Dimensions of musical taste: A style-specific approach

This study investigates the complex dynamics underlying musical taste by examining five dimensions of musical taste through psychological, sociological, and music-analytical perspectives. By focusing on specific musical styles, the study aims to identify key factors that shape style-specific preferences. Data were collected from N = 844 participants through an online survey. Participants selected one of 17 musical styles they were most passionate about and completed five scales assessing factors influencing musical taste development, functions and situations of music listening, musical value judgments, and perceived musical dislikes. The data were analyzed using factor analyses to identify underlying dimensions, followed by a random forest classification to explore the importance of these factors for musical preferences across styles. The results highlight the role of social influences in shaping musical taste, particularly among punk, metal, and rock fans, while these factors were less relevant for classical and jazz enthusiasts. Identity expression and the relevance of lyrics were also pivotal for punk, metal, and rock fans, whereas pop and rap listeners frequently cited perceptions of mainstream appeal as a reason for rejection. This study underscores the multifaceted and style-specific nature of musical taste, advocating for an integrative approach by bridging psychological, sociological, and music-analytical perspectives.