Spatial and bodily metaphors in narrating the experience of listening to sad music

Abstract

Abstract. This study focuses on the a ffective experiences of listening to self - identified sad music. Previous studies have concentrated on the emotions induced by music by r ationalizing and labelling emotions. However, focusing on such categorization leaves the subjective experiences of the individual aside. The aim of this article is to broaden the methodology of studying music and emotion by analyzing the metaphorical langu age used in the narratives about the subjective experience of listening to music. A total of 373 participants answered to open - ended questions about the experiences of listening to sad music via an online - survey. The responses were then analyzed using syst ematic thematic analysis concentrating on the metaphors used in participants ’ narratives. The aim was to identify interesting themes not usually attainable through conventional self - report methods. The analysis thus focused on how affective experiences wer e narrated, and what kinds of metaphors and metonymies were used in describing them. The narratives were put into two categories: (I) spatial metaphors, and (II) metaphors of movement. The analysis also showed similarities in metaphorical mappings of the l istening experience and its conceptualization by individuals.