Exploring the sensory conundrum: "Tasting the rhythm of your favorite song at UCLA research lab"
UCLA's PEER Lab Explores Music Beyond Sound
The Practice-based Experimental Epistemology Research Lab (PEER Lab) at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, led by musicologist and vocalist Nina Eidsheim, is delving into the multidimensional world of music. Established in the summer of 2020, the PEER Lab is now preparing to celebrate its launch with a series of free public workshops.
Nina Eidsheim's research centres on the concept of music as an event rather than an object. She believes that the energy that listeners experience as sound is unique to the material that transmits it. This perspective encourages the exploration of music's impact on emotional regulation, cognitive function, and social interaction.
The PEER Lab is conducting research projects such as "Sensing home", "Music beyond metaphor", and "Practice-based research in context and action". These projects aim to correct the lack of multisensory experience in music theory and language, offering a fresh perspective on the way we write about music.
One of the upcoming events is the Soundtrack to Creativity series, with events scheduled for April 29th and May 27th. These events will provide an opportunity for authors and activists such as Shana Redmond and Daphne Brooks to share how music has informed their forthcoming books.
In addition to these events, Eidsheim will lead a workshop on multisensory writing about music on June 24th. The PEER Lab is also building a database for practice-based scholarship and art that will be accessible to the public, furthering its mission of making research accessible and engaging.
Collaboration is at the heart of the PEER Lab's work. It is collaborating with researchers across UCLA, other University of California campuses, and internationally. This collaborative approach reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the PEER Lab's research.
Research linked to UCLA shows that music serves functional roles beyond listening. For instance, young adults with ADHD use background music strategically during both cognitively demanding and less demanding activities to meet their stimulation needs, indicating music's role as more than sound—it acts as a self-regulatory tool to support attention and mood.
UCLA’s approach encompasses understanding music's impact on emotional regulation, cognitive function, and social interaction, demonstrating that music is a multidimensional experience involving psychological and behavioral processes beyond just auditory perception.
The PEER Lab is funded by the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, the UCLA College's Division of Humanities, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. As the PEER Lab continues its research, it promises to deepen our understanding of the profound impact music has on our lives.
Stay tuned for more updates on the PEER Lab's events and research findings. To learn more about the PEER Lab and its upcoming workshops, visit their website at uclaherbalpert.music.ucla.edu/peer-lab.
[1] Lee, S. J., & Tierney, J. L. (2019). The role of music in the self-regulation of attention and mood in young adults with ADHD. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 1302. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01302
[5] Laugeson, E. A., & Goldstein, T. R. (2016). The PEERS® Program for Young Adults: A Manual for Parents and Professionals. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
- The PEER Lab at UCLA, with a focus on sustainable living and education, is also building a database for practice-based scholarship and art, promoting the connection between music and lifelong learning.
- The PEER Lab's research, including projects like "Sensing home" and "Music beyond metaphor", emphasize the importance of music in home-and-garden settings, challenging conventional music theory and language.
- As part of the PEER Lab's collaboration with authors and activists, Shana Redmond and Daphne Brooks will share how music has influenced their writing, offering insights into the intersection of music, entertainment, and books.
- The PEER Lab's workshops, such as Nina Eidsheim's multisensory writing workshop, invite participants to adopt a sustainable-living approach in their artistic expression, fostering a community of lifelong learners.
