“The Symphony of Life”

“You are my sunshine, My only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray” mothers’ voices sing softly to their children. Have you ever wondered why we sing our children to sleep at night? Why these children grow into teenagers and listen to musical groups that generate songs that seem generations apart? The rhythm of these strange songs seem to have the same affect on them that “You Are My Sunshine” did when they were children. The reason is the same reason that 30 year olds appreciate the classical works of Mozart, the easy listening of Sinatra, and the harmonic saxophone of Kenny G. Music has therapeutic properties. All sorts of music naturally captivate the mind, stimulate the internal energies, and release negative emotions. Music can help the physical body restore itself, the inner-self discover itself, and the mind enhance its creativity and replenish itself.

Therapists have been practicing music therapy throughout history but it has become more recognized in the United States after World War II. As music therapy is a non-threatening technique, it is becoming widespread for treatment of physical, psychological, cognitive, and social-functioning ailments. Certified music therapists have used this powerful technique in many ways. Many therapists use music as a tool for reducing anxiety, managing pain and discomfort, alleviating fears, changing emotional states, increasing awareness of self, aiding in the grieving process, stimulating creative energy, and opening lines of communication. Medically, music therapists are utilizing music to decrease the length of time in the ICU, hospital stays for newborns and time spent under anesthesia. More commonly now, music is used in such areas of the hospital as the operating and recovery rooms, intensive care, oncology, and the nurseries. This alternative therapy is also used for helping patients alleviate insomnia and provide a way toward deeper self-understanding and identity. Music therapy is ever evolving but music therapists’ main focus with this technique is to help cleanse the mind and promote
self-healing.

Although music therapy is used in many ways, the actual musical program and treatment varies per individual. Therapists use music activities both instrumental and vocal that are designed to best treat each individual’s needs. The therapist assesses the individual’s situation and develops appropriate musical experiences that fit the participant’s abilities. Results from musical programs can most often be immediate and participants without previous therapy can benefit. Each individual’s program aims at providing specific treatment but more importantly to improve the overall quality of life.

Even though music therapy is becoming more prominent in the medical field as an alternative treatment, what about the use of music in our everyday lives? Isn’t music already an integral part of our lives? Mothers sing soothing lullabies to their children. Robins and blue jays wake teenagers from a restful sleep. Elevator music plays softly while riders anxiously wait for their floor. And a local jazz band is a couple’s company while they dine at their favorite restaurant. Music therapy as a part of everyday life may go unnoticed, however it should be examined and practiced.

Music therapy is practiced based on two main theories. First, music acts to stimulate the vital internal energies in the body. It serves to balance the energy anatomy. Patterns of sounds arouse the vital energies to vibrate harmoniously with the calming tones. Music can remind the body of its ideal vibratory state. Second, music therapy works through a process called entrainment. This process uses complex rythmatic patterns to stimulate the central nervous system. When entrainment is performed correctly, the stimulus delivers a positive influence over brain function. Keeping in mind the theories of music therapy, the music of everyday life can serve as a continual form of music therapy.

Everyone has a favorite song that when it comes on the radio, the volume knob is turned far right and there is a wave through the body that is pure happiness. This song’s beat has found its way under the skin and it hits deep, into the soul. The memories this song has attached to it have flooded back into the mind and the picture painted is a familiar one. The hair on the outside of the body feels tingly and for mostly women, at times the eyes swell with water of, perhaps, absolute joy. This sensation is the goal of music therapy. From this one song, peoples’ moods can change, stress can be alleviated, and the thought process is clearer. Even though music therapy is becoming widespread, most people in their everyday lives do not realize the extent of benefits of playing their favorite songs as a form of relaxation and restoration.

For another example, picture this situation. A young woman is heading into the city to go on a job interview. The company is the one that she has dreamed of working for since her first year in college. As she pulls in the parking garage, she realizes that she has only fifteen minutes to get to the fourteenth floor and find her way. Her blood pressure rises and she is about to step onto a packed elevator of very intimating men in three-piece suits. She makes it to the company’s lobby and checks in. As she sits, to her surprise, she is calming down and starting to relax. Little does she know, this high powered company purposely plays soothing classical instrumentals in their lobby to alleviate the high pressure atmosphere. Another situation of a mother and daughter on Monday morning is another good example of the useful benefits of music. A mother is driving in rush-hour traffic and there are brake lights flickering everywhere. The clock says ten to nine, the workday starts in ten minutes, and the baby still has to be dropped off at the daycare. Meanwhile, the baby starts to cry while the mother’s tense neck introduces itself SO early this particular morning. What more can she do than flip through the local radio stations. Suddenly while thinking too hard about the upcoming workload, her neck pain begins to subside and the baby stops crying. Unconscious of the situation, the radio was left on an easy-listening station that was playing an 8-beat drum number. These musical experiences are just a few that float by unnoticed. Everyday life gets hectic and many small ways to create pleasure and balance are not realized.

Because music has therapeutic properties and can captivate the mind, body, and spirit, use music as an advantage in your everyday routine. Play the radio for your unborn child, continue to sing to your children who have trouble sleeping at night, play your favorite CD while you hoe weeds or while you take a soothing bath. Understand why your teenagers are attracted to certain types of music. Make it a point to listen to Pavarotti while you paint with your favorite watercolors or while you do your least favorite household chore. Get in the habit of introducing your children to different cultural music that is known for great drum beats or elegant violins. Begin to appreciate the music of your parents’ generation and the music that your best friend says is “marvelous.” Stop at the end caps at Target and don’t be afraid to play a sample of every one of those inspirational CD’s. For these musical experiences could have a profound affect on your inner being, your creative self, your physical self and possibly your life expectancy. And at best, take the time to examine and become conscious of your everyday musical experiences. Use these to incorporate them into places into your life that really need a boost. Because music will help you enhance many aspects of your life. As German author and poet, Heinrich Heine, of the 19th Century put it, “Music is a strange thing. I would almost say it is a miracle. For it stands halfway between thought and phenomenon, between spirit and matter.”