This is the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth. Classical music has tremendous healing power. In newspapers across the United States, music is being used to help patients relax after having surgery, help critically ill patients in intensive care units to mend, volunteer musicians are playing concerts at the bedside of patients and students do their homework after school, while listening to classical music in the background. The articles are listed below with more musical tips:
- “Music Thought to Enhance Intelligence, Mental Health and Immune System” (June 22, 2006) Jill Yablonsky at Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- “They Sing a Song of Healing” by Dawn Fallik from the Philadelphia Inquire (July 19, 2006),
“Music Therapy Helps Special Needs Students, Seniors” by Michael T. Burkhart from the Courier-Post Staff (August 29, 2006). - “Bedtime Beats’ Lulls Mind to Sleep” by Scott Iwasaki from the Deseret Morning News (Sep. 1, 2006). Many articles have been done on sleep disorder and listening to music such as Saint-Saens “The Swan” and Vivaldi’s Guitar Concerto in D major from the CD “Bedtime Beats” have made a big difference to many sleep deprived individuals.
- “The Sound of Music” (Oct. 19, 2006) Saga Health News- Get Classical “According to Dr. Mike Lowis in order to activate both sides of the brain, music needs to be complex so pop music and anything with a heavy beat doesn’t work.” In using music as a medicine “just half an hour of soothing music is said to be , equivalent to 10mg of a tranquillizer such as valium- but without the side effects.”
- “Brain to feet: ‘Let’s dance , guys” Paul Taylor’s article from The Globe and Mail,. (Oct. 20, 2006). Researchers at McGill University in Montreal are conducting a study ” having a group of volunteers listen to rhythmical sounds while their brains were monitored by high-tech magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, machines.” Joyce Chen, the McGill graduate student conducting the study reported “the auditory regions of the brain showed increased activity as the sounds were played. However, brain regions involved in the control of body movements were also activated, even though the volunteers remained motionless.”
- “How Classical Music Can Reduce Crime, Benefit Your Mood and Increase Your Spending” by www.SixWise.com (Oct. 31, 2006) ” Robberies were cut by 33 percent, vandalism 37 percent, and staff assaults decreased by 25 percent by playing classical music in London’s Underground stations in some of the most dangerous neighborhoods.”
- “Where Psychology Meets Music: Classical Plays A Role” by Pierre Ruhe ,The Atlantic Journal-Constitution (August 15, 2006). If you are not a Shopaholic it could be the music the stores are playing. Classical music encourages shoppers to buy more products increasing their spending. Classical music is considered elegant, sophisticated, and classy and persuades us to buy the higher priced, better quality item.
- Classical music enhances learning by helping your brain concentrate better. The mathematical component of music, the rhythm, exercises the brain as sports exercises the body.
How Does It Work?
Playing classical music activates nerve cells in the brain, rewiring synapses, increasing brain function. Rhythm to life and music. So what it really means is that it actually vibrates, vibrates the body, that the brain has some kind of stimulus from it! Basically because it’s a vibration that moves through your body-you can feel it. Dr. Oliver Sacks, MD, a noted Neurologist author of “The Awakening” and a pianist since childhood. Says, “Music has the power to organize.” Music because of its power to organize the brain can be a powerful tool for teaching and retraining children and adults. Through the power of music, the brain can re-develop and regenerate through the playing of music and can stimulate the brain to promote scholastic aptitude.
Madeline’s 8 Musical Tips for Nov. 06
- Research shows that children and adults study better and get higher grades on tests while listening to Mozart and Bach.
- Studies show that shoppers buy more things while listening to Classical Music.
- Play classical music on buses to make school buses safer.
- Parents make sure Bach and Mozart are on your child’s I-pod.
- Play classical music in the hallways while students are changing classes.
- Numerous studies have shown that students studying musical instruments for extended periods do up to 20% higher on achievement tests- IOWA, CTBS, and SAT than students not studying musical instruments.
- To help some one you love remember, play the music they love best!
- To lesson tremors and improve balance and movement, play a loved ones favorite dance music and have them move to it!