Of all the modes of communication, music stands out as one of the most profound. In fact, music can touch and move us with a power that goes beyond words. Official study reveals that the average person will spend 13 years of their lives listening to music. This narrows down to four hours of music each day. I have never cited anywhere or heard of any individual who simply cannot listen to songs. Regardless of their state or age. Music then has to have tremendous and rippling effects.
Check out the following facts:
Music is one of the few life activities that utilizes the entire brain at a time.
Music triggers activity in the same part of the brain that triggers pleasure.
The heartbeat always changes, mimics and rhymes with the music we listen to.
Playing music regularly will physically change the brain structure.
Music is often prescribed to patients with stroke and disorders of the central nervous system.
We cannot be indifferent to the fact that with the vast scope of music, some are for good yet others for ill. Good music is designed to uplift the thoughts to high and noble themes, to inspire and to elevate the souls. The alternate type of music seeks to move us into the most exalted human experience which more often than not degrades us, stirs up lust, passion, despair, anger and hatred.
Music comprises basically of three main aspects; melody, rhythm and harmony.
Rhythmic and booming effect
Studies and researches done prove that rhythm has little to no positive value addition to our existence. This may be a surprising fact but truth be told! According to psychologist Annett Schirmer of Society for Neuroscience in New Orleans, rhythmic sound not only coordinates the behavior of people in a group but also coordinates their thinking. Their mental processes become synchronized. You walk into a party and music is thumping, heads are bobbing and feet tapping in synchrony. Rhythmic sound grabs control of the brain and everybody operates in like manner. How safe is it for a group of 100 people in a party to think and act in the same way?
Rhythmic music taps into the brain circuit controlling emotions and movement, to actually control the brain circuitry of sensory perception. The brain is designed to take charge of itself. When rhythm begins to take control of the brain, something definitely goes south.
Rock and Jazz
I shall have to step on the foot of the rock and jazz music fans. For a good course though. Mike Quattro a well-known producer of rock shows said, “Rock motivates you internally, gives you a sensual feeling. A girl can be turned on by the music. It releases her inhibitions. A girl realizes her own sexuality through the music.” What?
A columnist back in 1978 received a response from a professional musician Jack Staulcup pertaining to her queries on rock music.
“A steady diet of rock and roll junk promotes degenerate rebelliousness that finds its outlets in drugs, alcohol and illicit sex.” He continued to say that rock was the biggest legalized racket in the United states. That was in 1978. We are in 2019. How much more then has rock become detrimental?
In the same year of 1978, a California music therapist administered to 240 school children aged 10-18 an emotional stability test when rock was played. Results were examined by a psychologist who was unaware of the experiment. He concluded that the test had been given in a mental institution!
In all queries I have done regarding rock, I have tried to identify even a single pro of the same in vain. Its effects are injurious to the listeners. Consider the following statements by rock experts:
The Beatles (in the late 60’s), “Our music is capable of causing emotional instability, disorganized behavior, rebellion and even revolution.”
Glenn Frey of The Eagles: “I’m in rock music for the sex and narcotics.”
Jan Berry: “The throbbing beat of rock provides a vital sexual release for youthful audiences.”
My friends who listen to rock, need I say more?
Jazz is the precursor of modern rock. The name jazz actually means sexual act. It was originally developed for use in brothels.
Melodies
Some types of melodies can improve human memory. They can also help in flashbacking the good memories of life. Soft music in a way is connected to medicine where a melody with a rhythm of 60 bits per minute always works for people as means to meditation. It can divert a person from stressful thought to calmness. Melodious music improves memory, ability to work, tranquility and self-confidence. I would need such from music and so would you.
I thrive in the school of thought where all that we do should impact positively to our existences. Good music should hence form part of us. Here are few tips to help us know what we should listen to.
- Good music is characterized by quality, balance, appropriateness and authenticity since it fosters our spiritual, psychological, social sensitivity and intellectual growth.
- Good music should appeal to both the intellect and emotions and impact the body in a positive way. Wholistic.
- Good music uses harmonies and melodies in an interesting and artistic way.
- Good music has lyrics that are creative, rich in content and of good composition. They should focus on educating and uplifting.
- Music should always lead you to meditation and soul searching pertaining to issues of life.
So, would it be melodies and harmonies or rhythms and beats?
Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common _Sarah Dessen, Just Listen.