Everyone knows that music can be the breath of life for many people, and there is now mounting psychological evidence that brass music in particular seems to resonate very well with the human state. This resonance is great for our mental health and overall wellbeing, and just listening to a broad range of music has been proven to be relaxing and comforting. But what about learning an instrument? It this the same, and can it have the same effect? Learning an instrument takes practice, and most of all patience, so you would think that there would be some degree of stress associated with the learning process.
Learning Brass Band Instruments Help Relieve Stress
Music for wellbeing and meditation has been studied for a long time, but the benefits of learning a musical instrument are only just being realised. When we are feeling sad, blue or even hopeless all we need to do is turn on some gentle music and our woes will dissipate. Similarly, when you are feeling happy and determined, listening to music can uplift you and help you feel inspired. Whatever instrument you might choose to learn, the simple activity of learning it over a period of time has been shown to improve mood, wellbeing and can bring about a state of calm. Brass band instruments are in particular very helpful for their calming effects, despite our associations with them as being loud and annoying.
Classic Music Benefits
Studies have found that listening to classical music can decrease stress and raise your general wellbeing level. When it comes to improving productivity, musicians (especially musicians who use classical music as part of their form of expression) tend to perform better than non-musicians. These same studies were conducted using children as the experimental subjects instead of adults because children are more prone to behave and think according to what they see instead of what they hear. Using classical music for wellbeing and meditation does exactly that; it calms your mind, increases focus and concentration and enables you to make better decisions and better use of your time.
Orchestral Music
While the use of orchestra instruments is not widely recommended by music historians, many claim that certain composers were influenced by various philosophies which still shape our modern day culture. The example of Mozart to this effect is his fascination with the works of Sibelius and Bach. Mozart had a penchant for the dramatic and darker side of things and his use of dark and ominous tones was often to create contrasting and ominous moods to increase drama and create tension. The same applied to the conductor, the orchestra. The conductor uses strings and other instruments to give a sense of movement and drama and to create the ever-moving background that we are all used to.
The Healing Powers Of Music
This was also true for the composer Antonio Salieri. He wrote operas and other pieces while he was very sickly and this has been associated with his creativity in later years. In fact, some believe that the inspiration for Salieri’s “Diaries of a Summertime Love” was really the hardships of being a contemporary composer while he was writing. In this piece, there are several references to music therapy and the ability to work working Musically. The title refers to the composer’s famous dictation during the last few months of his life, where he talked of the summer winds and the days of happiness that were yet to come. This was music for wellness and meditation during a time when he was in great pain but was also writing in a very inspired and creative way.
Summary
Music for wellbeing is more than just relaxation. As we listen to different types of music, we can learn a variety of things about ourselves that we would not have otherwise had access to without the assistance of classical music. Some of the most powerful things that you can learn about yourself are provided by listening to sounds in your head and your body. Hence, if you would like to create a happier and more balanced lifestyle, consider becoming a registered psychologist so that you can provide music for wellbeing workshops where you can connect to other people who have similar desires as you.