There are many myths surrounding the influence of music on learning and intelligence. Perhaps everyone has heard the most common one: if a child is forced to listen to Mozart from birth, he will grow up talented. Is it so? When and how did the persistent idea that music influences the mind appear?
We understand the structure of popular myths: we look for evidence or debunk them.
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Classical music for health
More recently, it has become clear that classical music, which has become unfashionable to listen to, has a positive effect in the treatment of many diseases. It does not replace medications, but it relieves negative stress well and normalizes the biorhythms of human organs.
Mozart
The works of this composer carry maximum positive energy, because major notes predominate in them. They help with headaches, mobilize brain activity and form clear thoughts. Mozart's music is especially often played for those suffering from cancer.
There is a known case when the milk yield of cows was experimentally increased by playing Mozart compositions to them.
Mendelssohn
It is not for nothing that one of the most significant events in every person’s life takes place to the tune of “Mendelssohn’s Wedding March” - a wedding. His works can instill self-confidence, increase self-esteem and help get rid of insecurity. “Spring Song” treats headaches, and “Wedding March” normalizes heart activity and blood pressure.
Strauss
His works of classical music online and in recordings have been listened to by many generations of people. The talent of this composer resulted in beautiful waltzes and piercingly tender works that can put any person in a lyrical mood, giving him peace and satisfaction. Indeed, those who suffer from migraines, headaches and nervous breakdowns are advised to listen to Strauss' music.
Beethoven
One has only to remember this composer and “Moonlight Sonata” comes to mind. What could be more beautiful than these gentle, enveloping sounds? Only the singing of birds or the rustling of leaves on an amazing moonlit summer night. Each work of Beethoven, “Moonlight Sonata” or “Fur Elise” is a meaningful musical poem about the life and feelings of a person who is able to talk about his experiences through sounds. Those who are under constant emotional stress or prone to depression should listen to the immortal masterpieces of the great composer.
Bach
Bach's music (especially organ pieces) has an amazing stimulating effect on the development of logical thinking, memory and concentration. It is recommended to listen to his music for those who do not like exact sciences. It helps a person develop talent for mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
The immortal works of Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Chopin, Schubert and many other composers are the key to a person’s spiritual health and physical well-being.
Who among us has not listened to music during difficult moments in our lives? Not many people who. Scientists have proven that listening to classical works affects the human nervous system on a par with antidepressants and sedatives. The advantage here is that, unlike drugs, music does not cause side effects or poison the body.
Fifteen minutes of listening to a classical piece is equal in value to one hour of exposure to fresh air.
In the morning, listen to the cheerful, light sounds of classical melodies. During the lunch break there are invigorating marches. For the evening, it is advisable to leave calm, lyrical works, listening to which you will gratefully remember the past day and look forward to the next one. It will help those who suffer from insomnia to fall asleep peacefully and sleep soundly.
It is important to select compositions in accordance with your inner mood and state of health. If you want to calm down and think about an important problem, it should be a calm, peaceful melody. If the goal is to cheer up or get into a warlike mood (in the good sense of the word), choose Bach or the “almighty” Mozart. If you turn on a song and feel discomfort, do not force yourself, choose another one or turn off the music. Otherwise, instead of a positive effect, you will get the opposite - negative. This can completely ruin your mood and make you give up music altogether for a long time.
The recommendations given for listening to classical music also apply to folklore works. Or those that are written based on them. The perception of musical works largely depends on the nationality of people. Let’s say it’s difficult for a Japanese person to appreciate the works of Mozart or Bach . And for a European, the traditional music of the Japanese people with purring sounds and piercing notes is not always pleasant to the ear. Therefore, music therapists recommend listening to classical and folk music created by composers of the nationality to which you belong. For general development, it is, of course, useful to listen to other works, but you should not get carried away with them. Ethnic motifs can cleanse the human body and the surrounding space from negativity and filth, give strength to live and work, saturate the biofield with positive energy and activate vital centers.
A little history
People discovered the positive effect of music a long time ago. For example, in ancient Egypt, choral singing was performed to ease the suffering of the sick, as it was believed that it helps relieve pain.
Pythagoras was of the opinion that it can motivate achievement, develop and calm, even in moments when a person is angry.
And ancient Chinese doctors even prescribed songs as the main treatment. And any disease. In Rus', bells were rung, oddly enough, to relieve headaches, migraines, and also to remove the evil eye.
Avicenna used quiet and slow melodies to heal people suffering from psychiatric illnesses.
Musical instruments and their effect on the body
When starting a conversation about musical instruments, it should be noted that we are talking about performing classical music on them.
- Piano or grand piano . People who love and know how to play these instruments have a stable psyche. It has been established that keyboard instruments can have a positive effect on the functioning of the kidneys, thyroid gland and genitourinary system.
- Cello, violin, harp (string instruments) . The sounds of these instruments stabilize the functioning of the cardiovascular system and normalize blood pressure.
- Trumpet, double bass, flute. People who play wind instruments are distinguished by the fact that they rarely suffer from diseases of the bronchopulmonary system. In addition, the body's blood vessels are not clogged with cholesterol plaques and remain in good shape.
- Drums, cymbals, xylophone . They have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart, blood vessels, liver and kidneys.
Average volume
The human ear is designed to handle a certain level of volume. When it is exceeded, destructive processes begin in the body, and they affect not only hearing, but also the nervous system.
Research conducted at the University of Illinois shows that normal performance is maintained up to 70 dB. Among the recommended means to increase it are headphones that protect not only from sounds from the street, but also from conversations of colleagues.
For listening, it is best to choose sounds of nature or music: classics, melodies without words or soundtracks to video games. Moreover, the volume should be moderate - it is in this case that scientists promise the greatest effectiveness.
How classical music affects children
Doctors recommend starting to listen to classical music, starting from the period when the baby is in the womb. The list of composers recommended by pediatricians is extensive. Among them are the following:
- Mozart;
- Vivaldi;
- Strauss;
- Chopin and others.
The main thing is that the music contains major notes, and mom also enjoys listening to it. Choose pieces based on your own mood and your baby’s reaction to the music.
Recommendations for children listening to music
The main goal of music therapy is to help a person and not harm his mental state. Therefore, there are several recommendations that it is advisable to take into account:
- The speakers from which music sounds must be at least a meter away from the child;
- The sound should not be too loud or too quiet. Choose a volume that is acceptable for you and your baby;
- If you turn on classical music in the morning, before your child's afternoon and evening sleep for half an hour, this is quite enough. It’s good when a child falls asleep to the gentle melodies of classical composers.
It’s not always possible to turn on classical music for your children when you need it, so listen when you can.
It's great if classical music plays in the background while eating or playing. Change the compositions as your baby gets bored with them.
Scientists all over the world are arguing about the need to create an entire science - music therapy. The conclusions and postulates of this teaching are controversial. The same classical work can have the opposite effect on each person. The results of the research activities of music therapists are the collection of statistical data on the influence of music on people. Classical music will have a positive impact on both an adult and a child only if he really wants to listen to it. In addition, the choice of melodies directly depends on the baby’s temperament. It is best if mother and child choose a suitable piece together. Then, with the help of music, you can even adjust the mood and emotional state of your child.
What is the “Mozart effect”?
Recently, the “Mozart effect” has often been mentioned. Its essence lies in the fact that Mozart’s music can significantly improve the mental abilities of any person.
To prove this statement, they often refer to an example from the life of the famous French cinema artist Gerard Depardieu. When Gerard arrived in the capital of France, wanting to master the profession of an artist, he stuttered and also had a bad memory. Depardieu turns to a doctor who used new advanced treatment methods. The doctor advises Gerard Depardieu to devote several hours every day to listening to Mozart's music.
The future artist did not neglect the doctor’s advice, and the result was not long in coming: the stuttering went away, the problem of memorization disappeared. However, it should be remembered that Mozart’s music is not the only solution to the problem of improving memory. A person should listen to those rhythms that do not cause irritation. This is the only way to get the desired result.
There are other methods of using music to significantly improve memory. You can do mental work while turning on soft, pleasant music. If you listen to the same music for some time, a conditioned reflex will soon develop: the brain and memory will automatically tune in to a working mood while listening to familiar sounds. In addition, you can speak over the sound of music the information that you need to remember. It is advisable to listen to such a melody with lyrics for a good effect before going to bed.
