McFarlane theorized that perhaps the rise and fall of notes in a more melodic alarm helps to focus our brain’s attention.Ī more monotonous “beep beep beep” alarm might raise anxiety and promote confusion. This is in contrast to an alarm that repeats a single note, like a traditional alarm clock, or an alarm that’s tuned in to a talk radio station. McFarlane explained that what makes a tone be perceived as melodic is the presence of at least two notes, time, and the sequence in which the notes are sounded in relation to each other.Ī melody is perceived as an “articulate entity or musical phrase,” he said.Īn example he gave of a melodic alarm tone is the introduction to Madonna’s song “Borderline.”
Lead author Stuart McFarlane, a doctoral researcher at RMIT University, said his team found that alarm sounds people deemed to be “melodic” were linked with people feeling like they had an easier time becoming awake and alert. The respondents were asked about the type of sound they preferred to wake with, how they felt about that sound, and how alert or groggy they felt after waking up. The study, which was published in the journal PLoS One, involved 50 people.Įach person was given a questionnaire that they could complete anonymously at home.
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