Let’s take a look at the real meaning of music and what it really is.

The word music originates from the Greek term Mousikē,which also includes drama, dance and poetry. Singing has been scientifically proven to soothe and raise your mood. However, singing in a group is even more beneficial because it releases hormones like oxytocin that make you feel good and also reduces stress hormones like cortisol.

Dopamine being the key, studies show that if you listen to music you enjoy, while getting your heart rate up, you can achieve more with less effort. The pain sensitivity can decrease in the aftermath of exercising with music, so when you’re done, you may not feel as exhausted as you would have otherwise. Listening to music before you do something can put you in the right frame of mind for the task at hand.

Listening to 5 to 10 songs daily helps improve memory and strength and boosts the immune system by 80%. Song lyrics are believed to have a stronger impact on human minds when an individual is sad. Though it can affect your mood, turns out it can also have a significant effect on your perception of the world. That is why the type of music you listen to plays a vital role in how you feel, what kind of thoughts you invite and your response to the situations around you!

Here are some fun facts about Music: 

٭       The world’s largest music festival is Summerfest.

٭       The world’s most prominent guitar is 43.5 feet tall.

٭       Beethoven composed music even after he became completely deaf.

٭       Mozart composed his first symphony at the age of eight.

٭       The Beatles couldn’t read music.

٭       Seventy pieces of wood make up a violin.

٭       “Jingle Bells” was actually written as a Thanksgiving Song.

٭       Happy Birthday to You is considered the most recognized song.

٭       There are more people in Monaco’s orchestra than in its army.

٭       The highest number of people playing a single Piano together at the same time is 23.

Musicians and Singers steal hearts quite easily. What a fascinating theft! One good song or just good lyrics has everyone going “Wow”. Others end up in tears relishing every emotional moment in a heartfelt melody! Still, others close their ears to awful singers like Gian from Doraemon. Nevertheless, some cross the seven seas in love with music. One of the greatest musicians and composers of the Renaissance era Orlande de Lassus was kidnapped three times during his childhood. The reason behind all three kidnappings was his beautiful singing voice.

The human brain processes music faster than language. No wonder teachers ask students to memorize notes using little melodies or mnemonics. Those who listen to audio recordings recall and perform better in their exams. How do we still remember all the nursery rhymes and the ABC even without revision! Wasn’t it all a little song?

Music is twice praying mainly because when we recite prayers, the mind tends to digress even after having an image of God in front of us. We try really hard to focus, to feel something and try to give our best in prayer despite the wandering mind. But does it happen when you sing? Well, it does but not as much as singing hymns! While your mind is busy letting the lyrics sink into your heart, your body syncs in deep adoration and thus the spirit is easily one with the Almighty. You are more connected than you could ever imagine. Next time you pray, or are distracted start with a little song to your Beloved.

You must have heard the saying “Sing songs when you see a ghost” especially in movies. As hilarious as it may sound, Music does have the potential to distract your mind and calm strong emotions of fear and anxiety. Anyone, literally anyone can sing! It’s a free gift like birds have a unique voice and they sing cheerfully to adorn the beauty of nature around them. Not all can be great singers or musicians. But all can simply play their heart out, sing their little song and uplift someone. And if they say they can’t, it certainly is a tall tale of the century.

Music holds the power to bring back lost hope, bridge cultural differences, heal emotional wounds and bring any area of your life to Life! Music can inspire each person to cherish the present moment, ergo creating new beautiful memories. This World Music Day, let the spirit of a beautiful song ignite within you, let your voice be heard and let your soul sing a beautiful melody. Now, must you seek Music?

By Azelia Carvalho   

Azelia is an Author, Poet, Data Analyst.