groups are completely opposed to it.

Chart shows Views about legalizing marijuana differ by race and ethnicity, age, partisanship

Older adults are far less likely than younger adults to favor marijuana legalization.

This is particularly the case among adults ages 75 and older: 31% say marijuana should be legal for both medical and recreational use.

By comparison, half of adults between the ages of 65 and 74 say marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use, and larger shares in younger age groups say the same.

Republicans continue to be less supportive than Democrats of legalizing marijuana for both legal and recreational use: 42% of Republicans favor legalizing marijuana for both purposes, compared with 72% of Democrats.

There continue to be ideological differences within each party:

34% of conservative Republicans say marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use, compared with a 57% majority of moderate and liberal Republicans.
62% of conservative and moderate Democrats say marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use, while an overwhelming majority of liberal Democrats (84%) say this.

Views of marijuana legalization vary by age within both parties

Along with differences by party and age, there are also age differences within each party on the issue.

Chart shows Large age differences in both parties in views of legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use

A 57% majority of Republicans ages 18 to 29 favor making marijuana legal for medical and recreational use, compared with 52% among those ages 30 to 49 and much smaller shares of older Republicans.

Still, wide majorities of Republicans in all age groups favor legalizing marijuana at least for medical use. Among those ages 65 and older, just 20% say marijuana should not be legal even for medical purposes.

While majorities of Democrats across all age groups support legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use, older Democrats are less likely to say this.

About half of Democrats ages 75 and older (53%) say marijuana should be legal for both purposes, but much larger shares of younger Democrats say the same (including 81% of Democrats ages 18 to 29). Still, only 7% of Democrats ages 65 and older think marijuana should not be legalized even for medical use, similar to the share of all other Democrats who say this.

Views of the effects of legalizing recreational marijuana among racial and ethnic groups

Chart shows Hispanic and Asian adults more likely than Black and White adults to say legalizing recreational marijuana negatively impacts safety, use of other drugs

Substantial shares of Americans across racial and ethnic groups say when marijuana is legal for recreational use, it has a more positive than negative impact on the economy and criminal justice system.

About half of White (52%), Black (53%) and Hispanic (51%) adults say legalizing recreational marijuana is good for local economies. A slightly smaller share of Asian adults (46%) say the same.

Criminal justice

Across racial and ethnic groups, about four-in-ten say that recreational marijuana being legal makes the criminal justice system fairer, with smaller shares saying it would make it less fair.

However, there are wider racial differences on questions regarding the impact of recreational marijuana on the use of other drugs and the safety of communities.

Use of other drugs

Nearly half of Black adults (48%) say recreational marijuana legalization doesn’t have an effect on the use of drugs like heroin, fentanyl and cocaine. Another 32% in this group say it decreases the use of these drugs and 18% say it increases their use.

In contrast, Hispanic adults are slightly more likely to say legal marijuana increases the use of these other drugs (39%) than to say it decreases this use (30%); 29% say it has no impact.

Among White adults, the balance of opinion is mixed: 28% say marijuana legalization increases the use of other drugs and 25% say it decreases their use (45% say it has no impact). Views among Asian adults are also mixed, though a smaller share (31%) say legalization has no impact on the use of other drugs.

Community safety

Hispanic and Asian adults also are more likely to say marijuana’s legalization makes communities less safe: 41% of Hispanic adults and 46% of Asian adults say this, compared with 34% of White adults and 24% of Black adults.

Wide age gap on views of impact of legalizing recreational marijuana

Chart shows Young adults far more likely than older people to say legalizing recreational marijuana has positive impacts

Young Americans view the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in more positive terms compared with their older counterparts.

Clear majorities of adults under 30 say it is good for local economies (71%) and that it makes the criminal justice system fairer (59%).

By comparison, a third of Americans ages 65 and older say legalizing the recreational use of marijuana is good for local economies; about as many (32%) say it makes the criminal justice system more fair.

There also are sizable differences in opinion by age about how legalizing recreational marijuana affects the use of other drugs and the safety of communities.

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Table of contents, most americans now live in a legal marijuana state – and most have at least one dispensary in their county, 7 facts about americans and marijuana, americans overwhelmingly say marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational use, clear majorities of black americans favor marijuana legalization, easing of criminal penalties, religious americans are less likely to endorse legal marijuana for recreational use, most popular.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

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Research: How Different Fields Are Using GenAI to Redefine Roles

Maryam Alavi

Examples from customer support, management consulting, professional writing, legal analysis, and software and technology.

The interactive, conversational, analytical, and generative features of GenAI offer support for creativity, problem-solving, and processing and digestion of large bodies of information. Therefore, these features can act as cognitive resources for knowledge workers. Moreover, the capabilities of GenAI can mitigate various hindrances to effective performance that knowledge workers may encounter in their jobs, including time pressure, gaps in knowledge and skills, and negative feelings (such as boredom stemming from repetitive tasks or frustration arising from interactions with dissatisfied customers). Empirical research and field observations have already begun to reveal the value of GenAI capabilities and their potential for job crafting.

There is an expectation that implementing new and emerging Generative AI (GenAI) tools enhances the effectiveness and competitiveness of organizations. This belief is evidenced by current and planned investments in GenAI tools, especially by firms in knowledge-intensive industries such as finance, healthcare, and entertainment, among others. According to forecasts, enterprise spending on GenAI will increase by two-fold in 2024 and grow to $151.1 billion by 2027 .

Maryam Alavi is the Elizabeth D. & Thomas M. Holder Chair & Professor of IT Management, Scheller College of Business, Georgia Institute of Technology .

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120 Music Research Paper Topics
Music Industry Research Paper Topics: The impact of streaming services on music consumption patterns. The role of social media in promoting and marketing music. The effects of piracy on the music industry. The influence of technology on music production and distribution. The relationship between music and mental health.
The Top 10 Most Interesting Music Research Topics
Your music research paper could outline some of these factors that affect music consumer behavior and highlight their mechanism of action. 2. Hip-hop Culture and Its Effect on Teenage Behavior. In 2020, hip-hop and RnB had the highest streaming numbers, according to Statista.
Best 100 Music Research Topics of All Times
Then you absolutely need to check out our exceptional list of music argument topics: Music today is better than music in the 90s. The most lucrative career for a musician. Music helps you memorize faster. The most popular kind of metal music. The evolution of blues songs over the last 30 years. Music helps children develop faster.
500+ Music Research Topics
500+ Music Research Topics. March 25, 2024. by Muhammad Hassan. Music is a universal language that has the power to evoke emotions, bring people together, and express complex ideas and feelings. As a result, it has been the subject of extensive research and analysis across a wide range of fields, from psychology and neuroscience to sociology ...
206 Best Music Research Topics That Rock The Stage
Music History Research Topics. Use of songwriting in relation to the political and social situations in Nazi Germany and the French Revolution. Musical Education between two centuries. Evolution in the definition of music over the centuries. Birth of Music in Mesopotamia. Impact of Arab-Andalusian music on renaissance.
200 Best Music Research Paper Topics For Students
Music research topics are an excellent opportunity to trace the history of the development of individual genres or entire eras. You can create an essay or research paper with an emphasis on certain stylistic features, or delve deeper into the technical aspects of album making. Also, the research topics in music allow you to learn more about ...
Music & Science: Sage Journals
Music & Science is a new peer-reviewed open access online journal published by Sage in association with SEMPRE. The journal's point of departure is the idea that science—or, more accurately, the sciences—can help us to make sense of music and its significance in our lives. ... Sage Research Methods Supercharging research opens in new tab ...
Research Studies in Music Education: Sage Journals
This internationally peer-reviewed journal, published on behalf of SEMPRE, promotes the dissemination and discussion of high quality research in music and music education. The journal encourages the interrogation and development of a range of research methodologies and their application to diverse topics in music education theory and practice.
Research Guides: Online Resources for Music Scholars: Home
The Loeb Music Library maintains a database of links to help you find websites for research on a wide variety of topics in music. It collects links to: archival collections, full-text databases, online scores, and sound and video recordings; music reference works, article indexes, discographies, and bibliographies; websites of scholarly ...
Home
Full, study, piano, and vocal scores of music from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, available for use online or printed/saved to PDF. Online Audio: Naxos Music Library. Classical, world, jazz, and folk recordings, with biographical information, opera synopses and libretti, glossaries and pronunciation guides.
Music's power over our brains
Meanwhile, in conjunction with the Global Council on Brain Health's strong endorsement of more research on music and brain health, an AARP survey of 3,185 adults found that music has a small but statistically significant impact on people's self-reported mental well-being, depression and anxiety. Others are examining whether music ...
Journal of Research in Music Education: Sage Journals
Journal of Research in Music Education is a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal comprising reports of original research related to music teaching and learning. The wide range of topics includes various aspects of music pedagogy, history, and philosophy, and addresses vocal, instrumental, and general music at all levels, from early childhood through adult.
Music in the brain
This neuroscience research opens a window to perhaps the most challenging question about music: how music becomes meaningful 228,229. Accordingly, we speculate that one of the things that makes ...
Frontiers
Music is one of the most universal ways of expression and communication for humankind and is present in the everyday lives of people of all ages and from all cultures around the world (Mehr et al., 2019).Hence, it seems more appropriate to talk about musics (plural) rather than in the singular (Goble, 2015).Furthermore, research by anthropologists as well as ethnomusicologists suggests that ...
The Value of Ethnographic Research on Music: An Introduction
Ethnographic research on music thus provides an important lens through which to understand distinct cultural worlds. In this introductory article we consider the value of research on music—for the communities for whom it is a highly valued form of cultural expression and for the produced understandings of peoples' social worlds. Extending ...
Research a Topic
It may also be accessed online through Oxford Music Online. Articles include bibliographies, which may get you started on your research. The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music is an excellent source on music of all the world's peoples. The print volumes can be found in Music Reference: ML 100 .G161 1998. It may also be accessed online. 2. Books
Developing Topics & Research Questions
A research question, when not too broad or too narrow, helps guide and focus your paper. The question should also be one in which you haven't decided on a pre-determined answer. You may find that looking for sources that provide a certain answer may be too limiting. The answer you are expecting might not be supported by evidence.
216 Fantastic Music Topics
Fantastic Music Topics For Research. The evolution of the electric guitar in rock music. The cultural significance of the sitar in Indian music. The impact of synthesizers on contemporary music production. The use of technology in the creation and performance of music. The influence of Beyoncé on modern pop music.
Music research
Music research portals. The electronic research guide from Harvard's Loeb Music Library, with many free resources covering musicology, music theory, composition, ethnomusicology, and more. MusRef, a portal from the music library at Brigham Young University, includes an online bibliography of reference sources for music, both print and online ...
150+ Most Popular Music Research Topics for Writing
Below are some examples of topics related to popular music research: 1. The use of information technology (IT) in today's music industry. 2. The politics behind the use of the word "pop" in mainstream U.S. pop culture. 3.
15 Fun Music Topics to Research Ideas for Your Music ...
Most music topics to research fall under the following broader categories -. Musician of Composer Biography. Music History. Music Theory. Music Genres. Music of a Culture. Stylistic Features of a Genre. Elements of Music Analysis. History of Musical Instruments.
Research Methods
Good chapters on writing about music, analysis and research, from choosing a topic through outlining, writing the draft, editing and revising. It offers tips on seminar presentations, concert reports, and program notes. There is a sample research paper in the appendix that illustrates formats.
Editorial: The Impact of Music on Human Development and Well-Being
Music is one of the most universal ways of expression and communication for humankind and is present in the everyday lives of people of all ages and from all cultures around the world (Mehr et al., 2019).Hence, it seems more appropriate to talk about musics (plural) rather than in the singular (Goble, 2015).Furthermore, research by anthropologists as well as ethnomusicologists suggests that ...
April guide to the arts at the U
Explore a roundup of events this month, including concerts, exhibitions, and undergraduate student presentations during the annual Research, Creativity, and Innovation Forum. Learn more about The U Creates—the University's digital hub for the arts, culture, and creative expression—and view the ...
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Legalizing Marijuana for Medical, Recreational ...
As more states pass laws legalizing marijuana for recreational use, Americans continue to favor legalization of both medical and recreational use of the drug.. An overwhelming share of U.S. adults (88%) say marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational use.. Nearly six-in-ten Americans (57%) say that marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational purposes, while roughly a third ...
Research: How Different Fields Are Using GenAI to Redefine Roles
The interactive, conversational, analytical, and generative features of GenAI offer support for creativity, problem-solving, and processing and digestion of large bodies of information. Therefore ...

120 Music Research Paper Topics

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The Top 10 Most Interesting Music Research Topics

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Top 10 Music Research Paper Topics

2. Hip-hop Culture and Its Effect on Teenage Behavior

3. The Application of Music as a Therapeutic Tool

4. Contemporary Rock Music and Its Association With Harmful Social Practices

5. The Impact of Streaming Apps on Global Music Consumption

6. Effective American Music Education Practices

7. The Evolution of Music Production in the Technology-driven Era

8. Jazz Music and Its Influence on Western Music Genres

9. The Effect of Wars on Music

10. African Tribal Percussion

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