How many times have you turned to music to uplift you even further in happy times, or sought the comfort of music when melancholy strikes?
Music affects us all. But only in recent times have scientists sought to explain and quantify the way music impacts us at an emotional level. Researching the links between melody and the mind indicates that listening to and playing music actually can alter how our brains, and therefore our bodies, function.
It seems that the healing power of music, over body and spirit, is only just starting to be understood, even though music therapy is not new. For many years therapists have been advocating the use of music in both listening and study for the reduction of anxiety and stress, the relief of pain. And music has also been recommended as an aid for positive change in mood and emotional states.
Michael DeBakey, who in 1966 became the first surgeon to successfully implant an artificial heart, is on record saying: “Creating and performing music promotes self-expression and provides self-gratification while giving pleasure to others. In medicine, increasing published reports demonstrate that music has a healing effect on patients.”
Doctors now believe using music therapy in hospitals and nursing homes not only makes people feel better, but also makes them heal faster. And across the nation, medical experts are beginning to apply the new revelations about music’s impact on the brain to treating patients.
In one study, researcher Michael Thaut and his team detailed how victims of stroke, cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s disease who worked to music took bigger, more balanced strides than those whose therapy had no accompaniment.
Other researchers have found the sound of drums may influence how bodies work. Quoted in a 2001 article in USA Today, Suzanne Hasner, chairwoman of the music therapy department at Berklee College of Music in Boston, says even those with dementia or head injuries retain musical ability.
The article reported results of an experiment in which researchers from the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, Pa., tracked 111 cancer patients who played drums for 30 minutes a day. They found strengthened immune systems and increased levels of cancer-fighting cells in many of the patients.
“Deep in our long-term memory is this rehearsed music,” Hasner says. “It is processed in the emotional part of the brain, the amygdala. Here is where you remember the music played at your wedding, the music of your first love, that first dance. Such things can still be remembered even in people with progressive diseases. It can be a window, a way to reach them.”
The American Music Therapy Organization claims music therapy may allow for “emotional intimacy with families and caregivers, relaxation for the entire family, and meaningful time spent together in a positive, creative way”.
Scientists have been making progress in its exploration into why music should have this effect. In 2001 Dr. Anne Blood and Robert Zatorre of McGill University in Montreal, used positron emission tomography, or PET scans, to find out if particular brain structures were stimulated by music.
In their study, Blood and Zatorre asked 10 musicians, five men and five women, to choose stirring music. The subjects were then given PET scans as they listened to four types of audio stimuli
Music & Emotions: Can Music Really Make You a Happier Person?
Country music
Music is very relaxing. After a day of studying hard, it is fun to listen to some music at home. You can even play a musical instrument for a while. Music relieves the tension caused by the problems of a long day of work. Music can cheer you up when you are sad.
There are many different types of music such as classical, popular, country, western and jazz. For example, country music features simple themes and melodies describing day-to-day situations and the feelings of country people. Many people appreciate this kind of music because of the emotions expressed in these songs. Some songs become popular all over the world.
Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. It has roots in traditional folk music, Celtic music, gospel music, and old-time music and evolved rapidly in the 1920s.The term country music began to be used in the 1940s when the earlier term hillbilly music was deemed to be degrading, and the term was widely embraced in the 1970s, while country and western has declined in use since that time, except in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it is still commonly used.
The beginnings of art music in England can be traced to plainsong (plainchant).
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Possessing beautiful voice, countries singers have enchanted audience all over the world with sweet and romantic songs. Music fans have always admired the talent of such singers as Jennifer Nettles, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift. In addition, they are considered the sexiest singers in the music industry. It seems that God has given great favor to endow them with both talent and beauty. Is Country Music Karaoke Dying?
Where are all of the Country music fans – especially at Karaoke? I love most genres of music, including Rock, Hip hop/Rap, Reggae, Heavy Metal, Blues, Jazz, Classical,….and yes, COUNTRY. There is just something about listening to songs from Toby Keith, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Reba McIntyre, Shania Twain, and MANY more that still bring sold-out crowds to music concerts around the United States. Country Music Legend Jim Owen
JIM OWEN USA http://www.jimowenmusic.net/ JIM OWEN the LIVING LEGEND Dottie West called him a “legend”, and Charlie Daniels simply called him a “superstar. Starred In Movies Jim wrote and starred in ” A list of famous country music singers
A list of great country music singersWith the aid of monks and troubadours traveling throughout Europe, musical forms of many regions were freely intermingled and spread quickly. In the 16th and 17th centuries, England produced many notable composers, among them John Dowland, Thomas Morley, Thomas Tallis, and, perhaps greatest of all, William Byrd. The musical stature of the Baroque composers Henry Purcell and George Frideric Handel remains unquestioned. Music in England reached another peak in the late 19th century, when comic opera attained near perfection in the work of William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Later significant composers include Edward Elgar, Gustav Holst, William Walton, and Benjamin Britten.
I do enjoy music very much. I find that listening to a soloist playing and singing is an exciting experience. Whenever you feel sad, you can just turn on the radio and listen to some music. Nothing beats music when it comes to cheering someone up. Whenever you hear music, you can see people smiling and tapping their feet along with the beat.
Buying Music
Have you ever watched a music video or listened to a song playing on radio and felt sad that you might never see or listen to it again? Buying your own music in this case is not such a bad idea. There are many places you can get your own music today. From your local departmental store, music shops or online, you are spoiled for choice. You only need to identify the artist of your favorite songs and you are good to go.
Other than identifying a place to buy, you need to make sure that the store only sells authentic music. This is important as it guarantees you value for money. The quality of original music is way above that of pirated copies. The best aspect about this is that you get to enjoy the music as it was originally produced with all its beautiful effects and sound. Pirated or copied music lack this quality. You might end up buying music videos or CDs that are scratched which can be quite annoying to listen to.
The beauty of owning your own copies of blues, indie or emo music is that you can play it at will.
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Take a minute to consider whether you would buy clothes without first checking the price and deciding whether you can find the same item cheaper elsewhere. You wouldn’t; neither should you buy music without comparing prices and selecting the best deal available. Renting Digital Music May Be a Better Alternative Then Buying Music
The question is should you purchase your music or rent your digital music. Studies have indicated that the average digital music player has about 1,770 songs. The same survey from a University in England also discovered that half of the songs consisted of illegal downloads. So lets assume that you are a law abiding citizen, setting the average number of legal songs on a digital music player at 850 songs. How To Buy a Guitar in a Music Store
Many guitars these days are purchased online. But even with all the technology, price slashing and convenience of buying online, it’s important to remember the advantages of shopping for a guitar in a good old fashioned music store. Listen to the Music
If you are going to spend between five to ten or fifteen dollars on a CD or Vinyl make sure that you remember to listen to it first before making your purchase. Even if people you know or the person working at the store tells you that it is the best record out at that moment.You do not have to tune in to a particular show on radio or television to listen to it. You can watch your music video whenever you want. Consequently it is possible for you to make a copy in your iPod or mobile phone so that you can listen and see it wherever you are. If you own a vehicle, you can make a copy of the CD and play it in your car as you go to work. With an original copy of your favorite folk or alternative songs, you do not have to be afraid of making duplicate copies as long it is for personal use and not for sale.
So how do you go about buying music? If you can not find your best music video or blues CD in your neighborhood music shop, the internet is awash with places where you can easily get what you are looking for. All you need to know is the name of the artist and song. Knowing the title of the particular album can be quite helpful as well. You can use these three attributes to help in your search. After successfully locating the music you are looking for, following instructions to complete the transaction guarantees you a copy of your favorite alternative or emo songs.
Obviously buying a copy of your music videos, folk or indie songs will cost you quite a bit of money. However, there is some pride and joy associated with owning original copies. It makes for a beautiful collection over time. Consequently, buying only authentic music goes along way in supporting your favorite artists. If you are not in a position to buy music videos that you enjoy, there are some sites in the internet that legally allow downloading songs you like at a smaller fee or free of charge.