Hunger of Music, Melody, and Symphony

Does every sound in your life feel like a rhythm or melody? Does symphony amplify the energy in your brain?

Music profoundly influences our day-to-day lives. Even in moments when we believe we don’t desire music or rhythmic engagement, does our brain genuinely allow such behavior? Even our heartbeat creates a rhythm, so how can anyone deny the presence of music and melody in life?

Music has always been a great source of recreation and relaxation. But have you ever wondered how music is created in real life? What is the basic meaning of music, and what does history say about it?

Music History

What controls our taste in music? The first answer is often ‘culture.’ Across history, the cultural values of a nation have substantially shaped its music, rhythm, and symphony, illustrating the intricate connection between art and identity.

For instance, research has revealed that the Hurrian songs from Ugarit, Syria, are among the earliest pieces of written music still in existence. Additionally, a 4,000-year-old Sumerian clay tablet features musical notations for a hymn commemorating King Lipit-Ishtar, marking the earliest known example of musical notation.

The term ‘world music’ was introduced in 1906 to describe the influence of foreign music on classical genres. It gained traction in 1987 when record companies in England began using it to promote music from Africa and Latin America, and it has been widely adopted in Canada since 1988.

One theory suggests that music evolved as a complex method of sexual selection, possibly originating from mating cries. This idea is often linked to Charles Darwin’s work, The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex. Musicologist Curt Sachs proposed that music developed from two sources: ‘speaking’ and ‘emotional expression,’ which may have emerged separately, as evidenced by the diverse forms of music worldwide.

In many civilizations, music has mythical origins. In the last two hundred years, music has served as a vital element in the mythology of each culture. For example, in Greek mythology, Orpheus is renowned as a gifted musician, and the story of King Midas involves a contest between the music of Pan and Apollo. In Irish mythology, the god Aengus is often linked with music and poetry, accompanied by chanting birds.

Artists and musicians have long found inspiration in mythology. A variety of important works from the Early Romantic and Impressionist periods include mythical themes, which serve as a collective cultural foundation that enriches the artistic experience.

In Chinese history, during the late Shang dynasty (around 1250 BCE), the development of writing included references to music, indicating that musical instruments and notation were part of early Chinese culture.

Musical Instruments

Bengali musical instruments have historically been divided into four categories: string, wind, metal, and hide instruments. These classifications are based on the materials used and the methods of playing. Some popular Bengali string instruments include the sitar, sarod, esraj, and tanpura. Wind instruments, such as the flute and shehnai, are played by blowing air into them. Metal instruments like the mandira and kartal produce sound when struck.

In modern rock music, several instruments are essential, including the bass guitar, drum kit, electric guitar, and piano.

Music and the Mind

At the Society for Neuroscience conference, psychologist Annett Schirmer shared research indicating that the effects of music on the brain are more intricate than previously understood. Not only does rhythmic music control the activities of individuals in a group, but it also aligns their thinking. Listening to rhythmic music cultivates synchronized cognitive functions in those who hear it.

Schirmer’s research indicates that rhythm and music influence brain circuits responsible for sensation, motion, and even perception. This explains why drums are used in rituals, armies march to the sound of bugles and drums, and songs are integral to religious ceremonies. Rhythm, it turns out, has the power to unite and synchronize our minds.

In an experiment, Schirmer and her colleague Nicolas Escoffier tested participants by showing them a series of images while playing a simple four-beat drum pattern in the background. The results revealed that rhythm affects how we perceive the world, influencing our brainwaves and sensory perception.

Renowned psychologist Steven Pinker once referred to music as ‘auditory cheesecake,’ implying it serves no special purpose. However, the findings of Schirmer contradict this view, suggesting that rhythm supports our emotional bonds, communication, and neural coordination.

Music and Memory

Music has a powerful ability to evoke memories. Jazz musicians and rappers participating in a study at Johns Hopkins University were asked to create music while inside an fMRI machine. The results showed which parts of their brains were activated during musical creation, demonstrating that music engages complex cognitive functions such as architecture and mathematics.

Additionally, research shows that people tend to stick with the music they loved during their adolescence and early twenties. As we age, we may find it harder to process new music, which is why listening to old favorites does not tax our brains as much as newer songs do. Music also helps us recall long-forgotten memories. For example, someone might remember the first time they met their spouse while listening to The Beatles.

Music and Study

Music is not only a form of relaxation but also a valuable tool for reducing stress, especially for students in the middle of a hectic semester. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that patients with heart conditions may find relief from anxiety and lower blood pressure through listening to calming music.

Students can boost their focus, lower anxiety, and establish a more effective study environment by incorporating soothing music into their study routine.

Music is more than just sound—it is deeply intertwined with our emotions, memories, and even how we perceive the world. Music is essential to the human experience, impacting our minds and societies through its roles in relaxation, studying, and cultural expression.