Relationship of Music and People
Music is quite possibly the most influential piece of media. Music is everywhere movies, TV shows, stores, church services, and just about anywhere else you can think of. With so much music around us, it is logical to say that it influences our attitudes, moods, thoughts, and the way we view humanity. Those that make music have incredible powers that some are unaware they have.
Music has many effects on our memory. This article describes the effect very well “The power of music to affect memory is quite intriguing. Mozart's music and baroque music, with a 60 beats per minute beat pattern, activate the left and right brain. The simultaneous left and right brain action maximizes learning and retention of information. The information being studied activates the left brain while the music activates the right brain. Also, activities which engage both sides of the brain at the same time, such as playing an instrument or singing, causes the brain to be more capable of processing information.” (Cerebromente.org)
One can also learn a language much quicker when listening to music. We often remember songs better than conversations and books. By playing and listening to music of the desired language, we can retain the information better than if we were reading it. This theory has been confirmed by just looking at today's culture. Kids and adults are reading less and turning to music and movies more. The change in popular media forms makes it easier to retain information in the form of music.
Music's biggest influence is probably on our moods. Just by the tempo and whether or not the song is Major or Minor, can greatly effect our mood. Music effects everybody's mood's differently, some people like classical or jazz to calm themselves, while others prefer metal or rock. There is no formula to determine what type of music will cause somebody to feel a certain emotion or mood. It has been said that rock music has caused classical musicians to become physically ill. This exact same music may be your favorite band and may make you happy. One man's trash may be the next guys favorite band. The subjectivity and diversity of music also makes it a wonderful tool. It's kind of like your favorite food may be wonderful to you but it may make somebody else sick. It can be a healer and be a useful tool but can also have horrible consequences.
We now know that music effects our moods and that we all like different types of music. This would be a good time to dive deeper into the reasons music affects us emotionally. “Music does this by directly speaking to the emotional side of the human brain, or the right side of the brain. Once the communication has started the right side of the human brain mixes different chemicals together and serves them to the rest of the body in the form of a cocktail. For example, a happy mood appears to trigger the production of endorphins the body's painkillers, so pleasing music can work like an anesthetic. Other emotion triggered regulatory chemicals can enhance or impair the body's immune response. If these chemicals are produced in large enough quantities, people may get excited enough to do desperate things like pick a fight with someone who is a lot bigger and stronger, or kill themselves." (Cerebromente.org)
Music attracts different social classes and age groups. One should sit down at a classical music concert. It may be acceptable for you to get up and dance, and even fight during more contemporary concerts. Usually people who listen to classical music don't understand the contemporary music scene and vice versa. Music divides us and sets us apart from one another. Music gives us personality, diversity, and speaks for a variety of lifestyles.
Why is it that one band or genre sounds great to one person but bad to another? It could quite possibly be that music reflects our background, life and culture. Pop music probably sounds horrible to African tribes and most of us certainly don't listen to African tribe beats everyday. People that listen to a variety of music are probably more open to try new things. Those who don't listen to a variety of music are probably less likely to try something new. In 20 years will you still be listening to the same bands you listen to now? Or will you be listening to new bands? I hope for you and I the latter is true. Staying stagnant and stale will never get us anywhere in life except for repeating the same old pattern. If you've already done something one way once why would we want to do it again?
Music can at times be no more than a math equation, stale and without emotion. The big question we need to ask ourselves is it an art or an equation? Truthfully there is truth to both. Music is an equation, notes put together to make a song or equation. It's the textures, feel, rhythm, life experiences and personal interpretations that make it art. Without those things all we listen to is stale notes that mean nothing. To writers and composers, the songs they write become a part of who they are. Each song comes directly from their conscious and is breathed life when it enters this world. Written songs show where that person is in life and tells you a story about themselves. Just like a artist paints a piece of canvas with paint, singers and songwriters paint the air with with sonic waves of notes tones and pitches.
The ever-changing music industry reflects where we as a people are going. The lyrics of mainstream songs and general feel of music, can show where music is going. When we listen to 60s, 70s, and 80s artist we can tell that those songs were made for a certain generation not my own. That music shows us where our parents and possibly our grandparents came from. Music can be used as a tool to date times in history. Early man in the times of King David had their own unique musical sound. Classical music 400 years ago had a different sound than today's music and a different sound than music from a thousand years ago. In 50 years do you know what will be popular? If we knew that question then we could take a look into the future of humanity.
The importance of music in the life of humans is second to none. The diversity it has on humans is what makes it truly remarkable. I can't imagine a world without music, and if there were one. I'm sure it would be much different than the one we currently live in. We can be the music of tomorrow if we put effort into it. You or I could be the next Rihanna or Justin Bieber. We have the chance to shape the sound waves of tomorrow if we let ourselves. We can't live without music in our lives. We are truly shaped by the sounds that surround us.
