what is music?

for centuries humans have been listening to music. what is it about music that touches us? what is it, that when im in a bad mood, or even when im in a good mood... when i close my eyes and just listen, i relax to much.

what is it that makes us get pumped up by certain songs.

I love music because it brings out emotions. Music is incredibly powerful- as you said lastresort, it can make us happy, excited, sad, relaxed, pumped up, etc.

Humans are sensitive to stimuli- sound, light, air/food particles and touch. Music involves the combination of sound vibrations which stimulates the audiotory centre of the brain via the ear. It is similar to when we see something, our brain is stimulated, or when we smell or taste some nice food. When our brain is stimulated we evoke emotions- which is a natural mechanism to cope with the situation

Some songs gives us the 'chills' or goose-bumps especially if it is a sad song. When music evokes a past sad emotional experience it can give you the 'chills'. For example remembering a past break-up or death. This has been an evolutionary process. Basically these emotions are caused by the release of chemicals from the brain (i think in the hypothalamus part- which controls responses like increased heart rate, sweating, gooes-bumps).

I've heard before that sad music is often in the minor key rather than the major key. It is also usually slow and quiet. Play a sad song you know- you may notice that it mimicks wails or sighs of mourning.

When you can't get a song out of your head I think it is usually because the song is repetitive or has an unusual time signiture. Also, sometimes the important songs to us were heard in our first 15years of our lives, and then can become annoying if you hear them too much.

Songs that get you pumped up usually have a good rythm, tempo and something that is catchy. They can also be exciting and energetic. Music that relaxes you is usually, slow and has a soothing feel to it.

all right then, nicely put. =)

the hypothalamus... ill have to use that sometime....

music can be highly relatable to events in our own lives. sounds reflect emotions, or rather are a reflection of our emotions.

Are you ready to smile and feel connected?

Example: a chorus of people singing the same song at large venue or in an small group is the proof of harmony heals the soul and sets free the spirit.

If you have ever been moved to tears during such a performance then you too have proof that all humans can achieve oneness with all living things and why oh why would any one ever want to not amplify this great feeling capable of transcending the human race into a world of everlasting peace.

think about it, if humans ever focused their time and energy to making everyone feel that great always there would never be a need for the way things are today....

sing love live .....rdm