How would life be without music? Dull, empty, drained…. Every day count the number of times we listen to music; music and society have always been strongly interrelated. Music reflects and creates social conditions. For example, think of national anthems; by and large they are created with musical compositions that evoke and praise the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized by a nation’s government as the official national song.
A mother sings lullaby because a child from birth is ‘wired for sound’ – or, more specifically wired for music. There are specific neural connections which are made when a child listens to music of any kind, instrumental or vocal. These connections are, it seems that, not made in any other way and can only be made in the early years. Once made, some researchers believe this neural ‘wiring’ may be used to support some other sense, such as visual or verbal. The more connections that are made, the more capacity in the brain is opened up for use. The conclusion has been drawn that the earlier music is introduced to child; it stands greater chances and the potential for learning.
Music affects us in a great magnitude.
Music affects us in a great magnitude. What is music used for? We listen to music when we are happy, sad, dull, exited, romantic, and at times just to break the silence. Music, sometimes, is a reminder of some events in our life. It make us nostalgic reminding us about some moments which otherwise we have forgotten. Music inspires us; and hence it has become integral part of the movies.
The story warps around the music and it moves ahead through songs. Hit songs are one of the essential constituents of a box office hit film. They just don’t stay on silver screen, they travel with us everywhere. They are omnipresent. The radio, TV, bars, hotels, restaurants, canteens, doctor’s clinics, beauty parlors, vehicles all these live and breathe because of them. Music makes traffic jams bearable, long drives enjoyable, boring ring tones have given way to personalized songs making the callers wait patiently for the receiver to pick up the phone. School and college entertainment programs or family functions are unfinished without them. Music triggers your creativity no matter whichever field you may belong to.
Can you imagine Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid without “rains drops keep falling on my head” or a Sound of Music without “The hills are alive with the sound of music” in true sense this song is a tribute to the ageless and perpetual beauty of the mountains. If songs were not a part of movies I can’t imagine movies like “Hum Dono”, “Sangam” or latest “Zindagi na milegi dobara.” Evevn, action and Science Fiction films absorb music into their structure most effectively. On the other hand, imagine Star Wars or Batman without its incredible sounds as the music. What would it be like?
Considering the root reasons for needing music in these cases we can conclude that music perks us up, it develops us. When we listen to music our brain releases dopamine which is a feel good chemical essential for the healthy functioning of the central nervous system; it has effects on emotion, perception and movement. Music is proven to physiologically affect heart rate, breathing and pulse rate resulting in physical chills of pleasure. A study was undertaken by Dr Mike Miller of Baltimore, who measured the effects of music on the cardiovascular system by measuring blood vessel size before, during and after music playing. When a patient liked the music playing, the blood vessels relaxed and opened up. Music can trigger associated memories transporting you back to special occasions. It is used as a therapy by many psychiatrists.
Guys, whatever the reason, let music make your heart sing!!
