Posted on 05/13/2024 4:58:54 AM PDT by Vigilanteman
A gray-haired older woman sat motionless with her gaze lowered. In the late stages of dementia, she no longer spoke to others or made eye contact.
When Ayako Yonetani started playing the violin, the woman slowly lifted her head.
“Her mouth moved, and her eyes brightened as if she heard my music and was trying to follow it,” recounted Ms. Yonetani, a concert artist and professor of violin and viola at the University of Central Florida School of Performing Arts.
Those who spent time with the older woman were astonished. “They had never seen her react like this before,” she said. But this was only one of many times that Ms. Yonetani had seen such a thing.
One study published in the 1990s in the journal Nature drew people’s attention.
Three groups of participants were instructed to either sit in silence, listen to a relaxation tape, or listen to Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D major (K448). Ten minutes later, the group who listened to Mozart’s music showed a significant improvement in spatial IQ score—nearly 10 points higher than the other two groups.
(Excerpt) Read more at theepochtimes.com ...
Fine music requires a taste for it, and an understanding of the hearts of its composers for a full appreciation of the words and chord progressions that carry one along.
Without the bonding and intimacy of that shared experience, the relationship will likely, in time, falter.
“Music and the Spoken Word” is my ideal church service: 5 minutes of talk, 20 minutes of great music. My late wife put me on to it.
Besides growing up listening to classical music (parents and grandparents had some of them on 78 rpm, even) 1950s-60s also the era of the likes of Mantovani, 101 Strings, etc. who did amalgams of popular music with orchestral. (Also kudos to Carl Stalling)
My favorites: Bach, Haydn, Chopin, Beethoven.
Nothing gives me a positive jolt like Eric Clapton and “She’s Gone.” My playlist for walking begins with Yes and “Siberian Khatru”...live versions for both.
Nothing compares to Mozart when it comes to meditation and relaxation.
Coincidentally, I kick butt at Jeopardy now.
I would call “Enter Sandman” as classic music.
When my now 25 year old son was a baby we would put him to bed and play the Peanuts Christmas Special CD every night. I found it very relaxing myself. Even as a toddler we would put him to bed and start that CD. I sometimes fell asleep on his bed after reading him a story.
I agree with most everything the article said. I enjoy several kinds of music, classical being one. In fact, I often wish more people did, so that I could share that joy and fascination without seeming pompous or formal.
I was hoping the article would include some reaction to other forms of popular music on the brain, other styles that have eclipsed the sales of rock. Country Music, Hip Hop , even dare I say it, Rap “music”, are forms of music that deserve closer study and evaluation
How do these forms effect the listener’s brain?
For those who may have folks with alzheimers or other dementias, using period styling such as what they grew up with when young, and play8ng music that they listened to supposedly helps calm them and put them at ease.
When I listen to classical out in the shop or barn most of the cats filter in, settle down and clean or doze off. Interesting to see.
Local classical station announcer tells a story about a man coming up to him at a pre-concert talk and sharing his young child had sensory issues and refused to communicate. One day while playing the classical music station the man noticed the child seemed more animated. As time went by the child started humming along with music that had become familiar to the child. Fast forward and that child just graduated from law school.
Cats are one of the smartest creatures with four feet. It figures!
When my wife was pregnant with our first daughter, I used to put a speaker to her belly and play Mozart at a soft volume. That girl turned out to be a nearly model person: sharp as a pin, creative, disciplined, well balanced, and even-tempered, just like Mozart’s music.
My parents had a huge collection of Gilbert & Sullivan albums, which I used to listen to endlessly. I am sure that this helped me develop a gift for speaking, upon which I have built a successful career.
No Wagner.
A couple months ago my wife happened to have some classical music playing as a spring storm began and noticed our dog just continued curled up in her usual nap.
Before, even in the Thundershirt, she would be shivering and moving around the room panting. Now we turn the music on whenever the weather turns noisy.
I have just finished resurecing my stereo and cds. I have a good collection and have been listening culling g and repairing. It makes me so happy!
Some movie themes have a wonderful orchestral arrangement that I thoroughly enjoy (e.g. Dances With Wolves).
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