Music is a potent source of entertainment and an effective form of self-expression, offering us an escape from reality while opening doors to endless creative expression. Music can bring comfort, relieve anxiety and depression symptoms and has long been part of human culture since ancient times.
Early music consisted of folk songs sung or played on flute or pipe to combat boredom and create bonds among people, while musical instruments brought new possibilities into music-making. When the Renaissance (c. 1400 to 1600) came around, composers wrote richly polyphonic pieces featuring multiple melody lines intertwined simultaneously – this helped spread musical styles faster so more people could learn new kinds of music faster.
Many people hold diverging viewpoints regarding what defines music. Some claim it only applies to sounds with distinct structure or pattern; others insist that if there is no discernible structure present then they cannot be considered music; yet others insist it must contain elements of rhythm, pitch and timbre as well.
The Greeks saw music as an outlet to express emotions and serve a functional purpose, such as invigorating or soothing their spirits. Plato believed that musicians could evoke strong responses in listeners by using voice and musical instruments, creating emotions within listeners’ souls. Stoics and Epicureans placed more importance on sensation than did Greeks but nevertheless saw music as art that helped elevate human spirit.
Songbirds use music to protect their territory or woo mates; monkeys have been seen beating hollow logs to create rhythmic beats. Humans use music for many different reasons such as intensifying exercise sessions, improving sleep quality, relaxing muscles after strenuous activity or perfecting motor skills – or in more menacing cases to break down negotiations in standoffs or torture terrorists.
People often find that listening to certain types of music helps them focus and excel at work or school. The reason is due to how music activates both left and right hemispheres of their brain, boosting learning. Furthermore, music can move someone from Beta brainwave states into deeper Alpha and Theta brainwave states for even deeper concentration, memory retention, and focus enhancement.
Children benefit immensely from having an outlet for self-expression through music. Without an instrument to learn, children often struggle with communicating their emotions and can bottle up feelings inside. Piano or drum lessons provide children with this outlet – kids of all ages need this type of outlet! If families don’t have the money for lessons themselves, consider making it part of a family project or allow your children to join a neighborhood band instead.