Last Thursday (12 December) the BBC broadcast a radio programme on The Mozart Effect, the profound psychological and even physiological effect that his music is said to have on people. It occurs to me that a similar case can be made for Irish Traditional Music (aka ITM) and it would be interesting to have input from you knowledgeable people on this website. I suspect that ITM, like Mozart's music, taps into something deep within our brains that isn't otherwise easily accessible.
You can read about the programme on this page on the BBC's website, http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/mozarteffect.shtml
and you should be able to listen to the broadcast programme itself (30mins) from that page by clicking on the appropriate icon.
I suggest you look at the Mozart Effect page sooner rather than later because I don't know how long the BBC keeps programmes easily accessible online, possibly no longer than a week from the initial broadcast.
Listened for a bit but my household became too noisy to continue all the way through. Just curious though, do they deal with only Mozart or with music in general. I could certainly see Bach in a similar fashion. I've spent a lot of time trying to convince schools to keep music programs based on similar deductions but it seems the Mozart study is the only one that seems to be getting official recognition. I also suspect that you're right about Irish Traditional Music. I've tended to look at it more globally, that music in general taps into something deeper, there are just forms that the effect is more evident. To get into an even deeper psychology, I often find that I think differently when working my way through a piece by Bach than I do with a piece by Mozart, than I do with a new jig or reel. I find there's even a difference between jig and reels in truth. It's like there is a part of the brain that is put to work to access the particular music that you are trying to play. I used to play unaccompanied for recitals (mostly because I couldn't afford an accompanist) so played a lot of new music, which again, I believe taps into a different part of your brain. Believe it or not, my visual image is of setting up a tea setting. For Mozart you put the cup a little to the right, for Bach it's dead centre, for new music it's up to the left and quite far away. For Irish Traditional music, it's right in front of me and often replaced with a glass of beer. ;). There's my brain for ya!
I haven't listened to the program yet, but in the book The Mozart Effect by Don Campbell, he writes that other musics also have a healing effect on people, but Mozart seems to be the most effective of classical composers. He reckons whatever music people identify with best, will do it for them. Makes sense to me.
The CD's certainly work - I used to listen to the one to soothe you down when I was too wound up to get to sleep. It worked. Recently, I notice that fiddle music, both Irish and Cape Breton, can do the same.
Thanks Trevor! I recorded the broadcast and burned it on CD.
Let me add this: When my youngest son was about one year old he started to cry always when he heard a slow piece of Mozart. Like the Adagio from the Clarinet concerto on CD or when my wife played a slow movement on the piano. Mind you, he couldn't even speak.
This remained for about two or three years. No other music (Haydn, Beethoven) had the same effect on him, but with Mozart the tears came and were hard to stop.
I think it's the compassion in his music that no other composer had at the same level.
I listened too. They did mention Bach (actually "the two Bachs") but of course there were hundreds of them!
Interesting what Anny says about visualising the music - there's a long history of that.
My take on the radio programme was that they thought it was something to do with the way Mozart treats major / minor harmonies. I see (sort of) what they mean, but I've not ever personally equated Major=happy, Minor=sad as I think they were implying in the programme - it's a lot more complex than that, surely...
I was enrolled in the MHTP (Music for Healing and Transition Program) for a while, but I did not finish the whole course. I was bringing my small harp into hospitals and playing for cancer patients and also in the waiting room. I played some slow airs, but mostly the usual jigs, reel, and hornpipes slowed down. Some people responded happily, tapping their feet and asking for more and more "snappy tunes". Others couldn't care less and talked on the phone and argued with family members, etc. while I played. The lowest point was when one poor soul exclaimed, "No honey, I don't need that, I'm not dead yet!!" (guess the harp put angels into his head.)
So basically some of this stuff is obviously subjective--if you like (Irish, classical, whatever) music, then you will respond and have some healing, stimulating, etc. benefit. If you don't, then it won't.
I think *playing* music is extremely healing for me.
This is slightly off the track but recently someone told me to put small speakers on my abdomen as the vibrations and music have a healing effect on the body. This may sound crazy but apparently the music cause the body to release 'feel-good' chemicals. I gave it a go and I actually felt better afterwards.
Fraser, There is an area related to music therapy called vibrotactile therapy. I just told you all I know about it. It exists. There are some pages on the web though. Here's a page containing an abstract of a paper. Scroll down and look for Standley, Jayne.
I learned a bit more about the vibrotactile thing. The main area of research seems to be called vibroacoustic therapy. It consists of vibrating the body in various ways using either pure tones or music. You can buy devices to do this if you want. A web search will turn up quite a bit of stuff.
Here's a report from the trenches: I'm an obstetrics nurse, also work a lot in the newborn nursery. Had a sick baby a few months ago (not me personally, a patient), had to be observed in the nursery for 48 hours rather than room-in with mom, cardiac monitors, etc. Dad was a cello player, had played for his unborn child throughout the pregnancy. (yes a Navajo cellist, isn't that great?) Anyway, whenever I let Dad into the nursery with his cello to play, upon hearing the bow on string, the baby would instantly stop crying, heartbeat slowed down, etc.... sheer goosebumps. Really really cool. I mean, really cool.
Newborns tend not to like ITM, I think it riles them up too much or something. Mozart, yes, Vivaldi yes, not so much Beethoven sadly.... this is only based on loose anecdotal data with my CDs in the nursery. Lately, softer Christmas carols have been working nicely.
Some stuff I read on the web reported that babies were quieted by music that the mother had listened to during pregnancy. Probably most mothers don't listen to Irish traditional music. Research is clearly indicated. Get a grant.
Aparently nothing could settle me down more to sleep than a full on session in the kitchen with uillean pipes and all, I guess thats what I heard the full 9 months leading up to my birth ;)
Steve - thanks for the web site I am printing it out as we speak so i can have a better read.
There's no doubt in my mind that music effects the brain and has healing qualities for the body and soul. I will try and find out more about what i was talking about, vibrotactile sounds familar.
Yes, I should have clarified my experience is with Navajo, Hispanic, African American & other high risk newborns, whose mother's music of choice during pregnancy remains unknown. It obviously makes sense music listened to during pregnancy would calm a newborn, albeit ITM, Beethoven or rap. Thanks for the cheerful tip on the grant proposal Steve, but looks like you've already got a head start on the research, I'll leave it in your capable hands.
I was thinking of passing the ball back to you Emily. I'm retired. But then it occured to me that Ireland would be the place to do some research since there are probably more expectant mothers there who listen to traditional music than most other places. Then maybe some time in the southern mountains finding expectant mothers who listen to old time music. Some other places should be included too. Greece, maybe. South of France. Grant proposal, here I come.
Hmmm let me reconsider. I've always wanted to learn to speak Greek. Well if you need someone in the trenches, I have extensive research experience with NIH & Johns Hopkins. You get us funded, I'll collect impeccably clean data for you, my French is passable, ha! We could also choose the unethical subversive route & use our methodology as a reason to have ITM piped into all prenatal clinic appointment & exam rooms, then determine if those babies are calmed later in life? heh, yeah that could be supremely unethical, yet could produce a whole new generation of musicians. hmmmm..... in the meantime I'll keep playing Altan in my nursery, even if they only like the waltzes & airs.
Ok, I found out a bit more about what i was talking about earlier (sorry, still don't have a name for it). Music has a sound vibration that we can resonate with or have our energy patterns patterns disturbed by....that's why music can change our moods. Playing music through small speakers or headphones into the "small intestine alarm point" (an accupuncture related area below the navel) seems to have the effect of balancing the body, increasing a sense of wellbeing and reducing stress levels. The theory is that peptides get released into the intestines.
pretty neat huh?!
Where would we be without music????
Now I'm really curious to ask my Mom what she listened to while she was pregnant with me. It certainly wasn't Irish trad. Propably the Supremes, Barbara Streisand, and whatever else was popular just before the Beatles exploded onto the scene. I could definitely be calmed and lulled to sleep by Barbara.
The idea that mental and/or bodily processes can follow music is called entrainment. Maybe that's the word you're looking for fraser. It doesn't have to be music, either. The claim is made that such things as repeating mantras will entrain various processes. If you do a search for it on the web you'll find lots of stuff. As usual, almost miraculous claims are made for the benefits of entrainment. The basic process isn't in doubt though.
The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
Last Thursday (12 December) the BBC broadcast a radio programme on The Mozart Effect, the profound psychological and even physiological effect that his music is said to have on people. It occurs to me that a similar case can be made for Irish Traditional Music (aka ITM) and it would be interesting to have input from you knowledgeable people on this website. I suspect that ITM, like Mozart's music, taps into something deep within our brains that isn't otherwise easily accessible.
You can read about the programme on this page on the BBC's website,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/mozarteffect.shtml
and you should be able to listen to the broadcast programme itself (30mins) from that page by clicking on the appropriate icon.
I suggest you look at the Mozart Effect page sooner rather than later because I don't know how long the BBC keeps programmes easily accessible online, possibly no longer than a week from the initial broadcast.
trevor
# Posted on December 13th 2002 by lazyhound
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
Trevor,
Listened for a bit but my household became too noisy to continue all the way through. Just curious though, do they deal with only Mozart or with music in general. I could certainly see Bach in a similar fashion. I've spent a lot of time trying to convince schools to keep music programs based on similar deductions but it seems the Mozart study is the only one that seems to be getting official recognition. I also suspect that you're right about Irish Traditional Music. I've tended to look at it more globally, that music in general taps into something deeper, there are just forms that the effect is more evident. To get into an even deeper psychology, I often find that I think differently when working my way through a piece by Bach than I do with a piece by Mozart, than I do with a new jig or reel. I find there's even a difference between jig and reels in truth. It's like there is a part of the brain that is put to work to access the particular music that you are trying to play. I used to play unaccompanied for recitals (mostly because I couldn't afford an accompanist) so played a lot of new music, which again, I believe taps into a different part of your brain. Believe it or not, my visual image is of setting up a tea setting. For Mozart you put the cup a little to the right, for Bach it's dead centre, for new music it's up to the left and quite far away. For Irish Traditional music, it's right in front of me and often replaced with a glass of beer. ;). There's my brain for ya!
# Posted on December 14th 2002 by ANNY
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
I haven't listened to the program yet, but in the book The Mozart Effect by Don Campbell, he writes that other musics also have a healing effect on people, but Mozart seems to be the most effective of classical composers. He reckons whatever music people identify with best, will do it for them. Makes sense to me.
The CD's certainly work - I used to listen to the one to soothe you down when I was too wound up to get to sleep. It worked. Recently, I notice that fiddle music, both Irish and Cape Breton, can do the same.
# Posted on December 14th 2002 by fiddlefingers
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
Thanks Trevor! I recorded the broadcast and burned it on CD.
Let me add this: When my youngest son was about one year old he started to cry always when he heard a slow piece of Mozart. Like the Adagio from the Clarinet concerto on CD or when my wife played a slow movement on the piano. Mind you, he couldn't even speak.
This remained for about two or three years. No other music (Haydn, Beethoven) had the same effect on him, but with Mozart the tears came and were hard to stop.
I think it's the compassion in his music that no other composer had at the same level.
Bart
# Posted on December 15th 2002 by Bart
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
I listened too. They did mention Bach (actually "the two Bachs") but of course there were hundreds of them!
Interesting what Anny says about visualising the music - there's a long history of that.
My take on the radio programme was that they thought it was something to do with the way Mozart treats major / minor harmonies. I see (sort of) what they mean, but I've not ever personally equated Major=happy, Minor=sad as I think they were implying in the programme - it's a lot more complex than that, surely...
# Posted on December 15th 2002 by Mark Harmer
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
I was enrolled in the MHTP (Music for Healing and Transition Program) for a while, but I did not finish the whole course. I was bringing my small harp into hospitals and playing for cancer patients and also in the waiting room. I played some slow airs, but mostly the usual jigs, reel, and hornpipes slowed down. Some people responded happily, tapping their feet and asking for more and more "snappy tunes". Others couldn't care less and talked on the phone and argued with family members, etc. while I played. The lowest point was when one poor soul exclaimed, "No honey, I don't need that, I'm not dead yet!!" (guess the harp put angels into his head.)
So basically some of this stuff is obviously subjective--if you like (Irish, classical, whatever) music, then you will respond and have some healing, stimulating, etc. benefit. If you don't, then it won't.
I think *playing* music is extremely healing for me.
# Posted on December 15th 2002 by Andee
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
This is slightly off the track but recently someone told me to put small speakers on my abdomen as the vibrations and music have a healing effect on the body. This may sound crazy but apparently the music cause the body to release 'feel-good' chemicals. I gave it a go and I actually felt better afterwards.
# Posted on December 17th 2002 by fiddlefeet
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
Fraser, There is an area related to music therapy called vibrotactile therapy. I just told you all I know about it. It exists. There are some pages on the web though. Here's a page containing an abstract of a paper. Scroll down and look for Standley, Jayne.
http://www.uwec.edu/rasarla/research/Behavior_and_Learning/jmt2.htm
Steve
# Posted on December 18th 2002 by SteveKendall
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
It is also well-known that an unborn child in the womb is aware of external sounds, and it is believed it can react to various kinds of music.
trevor
# Posted on December 18th 2002 by lazyhound
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
I learned a bit more about the vibrotactile thing. The main area of research seems to be called vibroacoustic therapy. It consists of vibrating the body in various ways using either pure tones or music. You can buy devices to do this if you want. A web search will turn up quite a bit of stuff.
Steve
# Posted on December 18th 2002 by SteveKendall
A web search on music and unborn babies turns up a lot of stuff too. Here's a page with some links.
http://www.arches.uga.edu/~nishi/process.html
Steve
# Posted on December 18th 2002 by SteveKendall
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
Here's a report from the trenches: I'm an obstetrics nurse, also work a lot in the newborn nursery. Had a sick baby a few months ago (not me personally, a patient), had to be observed in the nursery for 48 hours rather than room-in with mom, cardiac monitors, etc. Dad was a cello player, had played for his unborn child throughout the pregnancy. (yes a Navajo cellist, isn't that great?) Anyway, whenever I let Dad into the nursery with his cello to play, upon hearing the bow on string, the baby would instantly stop crying, heartbeat slowed down, etc.... sheer goosebumps. Really really cool. I mean, really cool.
# Posted on December 18th 2002 by emily_bmore
Addendum
Newborns tend not to like ITM, I think it riles them up too much or something. Mozart, yes, Vivaldi yes, not so much Beethoven sadly.... this is only based on loose anecdotal data with my CDs in the nursery. Lately, softer Christmas carols have been working nicely.
# Posted on December 18th 2002 by emily_bmore
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
Some stuff I read on the web reported that babies were quieted by music that the mother had listened to during pregnancy. Probably most mothers don't listen to Irish traditional music. Research is clearly indicated. Get a grant.
Steve
# Posted on December 19th 2002 by SteveKendall
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
Aparently nothing could settle me down more to sleep than a full on session in the kitchen with uillean pipes and all, I guess thats what I heard the full 9 months leading up to my birth ;)
# Posted on December 19th 2002 by bb
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
Steve - thanks for the web site I am printing it out as we speak so i can have a better read.
There's no doubt in my mind that music effects the brain and has healing qualities for the body and soul. I will try and find out more about what i was talking about, vibrotactile sounds familar.
# Posted on December 19th 2002 by fiddlefeet
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
Yes, I should have clarified my experience is with Navajo, Hispanic, African American & other high risk newborns, whose mother's music of choice during pregnancy remains unknown. It obviously makes sense music listened to during pregnancy would calm a newborn, albeit ITM, Beethoven or rap. Thanks for the cheerful tip on the grant proposal Steve, but looks like you've already got a head start on the research, I'll leave it in your capable hands.
# Posted on December 19th 2002 by emily_bmore
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
I was thinking of passing the ball back to you Emily. I'm retired. But then it occured to me that Ireland would be the place to do some research since there are probably more expectant mothers there who listen to traditional music than most other places. Then maybe some time in the southern mountains finding expectant mothers who listen to old time music. Some other places should be included too. Greece, maybe. South of France. Grant proposal, here I come.
Steve
# Posted on December 19th 2002 by SteveKendall
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
Hmmm let me reconsider. I've always wanted to learn to speak Greek. Well if you need someone in the trenches, I have extensive research experience with NIH & Johns Hopkins. You get us funded, I'll collect impeccably clean data for you, my French is passable, ha! We could also choose the unethical subversive route & use our methodology as a reason to have ITM piped into all prenatal clinic appointment & exam rooms, then determine if those babies are calmed later in life? heh, yeah that could be supremely unethical, yet could produce a whole new generation of musicians. hmmmm..... in the meantime I'll keep playing Altan in my nursery, even if they only like the waltzes & airs.
# Posted on December 20th 2002 by emily_bmore
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
Ok, I found out a bit more about what i was talking about earlier (sorry, still don't have a name for it). Music has a sound vibration that we can resonate with or have our energy patterns patterns disturbed by....that's why music can change our moods. Playing music through small speakers or headphones into the "small intestine alarm point" (an accupuncture related area below the navel) seems to have the effect of balancing the body, increasing a sense of wellbeing and reducing stress levels. The theory is that peptides get released into the intestines.
pretty neat huh?!
Where would we be without music????
# Posted on December 20th 2002 by fiddlefeet
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
Now I'm really curious to ask my Mom what she listened to while she was pregnant with me. It certainly wasn't Irish trad. Propably the Supremes, Barbara Streisand, and whatever else was popular just before the Beatles exploded onto the scene. I could definitely be calmed and lulled to sleep by Barbara.
# Posted on December 20th 2002 by Andee
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
The idea that mental and/or bodily processes can follow music is called entrainment. Maybe that's the word you're looking for fraser. It doesn't have to be music, either. The claim is made that such things as repeating mantras will entrain various processes. If you do a search for it on the web you'll find lots of stuff. As usual, almost miraculous claims are made for the benefits of entrainment. The basic process isn't in doubt though.
Steve
# Posted on December 20th 2002 by SteveKendall
Re: The Mozart Effect - music and the brain
Entertainment - that's it
# Posted on December 22nd 2002 by fiddlefeet