Ongoing History Daily: Close your eyes and get into the music

Have you ever noticed how many musicians close their eyes when they sing? Scientists who study the effect music has on the brain think they know why.

This is an unconscious neurological action that heightens the emotional effect of music. It began when researchers discovered that people found scary music more scary if they listened with their eyes closed. It has to do with a part of the brain called the amygdala. Closing your eyes while performing or listening to music shuts out the outside world, which helps to send the amygdala into overdrive, forcing you to feel more of the music.

That’s why both performers and listeners can’t help but close their eyes so they can get more into the music.