Music – The Essence of Life

For most people music is an enjoyable, although momentary form of entertainment. But for those who seriously practiced a musical instrument when they were young, perhaps when they played in a school orchestra or even a rock band, the musical experience can be something more.

Albert Einstein is recognized as one of the smartest man who has ever lived. A little known fact about Einstein is that when he was young he did extremely poor in school. His grade school teachers told his parents to take him out of school because he was "too stupid to learn" and it would be a waste of resources for the school to invest time and energy in his education. The school suggested that his parents get Albert an easy, manual labor job as soon as they could. His mother did not think that Albert was "stupid". Instead of following the school's advice, Albert's parents bought him a violin. Albert became good at the violin. Music was the key that helped Albert Einstein become one of the smartest men who has ever lived. Einstein himself says that the reason he was so smart is because he played the violin. He loved the music of Mozart and Bach the most. A friend of Einstein, G.J. Withrow, said that the way Einstein figured out his problems and equations was by improvising on the violin.

No matter what kind of music you listen to, it makes your mood better. we are more optimistic, joyful, friendly, relaxed, and calm after listening to music. If we were already feeling good, the positive vibes are increased, and if we were feeling down, music helps to feel less pessimistic and sad. Music proved successful in mood regulation, energy raising and tension reduction. The only emotion it didn’t affect seemed to be fear – which was neither raised nor lowered by music.

Music has measureable physical effects in lowering blood pressure, slowing or increasing breathing and pulse rates, and affecting brain waves. Music can:

Reduce stress: Music relaxes your muscles and reduces your breathing rate, both of which are directly related to stress.

Make you happy: Music can stimulate your body to produce serotonin (the happiness hormone) and so elevate your mood.

Alter your brain waves: Music can alter your brain wave pattern and so elevate your mood even after you stop listening to it.

Motivate you: Listening to motivating music can make you become more motivated yourself.

However some music can hook you back into repetitive patterns, so watch out for songs that carry bad memories. People who listen to romantic songs after breakups recover 10 times slower than those who don’t, (Huh! this is something new ) so edit your playlist if you want to recover faster.

One cannot deny the power of music. High school students who study music have higher grade point averages that those who don't. These students also develop faster physically. Student listening skills are also improved through music education. Napoleon understood the enormous power of music. He said, “Give me control over he who shapes the music of a nation, and I care not who makes the laws.”