I'm currently undertaking the task of writing a paper for school that has to be 12 pages long, and I think this is the question that I'm going to focus on. I have always immersed my life in music, and I love all types, but the types of music I listen to always depends on my mood. I've found that this holds true for most people and I've never really questioned until now why this is. What is it about certain sounds that strikes a chord (pun ) in our hearts? Why does the heavy chugging of a death metal guitar invoke anger, while the carefree strumming of a ukulele creates a laid back mindset? Surely, some of the explanation comes from the fact that certain sounds and musical styles are linked to certain stereotypes (i.e. reggae = islands, people who enjoy the islands enjoy reggae). But what of the types of music that don't hold a mental tie such as this? What about the different genres of music that were pioneered in western culture and aren't regionally specific? Genres such as classic rock, techno, and folk music. What links these styles of music with certain emotions?!