TED Radio Hour Soundtracks of our lives
22 snips
Dec 12, 2025 
Scarlett Keyes, a Berklee College of Music professor, discusses songwriting techniques that create emotional hooks and how music can regulate emotions. Pierre Barreau, CEO of Ava, shares his vision for AI-generated music, the benefits of personalizing soundtracks, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI in music. Rebecca Kleinberger, a voice technology professor, explores why our recorded voice feels strange and discusses how voice influences perceptions and communication, including innovative approaches for treating stuttering.
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Small Musical Choices Drive Big Emotion
- Scarlett Keyes shows that tiny musical choices (like octave leaps or prosody) shape deep emotional reactions.
- Songwriters use melody and harmony to make listeners feel intended emotions instantly.
Curate A Daily 'Morning Song'
- Use music intentionally to change your day's mood: pick a morning song to prime your nervous system.
- Play uplifting tracks before stressful events to shift biology and emotion.
AI Can Score Personal Moments
- Pierre Barreau conceived AI as a tool to create 'musical photographs' personalized to moments.
- He frames AI music as a way to score everyday life, not to replace human creators.
