Music. The word itself should bring to your mind a brief sample of that intangible feeling that pervades you when you listen to it.We love music of all kinds. And we know it’s a powerful human phenomenon because it’s been around for so long. Here in the 21st century, it’s easy to realize how music has especially taken a prominent part in our daily lives because of the wonders of audio recording. Walk through campus and count how many people you see with earphones connected to an iPod.Now bring the matter to yourself. Maybe you have an iPod on as you read this column, or maybe not. Music for most people is mere entertainment, and they listen to it consciously just a few times a week. But it can’t be denied — it’s everywhere.  What are the implications of the near-omnipresence of music in our society? If you’ve never given it a thought, I advise you to do so.Music’s power is well known to scientists. It’s been proven music has a much more profound impact on our brain than spoken word. There are countless pieces of research that attest to that. Words inform — music forms. What can I say about the delightful combination of words and music? More than simple words could ever say, a song can impress meaning in different parts of our brain than just the area related to speech. Music in all forms immediately relates to our rational and emotional mind simultaneously.A brief example: Try to replace the words of a popular folk song when you’re having a hard time memorizing a period or a definition that you need to know for an exam. Adjust the length of the phrase(s) to the melody, sing along a couple of times and voilá — just think about that song when you’re taking the exam, and you have your memorized phrase.Music has a unique property precisely described by the word “entrainment.” Entrainment is what makes you tap a rhythm automatically when you hear a tune.Because of that, my point here intends to go far beyond just developmental theory. Music can shape social behaviors and influence actions in a very effective way. Music is also the best portrayal and symbol of a community’s values.Sadly, a great deal of alienation and ignorance is stimulated   — if not created by — the enormous amount of bad music that invades our lives daily. If all you listen to is a sequence of repetitive beats installed by the poorly toned MIDI sound of a fake band/orchestra, over which someone superposed meaningless lyrics, I’m truly sorry. The abundance of music that mindlessly talks about crime, sex and violence is not just a portrayal of a society, it’s a strong advertisement of that negative environment.I’m not talking about specific genres. The only thing I’m certain of is there are two genres of music: good music and bad music. And music is food for the mind. If you eat junk food, don’t expect your body to be ready to fight diseases or to perform well physically. Listening to good music is an activity that will give you emotional and mental exercise and will benefit your being and life pricelessly.Mind your music. Look for variety, richness of timbres and forms, beauty and — most importantly — for messages that will contribute to your appreciation and understanding of the world around you.
Marcelo Vieira is 32-year-old a jazz cello graduate student from Brazil. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_mvieira.—————Contact Marcelo Vieira at [email protected]