Category: musics

Effects Of Music On Our Health

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The majority of research into the emotional and behavioral effects of popular music has focused on heavy metal, though a few studies have also included rock and grunge music. Overall, the popular belief that listening to certain musical styles causes a variety of behavioral problems is not supported.

The study of the effects of music on the mind and brain has been a subject of interest for many. The interconnection between music and the physical and mental health of human beings has been researched since long. The research has concluded that music does have positive effects on the mind and brain of human beings. Music has the power of healing certain ailments. Indian classical music has been found to have the strongest healing powers. Be it about fighting anxiety, be it about speeding the healing process, music is the answer to all the queries.

Effects of Music on the Mind

There are times when one feels depressed. Feelings of gloom and inadequacy fill ones mind and carrying out even the daily activities becomes difficult. Depression reduces brain activity and hampers the minds ability to plan and execute tasks. Lack of the neurotransmitter, Serotonin, leads to a depressed state of mind. Soothing musical notes help increase the Serotonin levels of the brain, thus alleviating mental depression.

Anxiety is associated with an upcoming event that may have an unknown outcome. It may lead to sleeplessness and other anxiety disorders. Music plays a vital role in calming the nerves and soothing ones mind. Flat musical notes induce sleep, while natural notes provide the mind with alertness.

Music is found to affect the process of learning and thinking. If work is accompanied by quiet and soothing music, it helps the listener think, analyze and work faster in a more efficient manner. Music develops a positive attitude in the listeners and provides them with motivation. Surveys have shown that music brings about remarkable improvements in the academic skills of students, who are made to listen to certain kinds of music while studying or working in the lab. Listening to pleasant music, while doing a difficult task, can make it seem easier.

Music has a positive effect on the interpersonal skills of an individual. Failures that we face in life are often the result of lack of confidence and lack of desire to learn. Students obtaining poor school grades do not necessarily lack intelligence. Their poor academic results are often an outcome of their lack of motivation and their disinterest. Music lessons during school can help the students fight their mental block. Music proves helpful in encouraging young children to venture new fields. It helps them develop the confidence needed to achieve success in life.

It has long been obvious that music affects people profoundly. What is new, though, is that research is being conducted to determine the effects of music on the brain. Through this research much has been learned about the effects of music on brain function.

It has been shown over and over again that one of the strongest effects of music on the brain is in the area of memory. Students of foreign languages were shown to be able to learn hundreds of vocabulary items in one day when listening to appropriate music. What is more, they remembered the words over time at a level of 92% retention. This feat was accomplished with the use of baroque classical music. The tempo was the most successful at a steady rate of 60 beats per minute. At this tempo, people seemed to remember the most. This was one of the interesting effects of music on the brain.

Music has a positive effect on the concentration level of the listeners. It is also found to improve ones memory. Research has found that the silence between two musical notes triggers the brain cells and neurons, which are responsible for the development of sharp memory. Flute music, and instruments like santoor and sarod are recommended for the enhancement of concentration and memory. Strong beats cause the brain waves to resonate in synch with the beat bringing about higher levels of concentration and alertness.

Music plays a vital role in enhancing creativity. Music has a positive impact on the right side of the brain. Music triggers the brain center, which deal with the development of creativity. Certain ragas are known to activate all the chakras of the listeners body, thus benefiting him/her in the performance of other creative tasks.

Music is found to give students the capacity to trust themselves. It provides them with an internal discipline. Rhythm is known to help the students learn math. Music stimulates the brain centers that deal with thinking, analyzing and planning, thus enhancing ones organizational skills.

Music helps secrete endorphins that help in speeding the process of healing. It acts as an effective distraction from pain and suffering. While diverting one’s mind away from pain, it also helps bring about certain chemical processes in the brain that aid healing. After undergoing surgery, patients may be advised to undergo a music therapy. Listening to melodious, comforting music is sure to have a positive effect on the physical and mental well-being of patients.

Music and Brain Disease:

Alzheimer’s patients have also been shown to benefit mentally from listening to music. Listening to music triggered certain memories to be recalled that had been otherwise forgotten. Parkinson’s patients also benefited from the effects of music on the brain. Motor skills seemed to improve when some patients were better able to walk while music was being played.

Negative Effects:

Not all the effects of music on the brain are positive however. Some types of music can cause the brain to lose it’s symmetry between it’s right and left halves, or hemispheres. We’ve all experienced this, when trying to concentrate on a task while loud or otherwise disruptive music is being played. Ask any teacher and they’ll tell you that this can lead to learning disabilities and behavior disruptions in children. It can likewise generate diminished work capabilities in adults.
The types of music that cause these effects on the brain are mostly aggressive forms of music such as heavy rock or rap. The specific type of beat may be at fault. It could also be attributed to the fact that too much repetition leads to feelings of anger and hostility.

To achieve positive effects of music on the brain, music must have certain attributes. It needs to be fairly complex to involve more of the brain in the activity and keep the person interested. New and different music is another factor that keeps the brain active and not bored.

Grunge Music Effects:A study of the effects of different types of music found that after listening to grunge music, subjects reported increases in fatigue, tension, sadness and hostility, as well as decreased mental clarity, vigor, relaxation and compassion. However, grunge was likely not the musical preference of these subjectsa study of grunge fans may have produced different results.

Aggression:Some studies have found that individuals become more hostile, aggressive or angry after listening to heavy metal music, whereas others have found no aggressive response. Some researchers have even found that subjects who were angry to begin with become happier, calmer and more relaxed after listening to heavy metal when it is their preferred musical genre.

Suicide:Although the suicide rate is higher among rock and heavy metal fans (particularly the latter), a study of students with psychiatric disorders who were also heavy metal fans actually showed improved mood after listening to their music of choice. Other studies of depressed students have found similar results, suggesting that students may use this music to help treat their depression rather than becoming depressed as a result of listening to it.

Intelligence:Interestingly, college students whose musical preferences are alternative, rock or heavy metal actually obtain higher IQ test scores on average, particularly on questions where abstraction is required. Some studies have also found high intelligence among adolescent heavy metal listeners.

Risk Taking:Those who prefer rock or heavy metal music are more inclined to be reckless sensation seekers who take risks. This is a personality type rather than a direct effect of the musicsensation seekers have less reactive nervous systems and so it takes more intense stimuli to generate a sensation of happiness or excitement.
Risk takers are more likely to commit crimes because they are not as anxious about the consequences. This is not caused by the music however; the risk taker prefers more energetic music and more dangerous pastimes as a result of innate personality
and physiology.

Drug Use:Studies regarding a link between heavy metal music and drug use have generated mixed results. One study found that teenagers who listened to heavy metal were more inclined to use drugs, though they were not more likely to use them excessively or become addicted. Other researchers have found no link between music preference and drug use or drug-related values. Overall, use of alcohol and/or drugs by parents has the greatest influence on adolescent drug use.

Attitudes toward Women: A study of undergraduate men found that exposure to sexually violent heavy metal music increased the tendency to stereotype sex roles and hold more negative perceptions of women. However, this was likely the result of the sexually violent content rather than the heavy metal music itself.

Which Casio Digital Keyboard is the Best Choice For Beginners

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Black Friday Grab.com found a good article for guideline who would like to purchase the best Casio Keyboard for Beginners. This article wrote by Mr. Alex Buck as a Director of Internet Marketing & Music Schools at Umbrella Music and article source from EzineAticles. Black Friday Grab.com would like to share this tip “Which Casio Digital Keyboard is the Best Choice For Beginners?” for guide our shoppers.

He advised that Casio have been making keyboards for quite a while now and their name is synonymous with electronic keyboards, so you’d expect them to do what they do well, which they do. Casio are particularly good at making entry-level digital keyboards and they have a wide variety to choose from. This article will help you to choose the right one for you.

There are basically two ranges with different models within those ranges – the LK digital keyboard range, and the CTK range of keyboards. To look at the two ranges there isn’t a huge amount of difference to the untrained eye. But once you delve further into the functions and features there is a marked difference.

The main difference between the Casio LK and CTK digital keyboards is that the LK range, have what they call a back light keyboard. The back light keyboard is a tried and trusted feature designed to help absolute beginners to start learning and playing quickly.

He and the school use Casio LK digital keyboards in our own music school and he has seen countless kids and adults find this to be one of the most useful training tools, but especially for younger learners as they can become frustrated and unfocused if they can’t learn quickly. He is not saying you’ll become a piano maestro immediately upon using the tool – it just provides a very practical learning guide.

There are 5 models in the Casio LK range of keyboard: LK-120, LK-220, LK-230, LK-270 & LK-300TV. All of these models have 61 keys which all light up. 61 keys are plenty to be getting on with for absolute beginners. The Casio LK-120 is the entry level and goes up to the LK-300TV at the top end. Each model has slightly more features as you go up the range. For instance the LK-120 has 100 onboard sounds whereas the LK-300TV has 514.

Similarly the LK-120 has less rhythm choices than the LK-300 TV digital keyboard. As you go up the range you’ll find more features such as effects e.g. delay, reverb. The ability to connect outboard gear becomes possible as you go up the range e.g. adding a microphone and playing along to someone singing. One thing that is common throughout the models is the capability to connect to a computer easily either through Midi or USB. They also feature the Casio Step up learning system.

The Casio CTK-range is also suitable for absolute beginners but do not feature the back light keys. They do however all feature the Step-Up learning system as well more recording, sampling and effects features. There are 6 models in the CTK range; CTK-230, CTK-2000, CTK-2100, CTK-3000, CTK-4000 and the CTK-5000. As with the LK range of digital keyboards, the CTK range increases the number of on-board sounds, digital effects as you go up the range. The CTK-230 is the entry level, and it should be pointed out that it only has 49 keys, where as the others all have 61 keys.

Another feature of the CTK range worth mentioning is the appearance of the keys. On a lot of keyboards at this price range, you can find that they keys are a different size to those of an acoustic piano. Casio have made the keys to be the same size and to look the same as an acoustic. All of which helps with playing technique.

So the question is which is the best Casio keyboard for beginners? There is no right or wrong, but as a guideline, I would chose the LK-230 absolute beginners who are younger i.e. 4-7 years old. For older players I would choose the CTK range.

Piano Teaching Tips for Highly Motivated Music Teachers

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Are you a music teacher who intends to improve himself and gain professional growth? Well, read on as this blog aims to cite and identify some relevant and effective piano teaching tips applicable to all music teachers out there.

Music education as well as learning various musical instruments has become more and more interesting, competitive and in-demand. Aside from arts, science and technology, music generally has turned out to be both the passion and the profession of most music teachers, musicians and music educators. With this, music teachers around the globe are motivated and inspired to learn new tricks, strategies and techniques more than to what they are used to. Here are some of the useful piano teaching tips that can make you both effective and efficient:

Time and stress management. Music teaching as well as teaching any other subjects requires time, effort and other resources. When you leave your classroom or private music studio, your work doesnt stop. Sometimes you bring your work along with you at home accomplishing unfinished businesses, unchecked and unrecorded activities, worksheets and quizzes. With these tedious tasks, you need to learn how to manage your time and organize your workloads. Proper time management draws you closer to a more successful and happy teacher life; thus, eliminating risks and chances of getting stressed out.

Continuous learning. Music teachers enhance their skills and achieve professional growth through various workshops, seminars and conferences. These series of training sessions help them in building enough self-confidence and self-esteem in teaching individuals from different ages with different lifestyles. With the kind of professional development they have, they have become fully-equipped with the right skills, knowledge and expertise. Also, they tend to update themselves with the latest piano teaching tips as well as the newest and most effective music teaching strategies.

Professionalism. This term has a wide array of meanings and significance. From one level to another, this needs continuous learning, dedication and passion. This also refers to good and reliable customer service, work ethics, and business integrity that are often grouped together and mixed up in other peoples minds as one big concept. Others see this as ones personal commitment to anything that he does, thinks, says and feels.

It is true that music teaching is one big responsibility and noble profession; thus, it requires much time, effort and resources. To be tagged as a professional, music teachers must learn how to handle different kinds of learners, situations and circumstances with all composure, character and fairness.

Consequently, music and piano teachers must willingly improve themselves for more effective comprehensive, innovative and interactive teaching strategies and techniques making their students appreciate and love both learning music and music as a whole. As music educators, remember that you can inspire your students in many ways and touch their lives as well more than just motivating and encouraging them to learn.

The above piano teaching tips allow many music teachers around the globe consider themselves professionals and have become worthy of respect, trust and appreciation at all times. So make yourselves equipped with the right weapons to make your students and parents realize that teaching is both your profession and passion teaching music by heart.

The Benefit Of Music Education In A Child’s Development

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Author: Accelerando
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In 1994 a study was conducted by psychologist Fran Rauscher and physicist Gordon Shaw at the University of California to test the connection between music and math and science skills. The three test groups were comprised of three year olds. The first group participated in adult-led singing time, the second group, in weekly keyboard lessons, and the third (control group) was not exposed to any type of musical activity. The results were astounding! After eight months, “every child who participated in a music-training program increased his or her spatial intelligence by an average of 46 percent over the control group’s 6 percent increase.” (Baney, Cynthia. Wired for Sound: The Essential Connection Between Music and Development.)
Music education should be an essential part of a child’s growth and development. Numerous studies have repeatedly demonstrated how music education will lead to a higher aptitude in math, science, reading, athletics, creativity and problem solving. But the simple fact is that making music brings children joy, and when you as a parent get involved with your child’s musical pursuits, whether it be through direct interaction in a musical playgroup, or by encouraging your child to learn an instrument, you can share in that joy together.
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The Benefit Of Music Education In A Child’S Development

Origins Of Music Boxes

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Origins of Music boxes

The year of 1796 is marked as origin of music boxes in history, as Antoine Favre from Geneva incorporated his first musical gadget. He was a watchmaker and developed many mechanical machines for nearly two centuries. For his contributions in mechanical devices, he is known as the Father of mechanical dreams. Antoine used watches, pendants, and perfume bottles to make the musical gadget. This gadget was known as a music comb. It was made from tampered and hardened steel. The comb had springy teeth of different lengths. Each of the springy teeth is plucked to produce a musical note. The length of the particular tooth is determines which musical note is produced. The comb can produce a different note from each tooth.
History reveals that the musical clocks and musical boxes were constructed for the entertainment and amusement of the wealthy and also for royalty during the 16th century. At that time, music was played by striking a pin on a revolving cylinder or disc.
Snuff boxes were originally produced by artisan watchmakers. Switzerland was the center for the bulk production of musical boxes during the 19th century. Samuel Junod and Jeremie Recordon were two entrepreneurs that started the first music box factory in Switzerland. There were also a few factories in Germany and Bohemia at that time. Some manufacturers in Europe also opened factories in United States by the end of the 19th century.
The first music boxes were of varying sizes that ranged from a tiny container which could fit in a pocket, to the size of a hat box, to the size of large pieces of furniture. Most were used as tabletop art pieces. The operative part of these instruments was cylinder that was fabricated from metal and powered by a spring. These cylindrical music boxes were used to provide live music only. They produced a melody of a bell choir or of harpists. However, there was a limitation since they had their own in built-in musical notes.
Manufacturers of cylindrical music boxes tried to remove this limitation by incorporating a method to shift the cylinder to change the melody in a box. The box incorporated several sets of pins, each representing one song. As one set of pins rang the musical notes of the comb, other sets of pins passed silently. When that particular song ends, the cylinder would pass by and other sets of pins would line up with the comb teeth, so, that one musical box could play different tunes. It is reported that some of them could play as many as 12 different tunes in that era of piano music.
In 1862, further improvements were made which permitted the cylinder to be removed to change the melody of a particular box. There were interchangeable cylinders and each cylinder had different tune. Any cylinder could be removed and replaced by a cylinder to provide a different tune.
Cylindrical music boxes were rapidly replaced by the Polyphone and other instruments made with interchangeable metal disks. By the end of the 19th century, instruments with metal disks were mass produced and people switched over to these from music boxes with cylinders. With the invention of disc players, the middle class was able to enjoy the enchanting melodies and popular music of that time in their own homes. Music boxes were great success not only in Europe, but also in America.
Symphonion, in Leipzig, Germany manufactured the first mass produced disc music boxs. The company made music boxes affordable and inexpensive, and it was easy to add more musical selections. Symphonion used a technique that punched holes onto a steel disk that plucked the comb teeth. Some of these were able to play 24 or 27-inch diameter disks. Another could play various song discs. More music was added so that bells would play with the music. The bells could be turned on or off with a switch. These improvements were added in a box named Musical Bell Symphonium.
Many manufacturers of disc music boxes also built masterpieces with mechanisms that were incorporated into hall clocks. Some even had dancing dolls built-in. The boxes were also used in birdcages, jewelry boxes, snowballs and many other art pieces.
In 1877, the phonograph was invented by Thomas Alva Edison. This instrument had major impact on the music industry of the time.
It wasnt long before there were new instruments introduced to the market like Polyphone, Kalliope, Sireon, Fortuna, Empress and Alder to name a few. All of these were produced in Switzerland and Germany. Polyphone took over the music market in America in 1892. Gustave Bachhausen from Germany, who was co-manufacturer of Polyphone disk boxes, established Regina Musical Box Company in New Jersey in 1892. Regina boxes were a huge success and achieved a milestone of 100,000 boxes sold before it disappeared from the market in 1921.
Disk music boxes were highly popular in the 20th century. These instruments were able to produce and arrange new music. Owners of these music boxes could purchase new discs to play in their machines.
In the 19th century, the player piano, phonograph, orchestrion and nickelodeon were invented and quickly became the primary instruments for home entertainment in and the contemporary coin-operated music industry. Coin-operated music boxes were placed in places like parks and train stations in Switzerland. These boxes were able to produce different musical tunes.
The Gramophone eventually replaced music boxes entirely. These record players were easy to use and affordable and permitted a choice of songs. They also offered the option of vocal or orchestral play back.
The Phonograph was invented during the First World War. The Great Depression of1929 crashed the music box industry and removed it from prominence in the market. Most of the manufacturers switched their focus and started producing products such as typewriters, watches and movie cameras that were in much-higher demand.
Today, Reuge of St.Croix, Switzerland is one of the few manufacturers that still produces music boxes of all shapes and sizes. Sanyo of Japan is the leading music box manufacturer with its own designs that compete successfully with the quality and sound of Swiss products.