Music
Ink in between or on the line
Notes rise or fall in measured time
and soon become a whole.
They need not language to describe
author’s intent, how he/she tried
to reach the listener’s soul.
It is then for each to hear
from all nations to our ear
their culture . . . note by note.
In this way of music’s rise
in lifting us up to the skies
we participate in hope.
© Forrest W. Heaton September 2010
2010 Poem. Why a 2010 poem? We feel it was good then, is still good now, and speaks to the subject of this post.
Surround. What would happen if you were to surround yourself with good music throughout the day. We recommend it as one way of easing stress, achieving objectives, and enjoying good music!
What’s on Now. On my laptop: Yo Yo Ma, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Simply Baroque 2, 9 Bach cantatas, 6 cello concertos by Boccherini.
YouTube. I have a tendency to start my day with Mozart although I’ve tried many others. Among the others is Andre Rieu. Of the Rieu options, I selected “Andre Rieu Christmas Down Under.” It's a good example of how a music program can be put together to bring people of many lands together—in this case the three tenors from Australia, Hungary and Belgium, two young women from China, the Rieu entourage, and the audience (predominantly from Australia; the program was filmed in Australia)—typical of a Rieu program, choreographed to quickly bring every one together in the music. It’s up to you what you select. The purpose of this paragraph is to highlight YouTube as a rather unlimited music source.
Playlists. One way you can surround yourself with good music is to create a playlist (or playlists) of music that makes you happy. Then, you can play them through your various devices—Alexa, mobile phone, TV, laptop, etc. For you young people, this is a snap. For older people like me, we may need help, perhaps from a teenager.
Alexa. Amazon’s Echo speaker gives you music throughout your day. It's helpful to ask musically inclined friends what they do to enjoy music thru the day. During the last holidays a friend told us of “instrumental Christmas music.” We have two Echo speakers. We asked Alexa to play instrumental Christmas music which she did throughout our Christmas season. The song selection was good as was the music It was quiet, not to interrupt the conversation when family or friends stopped by.
Brain. Why do people listen to music? Music has deep connections with the brain. Some connections we are aware of, and some are a mystery. For example the New York Times years ago tested medical outcomes with different kinds of music playing. Survival and long term health were highest when music by Mozart was playing during treatment or a procedure. I don’t believe we know why this was or is. But I try to have Mozart playing during my treatments and procedures.
Illness or Injury. Writing about music’s potentially healing powers in the treatment of afflictions, the Los Angeles Times, in March 2010, wrote: “Researchers are finding that music may be an effective balm for many afflictions: the isolation of conditions such as autism and Alzheimer’s disease, the disability that results from stroke. Neuroscientists are looking to uncover the scientific basis for music’s healing powers . They are trying to understand how music can help rewire a brain affected by illness or injury, or provide a work-around for injured or underperforming brain regions.”