Musical learning has additional implications for processes involved in presenting a piece from memory or performing in a play or a dance. Like the universe with its billions of stars, the human brain is a constellation of billions of neural cells which communicate with one another by forming networks that are the basis of human awareness and memory.
Learning a scientific theory is a process of forming connections among these cells. Similarly, learning a piece of music through memory is similar to the clustering of the planetary systems and stars.
But why would humans have evolved to become musical creatures? Among evolutionary biologists, there is great controversy over this question. Making and listening to music is a social activity, and could thus have improved cohesion among members of the species.
Music may have historically served to promote feelings of group togetherness and synchrony in ancient societies. One strong evidence is the existence of music across cultures, and across history. No known human culture now or anytime in the past lacked music.
Clearly though, we don't all find pleasure in the same music; and what determines whether we end up loving is mostly a matter of what we listen to when we're young. Studies suggest that we start listening to and remembering music in the womb, it's in our teens that we choose the specific sort of music that we'll love forever.
Our brains have evolved to respond to music in this way; in other words, it is no accident, and rather it's by evolutionary design that we are so good at processing music.
According to researchers, Listening and participating in music creates new neural pathways in your brain that stimulate creativity. Studies have shown that music actually trains the brain for higher forms of thinking. Music stimulates the mind, encourages creativity and helps to lay a foundation for learning that leads to higher intelligence and aptitude.
A human brain is divided into two hemispheres, the right hemisphere has been traditionally identified as the seat of music appreciation. However, no one has found a "music center" there, or anywhere else. Studies of musical understanding in people who have damage to either hemisphere, as well as brain scans of people taken while listening to tunes, reveal that music perception emerges from the interplay of activity in both sides of the brain.
Some brain circuits respond specifically to music; but, as you would expect, parts of these circuits participate in other forms of sound processing. For example, the region of the brain dedicated to perfect pitch is also involved in speech perception.
Music therapy has been around for thousands of years, since the time of the ancient Greeks. Its popularity has recently increased as its been used more in recent years. It is used to raise spirits and also used in conjunction with anesthesia to alleviate pain. Newer methods of musical therapy used are exposing them to new music and even song writing. Music; the universal language.
After writing all these, I recollect a few lines written by me and my band mates. The song is dedicated to music, we feel that music doesn't belong to a religion, caste, creed or culture. Music is universal and we devote our lives to music.
ना ही सरहद, ना लकीरें
ना ही भाषा, ना दरारें
ना ही वर्ण है, ना है जाति
तुम ही जीवन, तुम ही साथी
तुम हो प्राण, तुम हो ईश्वर
तुम ही आत्मा, तुम परमेश्वर
ना ही भाषा, ना दरारें
ना ही वर्ण है, ना है जाति
तुम ही जीवन, तुम ही साथी
तुम हो प्राण, तुम हो ईश्वर
तुम ही आत्मा, तुम परमेश्वर
Hm... Interesting. Btw, you heard of this person Bopanna or whatever who used to sell these tapes that had some river music were supposed to enhance memory, improve concentration etc.?
ReplyDeleteNopes, have never heard about him. Will surely try to find out.
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