What Is Your Music Doing For You? The #1 Sound Your Brain Desperately Wants to Hear

[Michie]

This timeless practice has remarkable benefits for the human mind.​

Every once in a while, you run into a new piece of information that really opens your eyes to a whole new world.

Today, I am taking a break from the regular news cycle to bring you something that really rocked my world: this Epoch Times article on classical music.

Now, before you close this page, thinking this Substack will be a waste of time, give me just two short minutes to prove why you are wrong.

It turns out the “Mozart effect” truly exists, and you don’t have to be a musician to reap the benefits. Take dementia patients, for example.

Professional violinist Ayako Yonetani told The Epoch Times that when she performs for people with dementia, something remarkable happens: they often become more alert, are visibly moved by the music, and at times experience moments of clarity with their families again.

In one particular case, a gray-haired older woman, whose cognition was degraded to sitting motionless with her gaze lowered, suddenly had “her eyes brightened” as she tried to follow along with Yonetani’s performance.

The family reported that “They had never seen her react like this before,” but Ms. Yonetani says this was just one of many times where she noticed a staggering response in dementia patients.

Continued below.

The #1 Sound Your Brain Secretly Wants to Hear

This timeless practice has remarkable benefits for the human mind.

www.vigilantfox.com

 

[BassLine]

Not only classical music, but other genres, including jazz, pop, folk, and rock, also build new connections in the brain. Recent improvements in imaging technology show exactly which parts of the brain are affected by musical components like tempo, rhythm, syncopation, pitch, harmony, volume, and timbre. Music creates new connections between the auditory, motor, and emotional portions of the brain. The new connections impact things ranging from immune response to learning to manual dexterity, to why you may want to dance or tap a foot, or why you get goose bumps. IOW, Plato and Aristotle were on to something, and rock 'n' roll doesn't necessarily rot your mind, but it does change it.

Folks interested in the topic might check these two short YouTube videos and the references they include:

How does music affect your brain (don't be put off by the initial rock riffs)
This episode of Tech Effects explores the impact of music on the brain and body. From listening to music to performing it, WIRED's Peter Rubin looks at how music can change our moods, why we get the chills, and how it can actually change pathways in our brains.

Can Music Transform Your Brain (a bit more academic on music and cognition)
By Dr. Daniel Levitin, the James McGill Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Neuroscience at McGill University)

===========
Lady: Are you the police?
Elwood Blues: No, ma'am, we're musicians ... We're on a mission from God.

 

[The Barbarian]

The word is frisson. It describes the effects of a shot of dopamine released into your brain that causes the skin to feel a rush and gives you a feeling of release, focus, well-being and clarity.

Lay Down Your Weary Tune, performed by Dylan, always does it for me. In another way, Men of Harlech will do it. And White Rabbit; Gracie Slick does it to me every time.

 

[stevevw]

Yes this is true. Music is an amazing language and therapy. It goes beyond conventional therapies and communications. Music ignites all the aspects of mind in hearing and vision like a painting can on the canvas, Go beyond the strumming of strings and paint on the canvas. Painting the picture in your mind.

We have a music group at a homeless hub and many homeless relate to music for some reason. I know its associated with busking for income. But many are artistically inclined an have a story to tell. They can express themselves easier this way than other ways and its powerful.

I remember a lady who came into a aged care facility I worked at and had a group playing the good old songs from their generation. You would see some get up and start dancing and singing along.

They say that in hearing the music they may have associated with a memory this then connects other memories. But it was the music that opened the door to what conventional treatment could not do.

For me when I'm stressed or maybe feeling a bit off I can play the guitar and try to sing for an hour or so and when I finish its like I have gone away somewhere to wherever the music took me. It expresses something you cannot do with conventional ways. Which is why I guess its spiritual and theraputic.

 

[stevevw]

The word is frisson. It describes the effects of a shot of dopamine released into your brain that causes the skin to feel a rush and gives you a feeling of release, focus, well-being and clarity.

Lay Down Your Weary Tune, performed by Dylan, always does it for me. In another way, Men of Harlech will do it. And White Rabbit; Gracie Slick does it to me every time.

Yes 'White Rabbit' almost a cultural song of a generation. Even the tone of the music seems to match the psychedelic words and connotations. A lot of the music from this time was of this nature. For me it was Joni Mitchell - Woodstock, not CSNY. It captured the time and cultural worldview.
not CSNY. Ironically Joni did not attend Woodstock but seemed to capture the time brilliantly.

Dylan is unsurpassed as far as capturing a culture. I remember him saying in an interview how when he was writing those songs that it was like a gift from the universe and something special that he cannot do anymore. Like the words came to him anf flowed. Such as "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)". Or maybe it was a little too much punch at a Mama Cass party up in Laurel Canyon who knows lol.

Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn
Suicide remarks are torn
From the fool's gold mouthpiece the hollow horn
Plays wasted words
Proves to warn that he not busy being born is busy dying

 

[The Barbarian]

Dylan is unsurpassed as far as capturing a culture. I remember him saying in an interview how when he was writing those songs that it was like a gift from the universe and something special that he cannot do anymore. Like the words came to him anf flowed. Such as "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)". Or maybe it was a little too much punch at a Mama Cass party up in Laurel Canyon who knows lol.

Lay down your weary tune got me through a rough patch spiritually.

Lay down your weary tune, lay down
Lay down the song you strum
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum

I stood unwound beneath the skies
And clouds unbound by laws
The crying rain like a trumpet sang
And asked for no applause

 

[stevevw]

Lay down your weary tune got me through a rough patch spiritually.

Lay down your weary tune, lay down
Lay down the song you strum
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum

I stood unwound beneath the skies
And clouds unbound by laws
The crying rain like a trumpet sang
And asked for no applause

I really wish there was some artist who expressed the culture like Dylan today.

 

[stevevw]

Amy Winehouse sort of captured something. Like a reincarnation of an old soul lol. Though she got a bit dark in the end. Pity she didn't sort herself out as I think she could have been great the way she could capture life, unfortunately often the negative side so well.

 

[Michie]

Amy Winehouse sort of captured something. Like a reincarnation of an old soul lol. Pity she didn't sort herself out as I think she could have been great.

Amy Winehouse was so gifted. Such a shame.

 

[stevevw]

One more thing. I reckon the best chance of seeing a music artist who is reflecting the culture today is busking on the streets. Many are never commercialised but boy there are some good musos out there. I think the basic quality is believability.

Even if the voice is not the best like Dylans. Its an embodiment of life in music. But also these musicians express themselves through the music as opposed to art or literature. They are not just playing the tune but living it I think.

Sorry but music is my thing lol.

 

[stevevw]

Amy Winehouse was so gifted. Such a shame.

Yes its a strange thing that some of these great artist die young and often through self inflicted lives. Look at Kurt Kobain who I think was also like a reincarnation of an old blues singer at heart. But really pioneered a new kind of music that represented his generation.

Or of course the classic icon of artistic music in Jim Morrison. Who actually was an arty academic and a poet before a muso. Though his rantings became wierd in the end lol. But each captured a time well for what it was.

I think it was partly because they died young and lived on the edge is what gave them that edge and their downfall. They became their lyrics or were their lyrics.

 

[The Barbarian]

Or of course the classic icon of artistic music in Jim Morrison. Who actually was an arty academic and a poet before a muso. Though his rantings became wierd in the end lol. But each captured a time well for what it was.

I think it was partly because they died young and lived on the edge is what gave them that edge and their downfall. They became their lyrics or were their lyrics.

And then the movie, with Val Kilmer, who was perfect for the role, riding the same highway in his own way.

 

[BassLine]

One more thing. I reckon the best chance of seeing a music artist who is reflecting the culture today is busking on the streets. Many are never commercialised but boy there are some good musos out there. I think the basic quality is believability.

Even if the voice is not the best like Dylans. Its an embodiment of life in music. But also these musicians express themselves through the music as opposed to art or literature. They are not just playing the tune but living it I think.

Sorry but music is my thing lol.

Yes, you can still find creative musos out busking, playing in local bars, or at Jam sessions, open mics, and song circles.

 

[BassLine]

Yes its a strange thing that some of these great artist die young and often through self inflicted lives. Look at Kurt Kobain who I think was also like a reincarnation of an old blues singer at heart. But really pioneered a new kind of music that represented his generation.

Or of course the classic icon of artistic music in Jim Morrison. Who actually was an arty academic and a poet before a muso. Though his rantings became wierd in the end lol. But each captured a time well for what it was.

I think it was partly because they died young and lived on the edge is what gave them that edge and their downfall. They became their lyrics or were their lyrics.

Yes, sometimes an artist can disappear into the world they sing about. The best ones draw from what they’ve seen or lived, their songs communicating what they feel.

 

[stevevw]

Yes, you can still find creative musos out busking, playing in local bars, or at Jam sessions, open mics, and song circles.

Yes this is where its at I think. We have a local coffee shop/bar called the Tribe which is sort of a community venue for local musos and artist. Local bands get the chance to play and show their talent. They have a Karaoke and an open mike as well.

I have this idea of setting up some sort of community studio like a open mike studio with all the instruments plugged in ready for whoever comes in to play. I have found that talented musos who may be homeless or down on their luck lose their instruments due to being homeless. Having instruments available allows anyone to come in and start playing for free.

You will be surprised how much talent is out there getting lost for one reason or another. Just having a facility to allow such talent can help preserve and nurture it. But also makes it a great place to relax and express music as a therapy.

The place I live Redcliffe in Qld is known as a bit of a music town. We have an lane in the center of the town dedicated to the Bee Gees who began here. There are many festivals, markets with music artists and a history of live entertainment. You hear the Bee Gees story and music coming from the lane and then around the corner a busker. Its great.

 

[The Barbarian]

You hear the Bee Gees story and music coming from the lane and then around the corner a busker. Its great.

Wherever I go, I stop and listen to the buskers. And I drop cash in their hats; those guys add color and culture to our cities. I have quite a collection of busker shots. Maybe that would be a cool exhibit.

Uh... actually that turns out to be Mrs. Barbarian's shot. Let's see...

 

[BassLine]

Wherever I go, I stop and listen to the buskers. And I drop cash in their hats; those guys add color and culture to our cities. I have quite a collection of busker shots. Maybe that would be a cool exhibit.

Barbarian, those are spectacular photos! Thanks for sharing them'

 

[BassLine]

Yes this is where its at I think. We have a local coffee shop/bar called the Tribe which is sort of a community venue for local musos and artist. Local bands get the chance to play and show their talent. They have a Karaoke and an open mike as well.

I have this idea of setting up some sort of community studio like a open mike studio with all the instruments plugged in ready for whoever comes in to play. I have found that talented musos who may be homeless or down on their luck lose their instruments due to being homeless. Having instruments available allows anyone to come in and start playing for free.

You will be surprised how much talent is out there getting lost for one reason or another. Just having a facility to allow such talent can help preserve and nurture it. But also makes it a great place to relax and express music as a therapy.

The place I live Redcliffe in Qld is known as a bit of a music town. We have an lane in the center of the town dedicated to the Bee Gees who began here. There are many festivals, markets with music artists and a history of live entertainment. You hear the Bee Gees story and music coming from the lane and then around the corner a busker. Its great.

Stevevw, That sounds like a great idea. Do you play an instrument?

I mostly play a double bass (a.k.a. upright bass or string bass) or sometimes an electric bass guitar when the weather is too cold, wet, or windy to haul the double bass. At 83, I'm no longer gigging, but I still play in church.

This topic caught my attention as my wife and I just started going out to some coffee shop jam sessions this summer and met some incredibly talented folks... teens through oldies.
---------------------
Lady: Are you the police?
Elwood Blues: No, ma'am, we're musicians ... We're on a mission from God.

 

[chevyontheriver]

This timeless practice has remarkable benefits for the human mind.​

Every once in a while, you run into a new piece of information that really opens your eyes to a whole new world.

Today, I am taking a break from the regular news cycle to bring you something that really rocked my world: thisEpoch Timesarticle on classical music.

Now, before you close this page, thinking this Substack will be a waste of time, give me just two short minutes to prove why you are wrong.

It turns out the “Mozart effect” truly exists, and you don’t have to be a musician to reap the benefits. Take dementia patients, for example.

Professional violinist Ayako Yonetani told The Epoch Times that when she performs for people with dementia, something remarkable happens: they often become more alert, are visibly moved by the music, and at times experience moments of clarity with their families again.

In one particular case, a gray-haired older woman, whose cognition was degraded to sitting motionless with her gaze lowered, suddenly had “her eyes brightened” as she tried to follow along with Yonetani’s performance.

The family reported that “They had never seen her react like this before,” but Ms. Yonetani says this was just one of many times where she noticed a staggering response in dementia patients.

Continued below.

The #1 Sound Your Brain Secretly Wants to Hear

This timeless practice has remarkable benefits for the human mind.

www.vigilantfox.com

The 'Art of the Fugue' really does cure a headache. I first learned that from Steinbeck's 'Log from the Sea of Cortez'. Works for me.

 

[stevevw]

Stevevw, That sounds like a great idea. Do you play an instrument?

Yes mainly guitar, some bass and piano and harp. Some attempt at singing and recording as well. But its been a while and thats why I am now thinking of an open studio as I would like to incorporate social aspect as well. I run a music group at the Homeless Hub. So I get a bit of jamming there.

I mostly play a double bass (a.k.a. upright bass or string bass) or sometimes an electric bass guitar when the weather is too cold, wet, or windy to haul the double bass. At 83, I'm no longer gigging, but I still play in church.

Good stuff. I like the whole big bass and strings kind of music especially fused with say bluegrass. We had a guy come in who played the violin. He travels to the outback and spends time with the Indigenous peoples playing his music. He has a blue tooth device which wirelessly connects to his amp and suddenly theres this violin piecing the hall and everyone looks up lol.

There will be different people some with a guitar, harp or ukulele or play the instruments available like an electric piano and start doing a song lol. Its pretty ab lib so everyones sitting there minding their own business and then without much introduction suddenly some blokes strumming away and singing lol. I may join in and it becomes a bit of a duo lol.

Its frustrating because I see a young guy come in really good and then they disappear. May come back 6 months later and lost their guitar and in all sorts of problems. But give them a guitar and they suddenly become a different person.

I have to mention that as a Christian I tend not to push my belief. Rather I think it can be any music thats sung from the heart is spiritual. I tend to be implicit rather than in your face.

But occassionally there will be a new Christian full of vigor who is singing and praising and I am thinking ok lets see what happens. Some get up and move away. They can only take so much lol. They suddenly think its a church group trying to get them lol. But I do think the culture is conducive of spirituality and Gods spirit is sometimes floating around the place.

This topic caught my attention as my wife and I just started going out to some coffee shop jam sessions this summer and met some incredibly talented folks... teens through oldies.
---------------------
Lady: Are you the police?
Elwood Blues: No, ma'am, we're musicians ... We're on a mission from God.

I loved that movie. That and Devil at the Crossroads, about Robert Johnson. Dylan was asked how he got so famous. He said he did a deal with the the man. What man asks the interviewer. Dylan replies the big chief, you know the one up there lol. Everyone thinks he meant the devil lol.

I have seen the rise of coffee shops, bars, bowls clubs, local clubs doing open mic nights and jams. There was a program happening I heard where Ellaway Music which is a big instrument retail store was sponsoring what they called Weekend Warriors.

Basically any old musos and new musos who ever wanted to experience being in a band go through a 12 week program where people are grouped into bands and then at the end play in from of around a 1,000 or more at a city venue.

I love all this. My mates and I use to have a jam but everyone has moved on. Though this was in the old days when I was not a Christian. After a few drinks and other stuff we thought we were the Beatles lol. But I must say it was the ab lib jamming where I think the best stuff was coming out.

Here is a group who I love and are talented but not really commercial yet and I hope they don't become too commercial because they are natural and unique talents. Speaking of Bass Ren the lead plays a mean bass.

Listen to these voices. Sometimes Ren the lead guy partners with another busker Sam Tompkins and they are amazing I think. It sounds like they are reincarnating all the old and new voices together, even womens voices lol. Just great street talent.