But what is healthful music? Since musical appreciation is a personal thing, it is difficult to suggest a list of healing music suitable for everyone. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that certain tunes are popular the world over, for they have the power to stir the emotions in specific way. The Irish song Danny Boy falls into this category. Say the words, 'O Danny boy the pipes, the pipes are calling, from glen to glen and down the mountainside' and nothing much happens. Add the famous haunting tune, and you may be moved to tears. Ironically the songwriter was an Englishman, Fred Weatherly, whose clever Italianate placing of open vowels on high notes gave his words immediate appeal. Similarly, even without knowing the meaning of the words, the soaring melody of the black gospel hymn 'Amazing Grace' had the power to transport the Hindu to Nirvana, the Muslim to Allah and the atheist to Wonderland!
Many people are drawn to New Age or ' inner space' music whose aim is to enhance relaxation, meditation, visualisation and guided imagery. The signature of this kind of music is repeated cycles of gentle, undulating sounds. It is usually created by means of synthesisers in harmony with the sounds of traditional instruments like the piano, violin or flute, and sometimes the human voice. However, whilst most experts would agree that certain forms of music can enhance the relaxation response, some are skeptical about the whole concept of meditation music.
New age music is available from some music shops, though it is more easily obtained by mail order from specialist suppliers.