(Photo credit: The Opera House)

Findings from the new study, “How Can Lighting Enhance Your Perceptual Music Listening Experience?” suggests that lighting has a strong influence on people’s experience while listening to music.

Seonghyuk Son, Jae Yong Suk, Kristina Knowles, and Dongwoo (Jason) Yeom found that indoor lighting of various hues so strongly influences listeners’ experiences that musical venues, health-care settings, and even homeowners might wish to reconsider their lighting choices for maximal effect and enjoyment of their music.

The team conducted experiments in a room outfitted with 12 LED smart lights and a lighting control system, which enabled researchers to adjust lighting CCT and color. The participants were exposed to four different lighting conditions along with “happy music” and “sad music.” The tests measured music perception, such as positivity rating.

What they gleaned from this study is that lighting and music have real affects for concert halls and in health-care settings. Yeom, said in a press release that, “The research also has implications for improving well-being, mood regulation and even recovery for patients in long-term care settings. Our study helps give them a clearer direction, so lighting choices can be more intentional and emotionally supportive rather than just aesthetic.”

The team published their findings in the November issue of the journal, “Lighting Design & Application.”