Every day, countless people wake up to the sound of their alarm clock. They turn off the alarm and get out of bed, either because they are excited for what the next day will bring or dreading it. Either way, music is playing in their heads as they go about their morning routine. Whether you’re humming a tune while brushing your teeth or singing along with the radio while driving into work, chances are that you have some sort of soundtrack going on in your head right now. Music has become an integral part of our lives; we listen to music when working out at the gym, when cooking dinner in our kitchens, and even when sitting down to watch television. We listen to music almost every day. One way to listen to the beautiful songs is through the music hall turntable.
As technology progresses and more advancements are made in how we enjoy music these days, it has never been more important to understand just what music is and how it affects us. Every day new scientific discoveries are being made that question the true power that music holds over all of us, which brings me to my thesis statement: Music can be used as a tool for understanding our minds better than ever before. This seemingly simple assertion is actually backed by plenty of scientific research studies that prove music can affect our moods and even brain activity. Get out your headphones or turn on your stereo because we’re about to take an in-depth look at some of the most profound elements of this phenomenon.
Tonality and Relaxation
The debate over whether or not music has intrinsic meaning has waged on for centuries with no end in sight. According to researchers, tonality is in some ways analogous to language in that it provides a system for organizing musical thoughts in the minds of composers and listeners in order to convey meaning. This could be true; by using tonal hierarchy we can understand what chord progressions mean to different people. While this may sound like nothing more than an interesting theory, there is actually plenty of scientific evidence backing up this claim. A study about how brainwaves respond differently depending on whether or not certain songs were played along with them concluded that classical pieces led to increased alpha waves (low-frequency brainwaves associated with relaxation), while modern pieces led to increased beta waves (high-frequency brainwaves associated with excitement).
This research is fascinating because it provides concrete evidence that music has a real impact on our brains, not just emotionally but also physiologically. It shows that the type of music we listen to as well as the kind we play, can actually change the way our brains function, which in turn can affect our moods and emotions having an effect on our levels of relaxation.Â
So the next time you take a look at your catalogue of piano sheet music keep this in mind. When you’re feeling down, try listening to or playing some classical music. It may just be the thing you need to help you relax and feel better after a stressful day.
Emotions
We’ve all been there; we hear a song that we used to love and suddenly we are overcome with nostalgia for a time long gone. Or maybe we’re listening to a wistful love song and we’re instantly reminded of that one special someone. Our brains are capable of such powerful synesthesia (the ability to associate sounds with colors) because music is so widely used in all forms of entertainment. But it doesn’t stop there; even if we aren’t aware of it, our moods can be greatly influenced by the songs we listen to on a daily basis. Just like the study I mentioned earlier, researchers found evidence that different emotional states elicit distinct brain activity patterns depending on the type of music being listened to. Their research showed that happy music led to increased blood flow in regions associated with happiness while sad music led to increased blood flow in regions associated with sadness.
Not only does this research show that music has the power to affect our emotions, it gives us a whole new perspective on how we can use music to better understand ourselves and others. For example, if you are trying to connect with someone who is having a bad day then all you would have to do is put some sad-sounding music on and suddenly they’ll be more open to what you have to say because their mood will already be in sync with the music being played.
Expressive Power
The way musicians express themselves through different notes or chord progressions can have a surprisingly strong effect on listeners. It may seem obvious that people react more strongly when listening to music that stirs up powerful emotions like anger or happiness, but what about more subtle emotions? For example, a study that looked at how people reacted to different pieces of classical music found that the most expressive pieces were the ones that led to the greatest increase in heart rate.
This research is significant because it shows that even though we may not be consciously aware of it, the music we listen to can have a profound impact on our physical states. It also highlights the importance of expressive power in music; after all, if a composer or musician isn’t able to express themselves effectively then their music will likely fail to evoke any strong emotions in listeners.
From tonality and relaxation to emotions and expressive power, there are countless ways in which music affects our brains. While we may not be able to pinpoint exactly how or why music does what it does, I think that’s okay. It’s enough for me to know that the next time I’m feeling down all I have to do is pop on some tunes and suddenly my mood will be lifted. That kind of understanding is a simple but powerful reminder of the importance of music in our lives because it shows us that whatever we’re going through, there will always be an appropriate song waiting for us when we need it most.
