An electrophysiologic approch to classical music within the context of tonality and atonality

Under the main heading "Brain Responsivity in Music" this dissertation is performed using the theoretical and methodological tools of two different disiplines, namely biophysics and musicology given the hypothesis that "tonal note combinations are more preferred than atonal note combinations", the effects of tonal and atonal chords with melodies in the brain are observed. While the electrophysiological responses to these note combinations are measured, at the same time the influence of these notes combinations on music taste and emotions is examined, as well. In evaluation of the findings within the context of the literature it is concluded that the tonal and atonal note combinations result in impacts in line with the hypothesis. In this dissertation which focuses on female musicians and non-musicians, participants consisted of 20 volunteers including 10 musicians (pianists) and 10 non-musicians who were healthy, right-handed, females, aged 19 to 45 years. Participants were exposed to tonal and atonal note combinations during EEG recordings, after the EEG recordings were completed during the interviews participants were requested to evaluate the stimuli they listened. The findings obtained from the interviews and the electrophysiological findings are associated to the literature and discussed.