MUSIC PLAYS YOUR BRAIN WHEN YOU PLAY MUSIC

Music asks this question:

Can you count to four? One. Two. Three. Four. Like that.

Over and over the count goes on like a mantra.

One

Two

Three

Four

Is there anything more?

If the count goes right when you’re alone, bring in others and count together. When it works out, that’s your new band.

What do they start tapping to begin? A drum. If it’s a new drummer, listen carefully. If they start hitting everything at the same time and call themselves a ‘jazz drummer,’ point them toward Mel Brown.

All About That Bass

Once the beat is settled, bring in low end, the bass man. If it’s an audition, check for a pick. Or do they play with their fingers?

A music joke goes like this: A man goes to Africa on safari. The first night he hears drums and it’s charming. The second night the drums keep him awake. The third night he’s super annoyed and complains. His guide tells him, “Don’t say anything. If the drums stop, then we have to hear the bass solo.”

I’ve read that the tightest bond in any rhythm section is the Rolling Stones. Drummer Charlie Watts said his band was different because instead of everyone playing off the drum beat, they all play off of Keith’s riffs.

I think it’s been working.

Add Guitars

Music in my brain kicks in best with a strumming acoustic guitar played behind a sustained note electric guitar lead line. A slow slide is even better.

But that’s just my brain on music. Studies show more power:

In one study reviewed, researchers studied patients who were about to undergo surgery. Participants were randomly assigned to either listen to music or take anti-anxiety drugs. Scientists tracked patient’s ratings of their own anxiety, as well as the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.The results: The patients who listened to music had less anxiety and lower cortisol than people who took drugs.

Levitin cautioned that this is only one study, and more research needs to be done to confirm the results, but it points toward a powerful medicinal use for music. “The promise here is that music is arguably less expensive than drugs, and it’s easier on the body and it doesn’t have side effects,” Levitin said. 

Levitin and colleagues also highlighted evidence that music is associated with immunoglobin A, an antibody linked to immunity, as well as higher counts of cells that fight germs and bacteria.

I’m guessing Levitin and colleagues have a room full of the stuff in the top pic.

The brain on music is universal. We’ve all got one, but we don’t use them all the same way. Music can change that.

Encourage musicians in the family, in the street, on stage. Live music can do things. Make music friends.

To get it going, wear a vest with no shirt underneath, lower the lights, and rock.

Feeling anxious? Depressed? Alone? Listen to some new music, old music, modern, or classical.

Then turn that shit up. One, two, three, four.

Ah, feeling better already, get some more.