Therapeutic Effects of Music

Paper Summary:

This paper describes the author's experience of attending a classical music concert and the emotions that were felt from listening to the music. The author gives a background of the orchestra that played, then explores the impact and influence of music on its listeners and its therapeutic effects as well. The paper concludes with a discusison of how classical music appreciation is becoming more widespread.

From the Paper:

"The concept of music as therapy is a very mainstream idea, however, very few people really understand the nuances of musical therapy. People tend to think that any type of background music will cause them to become calm and focused, receiving the therapeutic effects of music. Quite to the contrary Dr. Oliver Sacks, a neurologist writes that there is a strong difference between recreational music and therapeutic music. He explains, "the power of music to integrate and cure is quite fundamental. It is the profoundest non-chemical medication" (Sacks, npg). The beauty of music in general is that music is very easily absorbed by our minds. Since it is such an easy integrating method with our brains, we can achieve a sense of greater peace and tranquility when fully concentrating on music. At the core level, classical music is one of the strongest therapeutic musical mediums. This is because the therapeutic affect of music can be strongly attributed to the natural phenomenon of entrainment through rhythm. The concept of entrainment is to synchronize with something or someone, in both positive and negative ways. The effect of classical music as therapy is multifold, it is both psychological as well as physical. Sound is a physical force and part of the affect of classical music is to use the combination of mental and physical sensations caused by the music. As a result, classical music such Mozart's no. 23 Concerto affect not only the mind, but also how the immune system reacts. Music is entrenched in such a way that it becomes catalysts for emotional and mood adjuster, precisely because it uses physical sensation as a trigger for emotions and thoughts."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Harper, Celia. The Healing Power of Music. Positive Health. 3 Feb. 2007 <http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Sound_and_Music/ harper68.htm>.
• Weiss, Michael J. "Death of the Arts Snob? - American attitudes of the theater." American Demographics (June 2001).
• Hoffman, Janalea. "Therapeutic Use of Music." POST-POLIO HEALTH 22.1 (Winter 2006): 51-54.
• Watson, Richard. Learning with Mozart . July 1999. BBC. 3 Feb. 2007 <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/387632.stm>.
• Vanasco, Jennifer. American classical music: Exploring roots, reflections. Jan. 1998. Chicago Chronicle. 3 Feb. 2007 <http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/ 980108/musymp.shtml>.

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