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Music & the Mind
Adapted from the Music & the Mind Info Sheet
Music. The wonder of sound with melody, harmony, and rhythm. It brings rest to the weary, energy to the tired, and enjoyment to all. So what does music have to do with the mind? Most of our body functions originate in the mind, from walking to hormone production, the brain is the control center.
The mind interprets and is affected by music based on several different factors such as: what music you have been exposed to and how much you’ve been exposed to it. The advanced musician actually ‘hears’ more harmony than the unlearned ear. Different styles of music affect individuals differently, but there are some commonalities that remain for us all.
Fast tempo’s (for the sake of simplicity I am using this term loosely) can raise the heart rate, raise blood pressure, and impart energy (by how the mind reacts to the music being played or sung). Even cognitive function is increased with some of the more energetic forms of music. Slow songs lower the heart rate and blood pressure, while relaxing us. But it is not tempo alone that affects us.
Harmonies and melodies activate the temporal lobes and can help brain damaged or brain diseased persons perform daily tasks which they could not perform without music. Music can also increase endorphin levels, those happy hormones, decreasing the need for pain medication. It can regulate many of the different stress hormones and it can boost the immune system.
It is very clear that music has a direct physiological and psychological effect on our minds. So, what is the best music for the mind? It depends. What kind of answer is that? The best one. Let me explain.
First you should know the music that has been studied the most in relation to the brain is primarily western music. (Classical, most of Europe, all North American (non-native) are all considered western music.)
We are not the same emotionally from day to day. Some days we are under more stress than others, some days we are tired and lethargic, some days we are rushed and pressed on all sides. What you listen to the day you are tired will not be what you need on the busy day. Music needs to be appropriate to the situation, much like calorie intake or nutritional supplementation. But this doesn’t mean we let our emotions choose the music for us. Principle must dictate the best course.
When we are down cast and tired, we need stimulating music. Perhaps “Marching to Zion” or “Marches in C Major” by Mozart. And conversely when we are running in all directions, something more soothing is required. Thus we can use music consciously to control our own emotional state.
When music is allowed to run our emotions out of our control, this can produce harmful effects. Hypnotic states, aggressive emotions, and other negative effects are used by the music master Satan to increase violence, make wrong seems funny or right, and reduce inhibitions to sin. And it’s not always bad music that is the trouble, sometimes it is good music at the wrong time that can produce the undesirable effect. Many documentary use classical and other music to sway the viewer to accept an error, such as evolutionary theories or to laugh (which is a form of acceptance) at poor or un-Biblical principles.
Music is a wonderful resource that should be studied, not just appreciated at face value. It has power to do a world of good, but can be used improperly. I encourage you to study it for yourself. You may have notice I’ve not got into Classical vs Rock or other such debates. We’ll get more into that in the Info sheet mentioned below. Not to mention, God gives timeless principles which span any music, not just the current styles.
A.P.