Body and Force in Music: Metaphoric Constructions in Music Psychology (SEMPRE Studies in The Psychology of Music)

Body and Force in Music: Metaphoric Constructions in Music Psychology is a sophisticated scholarly work that explores how bodily experience and metaphoric thinking shape the way we understand, feel, and interpret music. Published as part of the respected SEMPRE Studies in The Psychology of Music series, this volume bridges cognitive science, music theory, and psychology to explain how listeners conceptualize musical movement, tension, energy, and emotion.

Music is often described using physical and force-related metaphors—melodies “rise” and “fall,” harmonies “push” and “pull,” rhythms “drive” forward, and chords create “tension” and “release.” This book examines how these metaphoric constructions are grounded in embodied cognition—the idea that our physical experiences influence abstract thinking. Drawing on research in music psychology and cognitive linguistics, the volume demonstrates how bodily sensations and spatial understanding shape musical perception.

Key Features:

• 🎵 Explores embodied cognition in music perception

• 🧠 Analyzes metaphors of movement, force, and tension in music

• 📘 Part of the respected SEMPRE Studies series

• 🔬 Research-based and theoretically rich discussion

• 🎓 Ideal for advanced students and researchers

• 🎼 Bridges music theory, psychology, and cognitive science