Why Music Works

Very nicely condensed little 6 minute clip. Certainly agree. Music is a very powerful mood influencer, more so than most people realize. It's a proven fact that people drive faster and work out harder when listening to music they like. And Mozart has been scientifically verified to boost one's IQ. And I certainly agree about not needing to be able to understand the lyrics as well. I mean just listen to Italian opera... I understand absolutely nothing but it has still brought a tear to my eye at times.

 

Looking at this clip, maybe it's time for me to go back and get a Masters in Music Therapy. The uni where I studied my undergrad degree offers it by distance ed. Food for thought. Nothing better than combing a love for music with a desire to help others.

 

Oh, there is also a CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corp) documentary tomorrow night on the Nature of Things with David Suzuki about music. Saw the preview and it looks good.

http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/m/episodes/i-got-rhythm-the-science-of-song

 

Two problems with this video. Great video overall.

Coldplay's song and then Katie Perry's "Roar" as the closer. If you want "Eye Of The Tiger" then rock out. That Katie Perry song induces the mental urge to vomit, disgusting...

 

Sitting down at a piano, opening a guitar case, warming a drum stool: These are all gateways to a world of utter absorption. I can lose myself for hours either through the process or the result. When I focus on the process there's the opportunity for deep concentration as I first stumble through a new chord progression or try to master the metre changes in Pearl Jam's "Alive". There's just no room in my head for stress or self pity. Focusing on the results, on the other hand, brings with it a sense of achievement, not of perfection attained, but of perfection approached.

Once the demons of the day have been exorcised through musical exercise I let them back inside for a while. I choose songs that evoke the moods and emotions that cause me pain. An indulgence. Melancholy returns as a release, not as a drug that addicts and destroys.

If you have the time and want to take musical enjoyment to the next level, try your hand at learning or re-learning an instrument. Playing for yourself instead of an audience is the pinnacle of escapism.

 

Needs a bit of Poulenc. Thank Haruki Murakami for this one. He always refers to music in his works...

 

Well said, sir. I'm pretty useless at the guitar but as soon as I play the first chord I swear my blood pressure starts to drop. There's some magic in music, particularly I feel when one makes it oneself. Would make for a fascinating area of study actually.

 

I encourage everyone to take up an instrument. Listening to a favorite piece is good, playing it is better.

 

Do you have a reference for Mozart increasing IQ?

 

@Stuff Jones

Here are some links:

http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/169724-top-five-studies-classical-music-and-health/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1281386/?tool=pubmed#ref1

Apparently it's a bit more controversial than I thought but I certainly believe in it. Classical music has always helped me when I'm studying or trying to solve something difficult.

 

It has been established that listening to Justin Bieber lowers your IQ to 60, which is approximately equal to the combined IQ of 60 gym teachers.