He considered himself a fiddler, a military man, and I knew him as a wonderful storyteller. His passion for life was contagious, but his greatest passion was for music.
For some reason, I’ve been thinking about my grandfather this weekend. Perhaps it’s because I’m planning on fiddling around, just a little. ‘Tis the season to be overly busy, and also to take a breath – when we can.
As for my fiddling?
I could indulge in virtual shopping, a soupçon of soup-making, flipping through fashions in Vogue and Elle, and who knows – maybe even daring a soak in the tub!
As I seek to unwind, I may opt for an opus or settle on a sonata. Either way, music is a magnificent mind manipulator – energizing or soothing.
Who doesn’t feel more optimistic when happy music fills our spaces?
Who doesn’t recall the fear factor in the soundtrack to Jaws?
Who isn’t inclined to amorous attentions when mood is maneuvered by specific melodies – those that recall romantic encounters?
Mood Music
We’ve all experienced the way music can alter mood, but what’s the science behind it?
According to Discovery News, music triggers our brains to release that feel-good chemical, dopamine. In short, much like enjoyment of food or sex, music creates pleasure – which may explain why music has always been part of human history.
Scientific American cites a study noting that music is emotionally evocative, and consequently, sad melodies reinforce sorrows, while cheery tunes tend to perk us up.
Psychology Today speaks to the neurobiology of music therapy, and its ability to soothe agitated patients. Haven’t we all experienced this – as we fiddle with the dial or the remote and look for just the right tune to suit our mood – or change it?
Music Memories, Music Magic
Surely, I’m not the only one who visualizes images and colors when I listen to specific symphonies. And I’m certain we all flash back to earlier days when we hear a tune from our teenage years.
As for the mystery of musical motivation – if it’s time to clean or organize, then stow the slow stuff and hit me with the Rolling Stones. When I’m feeling amorous I choose something else entirely, and when driving and seeking exactly the right combination of “stay awake” and “feel good,” it’s heavy metal techno I-don’t-know-what – courtesy of my sons.
I wonder about the process of making music – sitting at a keyboard or strumming a guitar and riffing with other musicians. Is it the process of creating that nonetheless fills us with a spirit of satisfaction? Is it akin to the writer writing, or the painter painting?
Instrumental in Engagement or Disengagement?
Whether making music or listening to it, there’s little doubt in its ability to increase our engagement (and pleasure) in certain activities, or to disengage (from the unpleasant) and self-soothe when it comes to others.
In the meantime, I found myself wiling away an hour exploring stringed instruments, charmed by all there is to discover beyond what is so familiar in Western cultures – the violin, the cello, the base, the banjo, the harp, the guitar. A few searches online and I was reading about lyres, balalaikas, sitars, auto-harps, and more.
For example, there is the zither, which you can strum or pluck, still found both in Alpine regions as well as East Asia. Apparently, its use may be found as far back as 433 B. C.. (So says Wikipedia… )
For some other stringed delights, take a peek at these instruments – made from palm fronds!
Whistle a Happy Tune
While I’m still not in the mood for carols as I cruise cosmetics, I succumb to a soft spot for Bach and Vivaldi as soon as there is a nip in the air. And that makes me wonder what sorcery lives inside the tunes we carry in our heads, beyond dopamine and its “happiness power,” and why music impacts mood to such a great extent.
And on that note… I think again of my grandfather, his utter contentment when making music on any number of stringed and brass instruments. I think of my older son on his flute, my younger at the piano, and my own pleasure in listening to all of it.
- Is music an important part of your life? Of your holiday festivities?
- Do you associate certain instruments or tunes with family history?
- Does music energize you, calm you, or encourage a more uplifting mood?
*Zither, courtesy David Dupplaw (Wiki), under Creative Commons License
It’s something we’ve lost here just lately. My father played three instruments (classical piano quite well) and my mother two instruments. Couple of aunts were professional musicians, and now my son travels around the country with his band as drummer (after switching from guitar). Me, I’m just a listener. We always had classical music as background for our family sit down dinner in the evening. Chopin nocturnes evoke memories of my father (he would play them late at night on the old grand) and his Revolution Etude is my signature piece for the evening hike in the woods when Fran and I first met. I enjoy Orchestra 2001 around here (contemporary “classical” music) and have been attending since the group started about 1980. I enjoy hearing some classical music in the making (and some will never make it). And of course, good old rock ‘n roll will still get me up and rocking.
How lovely that the music brings back the memories so clearly, Paul. (And yes to that rock ‘n roll that gets us up and moving!)
Music was just something to listen to before my marriage ended; after that I bought a guitar and learned some chords and music theory (a crash course with my daughter’s piano teacher). My adult brain, with no previous musical training, found it pretty difficult to learn the new skills but with the help of a guitar teacher, regular lessons and practice, confidence and mastered songs build up. Music is definitely part of my life now, it is an incredible feeling to finally play the intro to a oldie like Sister Golden Hair after struggling to learn it.
Wow, batticus. I’m impressed! That’s quite an accomplishment!
I so luv the concept of music as a storytelling opportunity. There’s playing the notes and then there’s feeling to music. I know so many professional musicians who can play the notes, but the music is just not there. Happy holidays Wolfie! :O)
I’m with you, Gandalfe. It’s the best! Happy holidays to you and yours as well.
John Denver and the Muppets Sing Christmas. Johnny Mathis. Burl Ives. Bing Crosby. Snow Miser and Heat Miser. Those are the ones that take me back to the Christmases of my youth.
Oh, you’re making me smile, Andrea! Burl Ives. I haven’t thought of him in sooooo many years. Great reminders!
Music is a huge part of my life, and the life of my (current) nuclear family. We sing, go to operas, have performed in musical theater, and listen to all kinds of music from classical to vintage rock and roll. I love world music and danceable music. Through NIA, I have been exposed to music with intricate rhythms and tribal beats.
I played the flute through high school, but my dream was to play the violin. I even bought a beat up violin when I was in my 20’s but never got around to getting it fixed. When my daughter started Suzuki lessons 11 years ago, it was the perfect time for me to take them too. It has been one of the hardest challenges of my life, and the most humbling of endeavors, but I have plugged away at it. I’ve had a duet partner, and now play in a trio. In February, my daughter and I will play the Bach double at a recital – the fulfillment of yet another dream.
How wonderful, Lunaboogie! And in particular, playing with your daughter.
Music has always been my balm. I love a wide variety of music. Tori Amos. Yo-Yo Ma. Rihanna. U2. Adam Levine. Dave Mathews. Listening to music helps me enjoy the happy times and soothes me when I feel melancholy.