Music, "the art of the Muses", as is the Greek derivation of the word, is so important to humanity, to life, to the Universe. I confidently believe it always has been and always will be. For me, it's been a method (the best method I've come across I might add) to express my true self, to channel my emotions (both positive and negative), and guide my intensity in a productive way. I love music, in so many ways that it's hard to put all thoughts down in writing. Whether it be jazz, classical, rock, hiphop, afro-cuban, brazilian, Indian, electronic, etc., if there is something unique about it, if there is something that moves my soul, and I feel alive from the musical experience. I feel music has evolved me as a life form. Music has taught me how to be more compassionate, sensitive, aware, and so much more. Music has healed me, mentally, spiritually, and because I primarily play such a physically demanding instrument (drumset), music has kept me in shape physically as well. Whenever I have a bad day or feeling down, if I sit down and play drums for a while, I am transformed into a chilled out, happy person. Whenever I get an interesting electronic sound happening, let alone an entire piece, I get so excited and get overjoyed at the sonic sculpture-making taking place. And processing these sounds, both acoustic and electronic, in interesting ways, I am enthralled in the ear candy that results. I can honestly say music has saved my life, multiple times, in multiple ways. I love how music makes us dance, makes us sing, brings people together - and I think we, as a species, are only beginning to graze the surface of the energy and power music encapsulates.
This directed study project is an exploration of bringing all of these concepts to a new level. We all know music has the power to heal/improve conditions mentally and spiritually. I feel like I have personally experienced this to the highest degree possible. Above, I also touched on the sense of the physical aspect as well in terms of 'staying in shape' by performing music, which typically exerts a good deal of physical energy, but I truly think music can heal/improve us on a much more fundamental physiological level. There has been tests/experiments done regarding certain frequencies or tones killing cancer cells, with some success, but music, or sound, therapy has yet to be a "go-to" cure for cancer. However, science has proven that music releases dopamine, the "happiness" neurotransmitter. In addition, music has been proven to be able to reduce blood pressure, accelerate post-stroke recovery, relieve anxiety and depression, and boost the immune system, among a slew of other physiological benefits. This project is not a clinical trial/experiment of how different frequencies/tones have physiological benefits, it is my creative/artistic development of gained knowledge along with intuition to produce a new, innovative means of music composition and performance. It is my hope that a biologist or music therapist, will do a clinical trial/experiment with my system, showing that it does, in fact, accelerate cellular development, improve genetic functions, and the like - in this way, I hope to give back to Music what she has given me, saving and improving life.
No comments:
Post a Comment