The relationship between music preferences of different mode and tempo and personality traits – implications for music pedagogy

Abstract

The aim of this research was to examine the relationship between music preferences of different mode and tempo and personality traits. The survey included 323 students who had to fill out the following tests: questionnaire of music preferences, scale of optimism and pessimism and International Personality Item Pool for measuring Big Five personality traits. Results showed that female in comparison to male students reported a higher degree of music preferences, regardless of tempo and mode, while the male and female showed a higher degree of preference for musical fragments in the fast tempo and major key. Results of hierarchical regression analysis showed that emotional stability and optimism were significant predictors of preferences for music in fast tempo and major key, while openness to experiences, introversion and gender were significant predictors of preferences for the slow tempo and music in minor key. The authors suggest the importance of applying these results in creating the curriculum of music teaching.