Factors affecting the frequency of music dreams: An online study

Abstract

Despite numerous anecdotal accounts of music dreams, empirical research in this area is scarce. The present online study (N = 2929) found a prevalence of about 6% of all dreams include some element of music. Age was negatively related to the frequency of music dreams, whereas dream recall frequency, the overall emotional tone of the dreams, and the attitude towards dreams showed positive correlations. Future studies are needed to investigate factors that might affect the frequency of music dreams like time spent during the day with music (e.g., music students, musicians) and/or the involvement in music (e.g., listening to background music vs. performing in front of a huge crowd). It would also be interesting to study the effect of music dreams on the mood and creativity of the next day as they tend to be positively toned and stimulating.