The Muse To Remove Your Icks

The swift gliding of the stick over the violin strings is in sync with the pitch of words. Now, wait for it... the flawlessly timed beats on the drum slowly inspire your feet to move and sing along. It's all beautiful!

'Confession- the past week, Spotify was my most used app'

' ... Spotify? That app with the green wifi logo that plays ads.'

'Yup, that's the one.'

Um, yes, so... Spotify- Since the past few months, it has earned its spot as one of my favorite apps. Which rightly puts me in the category of a music lover. In doing so, I've noticed that songs and music tend to be addictive. And I decided to find out why people often engage in listening to those melodies because, at its core, music is nothing but a sound. How is it that a mere sound has the power to affect our emotions and thoughts? Here goes the Wikipedia knowledge I was able to gather- (Advance apologies for the upcoming science-y stuff)

As per physics, music or sound is nothing but a mechanical wave. It follows the definition and characteristics similar to that of a water wave. But what makes music have an impact on our moods and thoughts? How does a simple mechanical wave trigger emotions and the aura around us? That's when biology comes in. The ear picks up these sounds and sends them to the brain (via action potential). During this process, the ear also controls the volume and frequency at which sound enters.

Welcome to the brain! Here is where the important work takes place. Certain parts of the brain work together in analyzing and decoding these sounds. And the areas that carry out such processes happen to be in charge of emotions, memories, language, etc. Thus, giving music access to some of the integral parts of the brain.

Okay, I know what you're thinking- Ann, so what should I do? How's this going to help me?

Ahh, well, do you have Parkinson's disease or dyslexia? Yes? Then music therapy is going to help you maintain your dopamine levels. And are you a child? Yes? Wonderful. It means that music can enhance your verbal intelligence.

But to be influenced by any music does not depend on your age or health. Be it the strings on a guitar or the beats of a drum, it can widely affect anyone. For instance, when the lyrics of a song are in tune with my thoughts, I feel understood, not alone, and hopeful. Most certainly providing a sense of calmness. It allows us to lose touch with reality and also reconnect to it. Sometimes, a particular piece could resonate with a memory or a person.

Songs also help connect people of all kinds. History has proven countless times how they can stimulate oneness among people. It stood for a sense of freedom. Even today, it is a powerful form of communication. Forming connections via music is not limited to a certain age. I've seen 12-year-olds bond with 50-year-olds when a song comes up on the radio. Heck, people make friends because of songs and artists. No more awkward silences when you meet new people; fill the gaps with music!

And on an individual level too, music helps us fight our battles. Be it inspiring motivation or unwinding after a long day, I think it is fair to say that- no matter how many different varieties of this art form come in, music, as a whole, is constantly changing lives.

Songs are more than a background distraction. They come with their own stories. And the same song can spell out different words to different people. It could mean anything from a happy memory to difficult times. So the next time you listen to a pleasant sound, try and be grateful to whosoever made it and obviously, your brain.

Signed,

Ann.

P.S: Because this is a blog about music, here are some of the artists and songs that I play on repeat-

The 5SOS, Older, OK, Kids are born stars, pov, and Coping.