Eva Guțu, XII A
Music, an inextricable and fundamental necessity in each of our lives, surrounded us from our very first moments of existence. Our mothers’ lullabies were not the only introductory music experiences, hence it is believed that music also helps and stimulates the ultimate development of a fetus’s brain, assisting with cognitive functions. Mozart or Bach are common choices, yet our musical “education” does not stop in our infancy years.
Musical Education
Music is somewhat of a neglected subject in most schools, especially for upper-secondary education. Thus, unless you attend an arts-oriented profile or school, music will not play a major part in your curriculum. Arts and humanities are not as promoted by the Romanian educational system, yet students take it upon themselves to pursue their passion and imbue their lives with creativity. Whether it involves taking private classes or learning by themselves at their own pace are two such means through which children, as well as adults, take a step in chasing their dreams.
Animals and Music
Emora University conducted some research a few years ago in order to extend our knowledge and understanding regarding animal perceptions towards music, and it has been proven that the bird brain reacts to music in an extremely similar fashion to the human brain. Consequently, the most well-known singer of the animal kingdom, react accordingly when listening to their own songs. Nevertheless, birds are not the only species to have a distinctive reaction to music. Cats do not respond to classical music, as commonly believed, yet they do enjoy specific pitches and tempos specifically designed for their ears, whilst the mimicking ability helps parrots match a beat.
Advertising
It is no surprise that music is used for marketing purposes. Tunes of all kinds are used on a mass scale, strategically chosen to attract the target audiences. Its different effects on the human psyche are thoroughly studied and exploited to the masses, thus indirectly affecting the viewer, or in this case, the listener’s perception and attitude towards a certain product. The catchy tunes, or chirpy background music all have their stoic purposes in marketing. In other words, the brands aim to create a connection, more or less on an emotional level. Commercials are therefore in a continuous state of competition, striking towards a memorable enough advertisement which will eventually influence the buyer. Everyone has heard at least one repetitive song for a particular brand or product, and in most cases, not just once a day. Therefore, while we watch the să,e commercial during every tv break, or between radio songs, businesses increase their sales by the minute. It might seem annoying, but it is indeed effective.
Music as a Beneficial Psychological Method
Music comprises some of people’s most fascinating behaviors, and research demonstrates it to be a contributing factor to one’s health. Just as I mentioned before, music stimulates cognitive performance. A common study practice is listening to classical or background music of any kind while primarily focusing on performing a different task. Different types of music also have a distinct impact, hence while instrumental music helps the memory, upbeat songs provide aid in keeping up with speed and processing fast-paced information.
Additionally, when listening to music, one’s pain tolerance increases to a particular degree. Even though this percentage might not be statistically significant, such practices are highly appreciated by patients. In other words, music gives us somewhat of a boost in performance and even endurance, aside from the prominent overall change in mood through the release of endorphins.
To sum up, music plays a crucial role in a human being’s life. Music surrounds us, willingly or unwillingly, and this creation of humans for humans is inevitably a positive stimulus for the brain, be it diminished anxiety, lower blood pressure, improved sleep quality, or sole relaxation.