It’s a feeling not a sound.

How music is much more than just a quality and pitch.

I have learned a lot from music in my little lifetime and I know I will learn much more. Recently someone taught me one of the most important aspects about it. The fact that music is not just a sound that is supposed to sound like an exact pitch but to just feel the music and most of the time it actually sounds better.

It was a late night jam and I was struggling with playing the guitar when I was told to close my eyes. Me being the anxious lil person I was, I freaked out and stated that I needed the chords and the lyrics and that I could not play without them. I was then told to relax, trust, and try so I did. I closed my eyes, cleared my head, and felt the music. At first I felt stupid and wanted to quit but realized I might as well give it a shot. This was the first time I had played fully by ear without worries. Yes, I may have messed up once or twice, but I felt the music and it taught me that I actually can play without the chords, to just listen.

Music is not intended to be stressed about but a form of stress relief. It is a form of universal language that most people do not realize. Every song has a meaning but even without words the song can sooth the soul. Sometimes just listening to songs with the mindset of appreciation is good but it forces you to truly listen to what you think you are listening to. This is why foreign music is respected so well. Even if you do not know what it is saying it is the fact that you can still relate is remarkable.

Scientifically, music has been intensely studied on its impacts on the brain. Music actually triggers the release of dopamine in the dorsal and ventral striatum in the brain. These regions are often known for their pleasurable stimuli. Dopamine increase often results from sex, drugs and music. Most people do not realize the true effect music has on the body. It is unique because it is not a tangible reward like eating or drugs but an abstract one. Music can be like a drug. It can actually be very addictive.

The main effect in you happens the most when the music gets intense but before it drops or changes. The most dopamine is released in rising action which most people do not understand until they pay attention. I recently paid attention to my mood during a song and actually noticed the dopamine release in the build-up of one of my favorite songs and of a new song. You are more aroused then you think and that is why music is such a universal language because it can affect all people pleasurably no matter the genre.

Music is a drug. Let’s enjoy it!