Specific musical anhedonia

Jelke · 03-23-2014, 02:36 PM

Hi Guys!

So let me first tell you something about myself: I'm 15 years old and live in the Netherlands (wow!). I've played the piano for 7 years but I recently stopped playing because I didn't really had fun in doing it for the last 3 years.

A few days ago my biology teacher (who is a super rock fan) talked about the brain and the recent discovery of 'specific musical anhedonia'. She said that some people don't feel any joy or emotions in and while listening to music. The whole class was just absolutely shocked and I was like: well who does!?

The whole class was just speechless about it, they were all laughing about me and stuff, like I was joking! But seriously guys: I DON'T FEEL EMOTIONS OR PHYSICAL REACTIONS WHILE LISTINING TO MUSIC. It's not like I'm a hater or something, I like the artists for their looks and enthousiasm, but i'm completely neutral if I hear a song.

After doing some research on the internet I found out that 1 to 5% of the world's population has specific musical anhedonia. There are some other 'syndroms' related to music, but those people can't feel music because they can't distinguish certain tones and pitches. Other syndroms relate to 'the lack of sociality and depressions. But I don't have those things! I like food, I love, other people, I've got lots and lots of good friends, I'm interested in money and I'm one of the happiest persons on the world!

So why am I sharing this with music lovers?? (Now that I am thinking about it; what a dumbass am I....) I just discovered that people can feel emotions while listening to music... I can't really comprehend it yet... I am kinda sad that I probably miss so much good feelings that you guys have...

I wanted to let you know that I think all people are awesome as they are. I want to let all the 'normal' people know that people who aren't feeling emotions for music are not depressive people, are no haters, are no stupid jerks who are pissing of other people. The reaction of my classmates in the biology class was probably the most shocking for me... After 15 years of listening music I never thought why people where really doing it...

I hope you guys understand me... sorry for the bad english

best regards
A boy with specific musical anhedonia

03-23-2014, 02:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jelke Groupie Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 0	Specific musical anhedonia Hi Guys! So let me first tell you something about myself: I'm 15 years old and live in the Netherlands (wow!). I've played the piano for 7 years but I recently stopped playing because I didn't really had fun in doing it for the last 3 years. A few days ago my biology teacher (who is a super rock fan) talked about the brain and the recent discovery of 'specific musical anhedonia'. She said that some people don't feel any joy or emotions in and while listening to music. The whole class was just absolutely shocked and I was like: well who does!? The whole class was just speechless about it, they were all laughing about me and stuff, like I was joking! But seriously guys: I DON'T FEEL EMOTIONS OR PHYSICAL REACTIONS WHILE LISTINING TO MUSIC. It's not like I'm a hater or something, I like the artists for their looks and enthousiasm, but i'm completely neutral if I hear a song. After doing some research on the internet I found out that 1 to 5% of the world's population has specific musical anhedonia. There are some other 'syndroms' related to music, but those people can't feel music because they can't distinguish certain tones and pitches. Other syndroms relate to 'the lack of sociality and depressions. But I don't have those things! I like food, I love, other people, I've got lots and lots of good friends, I'm interested in money and I'm one of the happiest persons on the world! So why am I sharing this with music lovers?? (Now that I am thinking about it; what a dumbass am I....) I just discovered that people can feel emotions while listening to music... I can't really comprehend it yet... I am kinda sad that I probably miss so much good feelings that you guys have... I wanted to let you know that I think all people are awesome as they are. I want to let all the 'normal' people know that people who aren't feeling emotions for music are not depressive people, are no haters, are no stupid jerks who are pissing of other people. The reaction of my classmates in the biology class was probably the most shocking for me... After 15 years of listening music I never thought why people where really doing it... I hope you guys understand me... sorry for the bad english best regards A boy with specific musical anhedonia