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"What I have in my heart and soul must
find a way out. That is the reason for music."
Benethoven
Music is the universal language. While different people might prefer different
genres, music is heard the same way across the globe and across generations.
Some people are less musicly inclined, but yet nearly everyone enjoys
it. Recent studies have also shown that some music enhances brain function
and that music may be hardwired into the brain before a baby is ever born.
Music also helps us remember things and make associations.
Musical Memory
Chances are that at least once in your life you made a song to help you
remember something. This has been done for thousands of years in almost
all cultures. Back during the times of the Civil War in America and during
the time of the underground railroad, people would make songs to help
the remember how to tell which way is north and other important things.
Becauase of this, thousands of people were saved from slavery.
This is why touch-tone phones have sounds
associated with each button. If you make frequent phone calls to any specific
number, you probably know the "song" of that number, even if you are not
aware of it. Many companies play on this while advertising; commercial
jingles stick in your head and make you more likely to buy a product,
even if you're not conscious of it.
Mental Benefits
The Mozart Effect was popularized a few years ago by Rauscher and colleagues
(of the University of California Irvine) found that listening to Mozart
while studying or doing other activities helped to increase Spatial IQ.
However, the study has been redone dozens of times by various researchers
and no effects like the original took place. After this, Rauscher redid
his own study and found the same results as their original. It is debatable
(and it has been debated) as to whether listening to Mozart increases
test scores.
Music Therapy
Music therapy has been around for thousands of years, since the time of
the ancient greeks. Its popularity has recently increased as its been
used more in recent years. It is used to raise spirits and also used in
conjunction with anesthesia to alleviate pain. Newer methods of musical
therapy used are exposing them to new music and even song writing. Music;
the universal language.
What effect does music
have on the brain?
How is the brain effected by visual art?
Why are we fooled by optical illusions?
What are some other forms of art?
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