Who is the invisible conductor that makes our heart beat? How did the ten thousand heart cells agree to a rhythm? From the simple beat of our hearts to complex symphonies of sound we hear from an orchestra, why does music help us think? How can an acoustic pattern help us to learn and grow?
My husband says that music stops him from getting tunnel vision because as each new tune or melody starts, his creative perspective is redefined. Do you remember learning things from songs? For those of us of a certain age and living in North America, we had the joys of School House Rock to teach us everything from how legislation works (I’m Just a Bill) to how adverbs work (Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here). I still hum some of these songs to myself when I need to remember the rules of grammar.
We love patterns. The natural world is full of patterns, from the shape of shells to the patterns we see on leaves. We establish patterns in our body and with our body and we are drawn to patterns in our social lives. Have you ever watched the pattern of traffic? We all slow down and speed up for real or imagined reasons together. We will walk in step in a crowd. We comment on it in birds but we also like to flock. Rhythms are sound patterns, they are an audio pattern that we can connect to at a deep level and we not only relate we can relay that pattern. Go listen to Steve Reich.
Music stimulates multiple parts of the brain, bringing them online while we listen. If you start singing, even more, pieces come onboard. Our connection to music and its ability to create new neurological patterns may help us to think deeper. Scientists have been looking at music to see if it could help adults with Alzheimer’s disease. The question they are asking is essential, can we rewire the brain to work around the areas affected by the disease by using music?
Yet, as much as I adore music while I work, I have friends and colleagues who have said they want no music at all while they work. I can appreciate that people need different things, but for me, more often than not silence seems to mock me, creating diminishing echoes that go nowhere instead of ever evolving patterns of thought. When we work together, how can we find a happy medium? The folks at Focusatwill.com say they have done just that.
At Focusatwill.com all of the music you hear has been re-mastered to be heard without you actually listening to it. Huh?? It’s essentially combining the benefits we get from listening to music but getting rid of the distracting bits that make others want to turn the music off. These are the sounds, like the human voice, that prompt our brains to pay closer attention, therefore distracting us from our work. I’ll be honest, I’m not convinced that’s it’s always the way I want to go, sometimes I need to sing along, particularly if the task is a tedious one, but I found the music soothing. I used it while writing part of this post and it’s an interesting approach. I think their solution might be particularly useful if you work somewhere where you can’t block out your colleagues with headphones but music is a menace for some of your co-workers.
What do you think? Is silence golden or where words fail does music speak?
If you’d like to find some alternatives to Focus At will, check out Rainy Mood, Jazz and Rain or Relaxing Beats.
Music is definitely brain food. Kind of like fish. 😉
It helps get the creative juices flowing, and has been proven to be beneficial in healing, aiding with creativity, and expanding your mind.
And yet, I don’t listen to music every day. Hmm. Maybe I should. I used to!
When I go to get acupuncture as I am in the room there is music playing.. I am usually one who likes to sing along and then I lose my concentration. I found that the music of which I have never heard before with sounds of water, birds singing are actually relaxing which helps me to devoid my mind of thoughts. Sol I am totally relaxed when getting acupuncture. However, when working the music is distracting. Now if I play it before I start working it gets me in such a good mood I want to work.
What a nice post and discussion 🙂 I used to not be able to work in silence – I suppose music helped me feel at ease in a noisy office environment. Since I started working at home, I also started writing more… And I absolutely cannot write when music plays in the background – it distracts me and like many before me, I end up singing along hahahaha
I still work while listening to music sometimes, but it has to be some tedious work which doesn’t require much thinking. I clean and cook while listening to music, does this count as work? Lol
One other thing got my interest in your post, Debra – that you still sing some songs when you try to remember a grammar rule. I know there are ‘school songs’ with the sole purpose of teaching grammar and that is a fascinating way to teach English, especially to people whose native language is not English. Not sure why we don’t do this (well, at least in my home country we don’t…) I remember as a child I learned a lot of words and phrases in context from favorite songs, not in school…
Hi Debra,
I have long loved music, both in airplay on the radio as a former radio personality, and as background to my creativity. There are a number of health benefits to great music as well, relaxation being one of them.
All the best,
Bill
I. Love. Music. Unfortunately, I can’t focus very well with music playing while I work. I need it to be really quiet when I work otherwise I can’t concentrate and music distracts me because I will sing along or get moved to remember something associated with a song. Music has many benefits, and it’s a shame so many schools are cutting it from their curriculum. The picture you have of the birds on a wire above also has a video set to music based on their configuration. Have you seen it? I came across it a couple of weeks ago.
Music is certainly “Mind Food” for me, as you say. I struggle to write or think when words are being spoke that I can understand. Living abroad is helpful because I don’t understand a lot of what’s being said around me sometimes. It’s good because I can just tune it out but lately, I’ve grown to understand more and that’s forced me to bring music to listen to in crowded places. Classical music helps me when working through a piece of writing or a book. Maybe I’m just getting old?
On traffic patterns, I’m not sure about them in America (or Canada in your case) anymore but the ones found in Asia are amazing to see. I recently purchased a 50cc scooter and have reaped the benefits of the never-ending gap fills that occur during heavy traffic situations. It works almost like a beautifully orchestrated symphony.
Thanks for sharing this. I really enjoyed the thoughts and as always, look forward to reading more.
Love this post, Debra. I am one of those who cannot do mind work (my writing) with music playing. I find that music energizes me when I have to do physical work like cleaning the house or gardening. And other music will calm me if I want to go to sleep. But when I need my brain to be in top form, I need quiet and no distractions.
Debbie I love this topic as I am a big fan of music both as audience and as participant. I once listened to research done about how shops use music to lure shoppers in to buy and it works, as people stay longer and actually buy depending on music they hear. I am checking out that site you gave, sounds interesting. I cannot study if I hear the slightest sound of music or sound. My most interesting issue with music is the fact that sometimes I sleep while its a full blast, then sometimes I cannot sleep while its soft, I need silence. This is one interesting area in human life.
I have tried to work with music on. It doesn’t work. I ended singing the lyrics to the songs while I’m looking at a blank computer screen.
I constantly have music on and it helps me be more think clearer, be more productive and a happier person. My husband on the other hand, will come and turn off the music if he needs to think. Different strokes as they say.
Debra — I love music and playing the cornet when I was a youngster. I am forever grateful that I had the opportunity to play in my award-winning high school band and even march in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in front of Santa Claus! Learning how to read music and playing within a “team” helped me to a greater appreciation of music when I listen to it at home or at a concert. However, I can’t listen to music when I’m working. It’s a distraction, although I have many friends who couldn’t work without the music on.
I think there is a common thread between those who intimately know music and their inability to listen to it when they are working. I think the fact that you know it so well just makes it too much of a siren call. In this instance I’m happy in my lack of knowledge. 🙂
Debra, I went to Focusatwill.com and tried it out because of what you said about not having to really listen to it. Maybe it’s because I used to play musical instruments — I automatically listened to all the different instruments playing Bach. I am definitely one of those who need absolute silence when doing serious writing.
I understand totally! I think that if you play an instrument or really know how to sing, you listen to music in a different way. I would say that for me ignorance is bliss. 🙂
Music is certainly soul food. It can go where no words can and has the power to evoke a complex symphony of emotions.I use it to change my mood, especially when I am stuck!
I hear you! Music can change my mood, mind and motivation when I’m writing.
I read in Stephen King’s book that he would listen to music while writing his novels. I wrote 80 pages of a novel and would listen to movie soundtracks. Depending on the mood of the scene, I would listen to a certain type of song. I agree with you that music can bring inspiration and help you work longer. Great post and topic! =)
Thanks for compliment! I can totally see putting on something creepy while writing a horror. My son was fooling around on the piano not long ago and started playing these isolated notes. The sound got so creepy we both got weired out and had to hang out together for a while to feel safe. 🙂
I love to listen to music, especially when I’m doing anything I don’t want to be doing, like cleaning the kitchen. You’re right that different projects call for different types of music. I like what you said about your husband’s creativity being sparked by the beginning of a new song. I think that applies to me too. I love your line: “How did the ten thousand heart cells agree to a rhythm?” Very poetic!
Why does house work become so much easier with music? Honestly, if I put on music, suddenly it’s no big deal. My son plays the trombone, so there are times when we can actuallly agree on music and both want classical music as a back drop while we work. When that happens, the house gets cleaned as if by magic. 🙂
I’m all about the music. I even go so far as to pick out playlists based on what I am working on. I have found, with the rise of Pandora like services it has become much easier for me to set and forget what I want to play.
Not too long ago I found a site that plays various white noise type sounds. I enjoy the sound of thunder and rain while working on occasion.
What I have discovered over my years of life (listen to me sounding like some wise old man) is I have a very active brain. If I don’t find something to occupy my mind while performing a task I can be easily distracted. Music helps to keep the the activity down.
There are times when the only thing I want t hear while I write is water and I use Songza to help me out. I can find everything from babbling brooks, falling rain, crackling fires and the one that always makes me chuckle, coffee shop noises. 🙂
Of course they also provide a ton of other choices (from the Beatles to white noise) that let you press play and forget. Unfortunately for those of us in Canada (and outside of the U.S.), we can’t access Pandora.
I found this one a bit ago (http://www.noisli (dot) com/#about). They do some of the great random noises and now they even have an IPad app. Sometimes when I want to here the rain and such when I fall asleep I will use them.
Very cool…I particularly love the sound of the train and yes, good for bedtime too. Unless I’m driving being in any vehicle is a compelling reason to have a nap. 🙂
Heavens, I can’t work with music playing! I need silence and am at my most creative about 4.30 am before the neighbourhood has woken up
I get it, although I love the tunes while I work, I can see why someone else wouldn’t. If I can actually get myself out of bed then I will admit I get some great work done early morning. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
I have to have silence when I work. Music distracts me and I’ve experimented with many different kinds. And, surprisingly, when I cycle, no music – I cycle outside and would rather hear nature than my blasting iPod. And, even more unbelievable, when I drive more times than not, I don’t like music on, but I DO sing in the shower. Go figure!
I have been experimenting with silence in the car when I drive for the last few weeks. I try to take that time to think about my blog. I was feeling bored with it and thought that I needed to give it more thought so scheduled that time for the blog thinking. As for the shower, doesn’t everybody sing in there? 🙂
Seems we are different in this respect, Debra. Personally never listen to music when I work. On and off listen to it first thing in the morning but at the moment am off that too. For me a quick nap or a walk works much better if I’m not connected to creativity, or productivity for that matter.
I understand, I think it’s such a personal thing. As to walks, they do wonders for my brain too. I find some of my best solutions when I’m walking.
Very interesting article, Debra. Music helps me cope with stress. If I need to relax, I listen to “New Age” type music, such as Peter Kater. If I feel like dancing. I listen to some Bee Gees or Al Green and If I want to think beautiful thoughts. I listen to romantic ballads, from Tony Bennett to Steve Perry. While working, I have jazz or classical playing in the background.
We could hang out together. I put Peter Kater on to answer this post and he’ll stay on while I’m working on my blog (thanks for the introduction!). As to the Bee Gees and Al Green – yup, all over it. I saw Tony Bennett live. He asked the sound techs to turn everything off at one point and sang a cappella to this huge auditorium… it was brilliant and so clear, still gives me chills. 🙂
I think music has a lot of power. I don’t usually have it on when I’m writing – it’s too distracting. But I find it easier to do work around the house with music in the background. When I was working in the corporate world, I found I could help reduce stress levels with headphones on and listening to favourite music when doing solo work at the computer.
Housework with music makes the housework go so much faster. If I’m cleaning with my kids, my son and I can’t be on the same floor because then we have the music wars. 🙂 I also love cooking with music.
Debra, my husband and I are at either end of the spectrum: he loves playing music, fast pace and loud. I prefer no music but will go for slower, no words and softly in the background. So bring on the headphones so we each can create our especially wonderful environment.
Isn’t strange how music can impact us in such completely different ways? I have a friend who can’t stand music in restaurants because she finds it so distracting, yet she is an avid concert goer and loves live music.
Hi Debra. The idea of music as mind food is intriguing. At the very least we know it can be a stimulant or a relaxant with the effects of military music and lullabies well researched. Certain musical rhythms have been shown to enhance productivity in assembly work,others to enhance retail sales, and others to have a calming effect. By contrast, film tracks use crescendos or other non-repetitive forms to create tension. As visual patterns are conducive to developing some areas of brain function in young children it seems likely that musical rhythm not only stimulates in real time but contributes to development. If music is food, the Focusatwill approach is vitamin pills and I share your preference for natural nutrition
Well said all the way around Paul. When I was looking into the effects of music on performance and thinking I was amazed by the sheer volume of research. From pain therapy to post stroke recovery music does amazing things. We are collectively fascinated my music, even if we don’t always want it on when we’re working. 🙂
I’m very visually-oriented. I do art, design my garden, think about the colors of the food I serve. So if you substitute art where you talk about music, I’m there. I like silence while I work. Chirping birds are fine.
Hahahahaha…I’m also a big fan of visual art and I think that when I paint/garden it also stimulates my mind, but unfortunately I can’t write and garden at the same time. I have a funny feeling I’m going to be in the minority on the music front. 🙂
I know that this will seem incongruent, but I am more of a “silence is golden” person. Yet I used to sing in a jazz trio! When I am working, music is more of a distraction for me. Probably because I stop writing and start singing! Ha! My parents were both teachers and from early on taught us study skills…silence was a part of that. The rule was no radio or record player. Yet my sister was a classical pianist and played all the time, so music was always wafting through our house. I think I will check out focusatwill…sounds like a happy medium.Very interesting post!
It makes sense to me. I can only listen old songs with words when I’m working because I can sing them without thinking. As a singer your brain would fire up when the music started but it would also be tuning into the music. 🙂