Music -- Physiological effect; Music, Influence of
In addition to the physical elements of music previously discussed
there are other factors which enter into the type of response of mind
and body to music. Mention has been made above of the value of program
notes. People who hear new music for the first time may or may not
develop a visual or emotional response, but if prepared by descriptive
writing they may “understand” or at least enjoy the music more.
“Program notes, oral comments, and the general setting of the
presentation are important because they concentrate and reinforce the
mood response. Indeed it has been shown that in a verbal introduction
offered before a composition is presented, what is said does not
matter much, and that almost any kind of comment will enhance the
listener’s enjoyment if it serves to cue him into appropriate
effective states of mind.”[60]
Music aides should take this finding seriously and preface the playing
of musical selections with verbal commentary. Even popular dance music
may be prefaced by remarks about the solo instrument featured or the
personalities involved.
With the exception of the effects of rhythm, all other reactions
thus far cited have been largely psychologic. Before leaving the
discussion of response, one bit of evidence demonstrating possible
physiologic action will be presented. Gundlach[39] studied the songs
of six different American Indian tribes. Now the language, customs
and music of neighboring European countries frequently have something
in common, but the absence of the wheel in transportation made the
scattered people of the Western Hemisphere strangers to each other.
The speech and songs of the different Indian nations are entirely
unrelated, yet the songs representing the same types of ceremonials
show considerable agreement. From this Gundlach concludes that “music
has some conventions grounded on a firm basis of physiologic structure
and behavioral similarity of human beings.”
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