Music has been found as an Escape Route, a Therapy.
Ever listen to something, and realize that it reminds you of some past experience?
You're not alone. There's been studies that show how music therapy works wonders for past psychological patients that just did not quite recover.
But you don't need to be in an asylum to realize how powerful music is: For music, helps the heart, motivates the mind, and soothes the soul.
It helps the heart: I know for one that music is my getaway on when I feel down. Not only does the iPod or iTunes help the mood in playing emotional or passionate music when needed, but even just sitting in front of a piano, in a darkened room; it's surprisingly calming, especially when you play whatever your heart desires.
It motivates the mind: Stress is one of those big, rising issues when it comes with people of the modern lifestyle. It seems like school years for college kids nowadays are just filled with preparation of this class, followed by work for this class, an essay or two here, a project there, and BOOM, you get finals. Not only does this stress build up and weaken your immune system-making you more susceptible to nasty sicknesses, it also takes a toll on your mind. Eventually, you just don't think as well, and you're no longer "you." A simple break from the busy worker bee mentality from work or school works wonders. Regardless if you're going to pull out your violin and jam with your friends, or just listen to Coldplay. Your mind will thank you for it.
And finally, it soothes the soul. I'm not talking about just listening to the classics. Even if you have the urge to listen to Soulja Boy, go for it; whatever floats your boat. As the soul is the most abstract of the three things I've mentioned, the benefits is probably the most difficult to comprehend. People have told me how relaxing it is to compose, or simply spend 15-30 minutes improvising on one basic theme. The end result is certainly surprising. One classmate of mine composed something in his own free time, later, the school symphony orchestra performed it in the Student Concerto Concert; it was the hit of the concert. Like my conductor once said, "The only thing certain in music, is nothing is for certain."
Number 1 Rule of music: Don't judge, just listen.
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2 comments:
haha sweet
this reminds me a my college entrance essay:
Honestly, I had tried the other stuff. My friends presented me with the cream of their crop, and I had my fill of everything from J-pop to hip-hop, but nothing I know has quite the same energy as mine. When my introduction to the good stuff came around, it was only a matter of time before I was addicted to trance.
Sophomore year, I took AP chemistry, a course notorious for its ridiculously lengthy and difficult labs, which often led to long weekend hours spent with classmates attempting to decipher various data charts just to scrape a B. During work for one particularly long lab at my friend Brian’s we decided to take a break from titration curves. He asked me what sort of music I liked. The only music I knew was classical music, but this was not the genre well traded between teens of my age. I responded with “Whatever you like.” We listened from his favorite category. Here I found the musical connection for which I had been searching.
Widely known through tracks such as “Sandstorm” by Darude, trance is a combination of techno’s hard beat and the melodic progressions of deep house. What does that mean? It means that a three year long addiction to trance has left me with knowledge comparable to Lewis and Clark’s expedition. I’ve been a long way now, learned much, and yet I’m only scratching the surface.
Most believe trance repetitive, boring, and intended for use with drugs. This is purely stereotype. While some gripe that trance is lacking in meaning because there are very few words, I can hardly agree. When I flip on the radio, I get pop, punk, rock, anything popular enough to be broadcast. They have many words in them. So what if trance has fewer words? Content does not lie in vocals.
Note: trance is not for the faint of heart. If several minutes of subtle changes and buildup leave you comatose, then this is not for you. For example: “Sunset Girl” by ATB.
You start with drumbeat and baseline, and new voices come in every so often. The complexity of the sound increases continually. Eventually the track becomes a symphony of parts and reaches a climax in which you can hear each original part melding together to create euphony. Eventually, the pieces begin to drop out one by one, synths, piano, pizzicatos, bells, strings, until you are left again with the simple drumbeat and baseline, tapering out to oblivion. You hardly know that seven minutes has passed except that now you are late to class.
We read books and watch movies and soap operas so that our emotions are manipulated. There is nothing more enjoyable than emotion. Not “Emotion” by Airbase, but the anticipation that clenches your throat when three minutes of buildup explodes into exhilaration in the pit of your gut; despair transforms into delight as the theme moves from minor to major; subtle chord progressions strum your heartstrings until you know that this is true love, and “True Love Never Dies” by Rank 1.
I still love classical music. I can visit Italy by listening to “Pines of Rome” by Respighi. Thing is, there are no words. Understand? With or without words, a message’s meaning is felt in your heart.
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