The Sound of Music
David Tame, author of The Secret Power of Music, quoted “music is more than a language, it is the language of languages. It can be said that of all the arts, there is none other that more powerfully moves and changes the consciousness” (Essortment). Indeed, music has shown to be very powerful, perhaps more so than spoken language. Whether it is classical music, hard rock, indigenous, live, or vocal, music can greatly affect the brain, body, and mind. For example, film producers utilize music to enhance their movies and reach the feelings of the audience to make it a more appreciated and memorable film. Not only humans, but music has also shown to affect animals and plants alike with positive or negative results. Music influences learning and memory, therapy and medical treatment, and overall body health.
Through numerous scientific experiments, music has shown to have a powerful effect on memory and learning. Some pieces of music, particularly pieces with sixty beats per minute, enhance both the right and left hemispheres, which, when simultaneously activated, increases the capability to learn and remember new information (O’Donnell). Typically, this is referred to the Mozart Effect, since most of Mozart pieces contain such a pattern.
The effectiveness of Mozart’s sonatas can be seen by the results from an IQ test performed on three groups of college students. The first group listened to a Mozart sonata before taking the test. The second group listened to a relaxation tape before their test. The third group did not listen to anything before the test. The first group had the highest score with an average of 119. The second group ended up with an average of 111, and the third group had the lowest score with an average of 110. (O’Donnell)
Classical music, as well as steady background music, obviously improves the brain’s cognitive abilities. In addition, playing an instrument improves intelligence. Studies in the 1990’s show music students with a higher score on both math and verbal parts (Kelstrom). Certainly, learning a complex process such as music will add to the intelligence of the student, especially when started at a young age. Overall, music helps in the learning and memory processes.
Secondly, music is so strong it is often employed in medical centers and for medical purposes. Autism, a serious and uncertain condition, ruins the lives of thousands of Americans each year. One solution to aid the problem is music therapy. Since many problems accompany autism, music provides several benefits. One of these benefits is that Music provides the structural regularity that children with autism need (Downey). This can lead to better communication, which can be unbelievably frustrating to both the victim and relatives. Also, music can help organize and control behaviors.
In addition its educational value, music for children with autism has a physiological benefit. A research study done by a neurologist, who is also a musician, at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts showed a physical change in the brain structure in people who started music training at an early age. It was found that a bundle of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum, which functions in carrying signals between the two brain hemispheres, is about 12 percent thicker among keyboard players who started training before the age of 7, compared to keyboard players trained later, or to non- musicians. (Downey)
Autism, as well as many other medical problems, can be aided by the sound of music.
Lastly, music affects the body in both positive and negative ways. First, energy levels are definitely influenced by music. Generally, depending on the type of personality, relaxing and calming music can make the listener feel just that; calm and relaxed in an everyday situation by reducing bodily functions such as blood pressure and heart rate. In fact, relaxing music has shown to increase endorphins which, after thirty minutes of, was equal to a dose of Valium (Essortment). Oppositely, depressing or angry music can increase these negative feelings and stress hormones. On the other hand, loud music can cause hearing loss. With bands striving to become louder than all others, ears suffer permenant damage. O’Donnell also notes Dr. John Diamond’s discovery of a direct link between muscle strength/weakness and music. He discovered that all of the muscles in the entire body go weak when subjected to the “stopped anapestic beat” of music from hard rock musicians, including Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Queen, The Doors, Janis Joplin, Bachman – Turner Overdrive, and The Band (O’Donnell). Whether in a negative or positive light, music influences the body to an observable degree.
Overall, music can cause many affects on learning, in the medical field, and on the body. Music can enhance learning, and even more so, can help medical problems such as Autism. Also, music can directly affect the body and it’s functions. Music has shown to be so powerful that it’s influence stretches beyond humans to plants and animals. Thus, one should take the time to consider the precious value of hearing and music.
Works Cited
Downey, Martha Kate. Music for the Child with Autism. 2007. 27 October 2007 .
Kelstrom, Joyce. Music’s Effect on Academic Achievement. 2006. 27 October 2007 .
O’Donnell, Laurence. Music and the Brain. 1999. Music Power. 27 October, 2007 .
What effects does music have on the brain? 2002. Pagewise. 27 October 2007 .
