Turn it up. Turn it down. Close the casket: Life Without Music What A Drag!
“Without music, life would be a mistake”- Friedrich Nietzsche
Vast majority of individuals live their lives pondering on the meaning of life. I live mine with a blissful curiosity of how life would be without music. Hold on! Before you start labeling me as being a sadistic non-realist, I’m of the opinion that life without music is one hell of a boring journey on a unicycle. Be my guest if you beg to differ.
Music in itself defines us as human in developing our communication, cognition and empathic abilities. From the ancient Greeks who sang their drama lines, to college students studying whilst pumping Carl Craig through their headphones, there are no doubts the boost music gives to the brain. Albert Einstein is famously known to have figured out his problems and equations by listening and playing music. In a recent article published by Paul Belluck for The New York Times titled To Tug Hearts, Music First Must Tickle the Neurons, reference is made to how music serves as a form of motion and activity for the brain (sort of brain exercise), strengthening and opening up new path ways.
From a biblical account: whenever King Saul was suffering of torments from evil spirits, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
Fast-forward to the post enlightenment era, 1970 to be specific, a group of researchers researching the effects that beats of music have on the human. They found out that slow music could slow the heartbeat and breathing rate, as well as bring down blood pressure levels.
On another health note, Dr. John Diamonds an Australian physician found a direct link in muscle strength and music. He discovered during an experiment all muscles go weak when subjected to “stopped anapestic beat”, now that’s secret for Rockstars living longer lives.
I cannot live without music, when the dark clouds hover upon my shoulders I turn to music let go all the emotions. In times of celebration music is secondary to none (probably a tie with the booze), we escape through music by setting the mood right. Honestly we do not need PhD holders and qualitative researchers telling us the relevance of music, we know it and live it everyday.
Music is an inherent part of our gene coding, we might as well just enjoy and appreciate the different shades and rich textures it add to our individual lives and collective history.
Do share your thoughts and imagination on how life without music would be like. Dennis Acquaye