Music and Its Impact on Human
What is music? Music is an art form and a cultural activity whose medium is sound organized in time. Generally, a definition of music will include common elements such as pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture. When you listen to music (positive or neutral types), it affects many neurological pathways. It also has a lot of positive impact on today’s youth. Therefore, music benefits the human being in several ways.
Firstly, music can make us relax. This is because research shows that when we listen to the music we like, our brain releases dopamine, a ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter. For example, when someone listens to calm music such as ‘You Are The Reason’ by Calum Scott, it helps them to forget their sadness and makes them happier than before.
Secondly, music can improve the damaging effects of brain damage. The beats in music help serves as a footstep cure for the brain. Similarly, rhythm and pitch can help patients sing the words they cannot say or express with words. For instance, when given a rhythm to walk or dance to, people with neurological damage caused by stroke or Parkinson’s disease can ‘regain a symmetrical stride and a sense of balance’. A study of autistic children who could not speak found that music therapy helped these children articulate words. Some of these kids said their first words as a result of the treatment.
Lastly, music can improve our sport performance. Music makes people follow the rhythm of the music and this helps to increase the performance of the person. For instance, one of the greatest distance runners in history, Haile Gebrselassie, synched his stride to the song ‘Scatman’ when breaking the 10,000 meter world record.
In closing, music affects us in various ways and helps to improve the quality of our life. The brain can also be healed by listening to music, so can our mental and physical health.
Written by Ahmad Firdaus Johari, Year 8 student of Abedeen International School