OK, so everyone knows music has been around since “the beginning of time,” but how many people actually know the effects of music on individuals and society? The reason I bring this up is because I have been fascinated and involved with music since I was a kid (church choir, junior high and high school band, college classes, almost always playing music).
Anyway, the Apple WWDC (World Wide Developer’s Conference) was held recently and they announced the new gadgetry, finger movement lingo, and of course, the apps. However, the most riveting thing in the conference video for me, was the minute thirty second musical evolution video they made before introducing the new Apple Music App . This apple video highlights years of music and its social magnetism. It was absolutely captivating with its progression of ‘eye and ear candy.’
After watching that, I had to do some research as to why almost every shot would have people coming together because of music. I realized quickly that it was a little too broad of a topic. So here is some information I found while trying to figure out just why we are so drawn to music, or rather what I actually put in the search bar, ‘psychology of music’. There were a ton of results, mind you, but I limited it to these two sources of information.
On Shutterstock.com‘s music psychology blog, they explain how music begins in the auditory cortex, how your mood has an impact on what you decide to listen to , effects of your own music history and some fun videos of– this is what your brain looks like on music.
The second is a little definition that I’m sure practically everyone can relate to.
Emotional Outlet: emotional outlet is any venue used to relieve psychological stress (eg, strenuous exercise, vigorous sexual activity, video games, etc).
And who doesn’t know stress in this day and age?!
What I’m trying to say is, music is inherently otherworldly in that it is a singular channel of communication that we all can understand, come together and (insert emotion)