Music’s Impact: Emotions, Brain, and Culture (II)

By Klaus Döring

Well, people have different musical tastes depending on their age, education and even mood. Some people like classical music, others prefer rock, pop or jazz, but nobody is indifferent to it.

As for me, I used to sing in front of the mirror in my childhood. A pencil box served me as a microphone and I imitated a show on the stage. It was great fun! At the age of 9, I wanted to become a radio host. Not knowing then, that one day it will become true.

At present I can’t spend a day without music. In the morning I prefer fast rhythmic music. It’s like a cup of coffee or a cool shower that encourages you and freshens you up. So, since the early morning you are in a cheerful spirit and the forthcoming day seems to give many pleasant surprises. Isn’t it a great start to the day?

I am  in a bad mood, so I turn to music. Nothing can help me better to forget about my problems than a merry song. Listen to your favourite melody and your spleen will disappear, and you are in a good temper again. What’s my favorite melody? Well, I don’t have one. Or something between Beethoven and the Apo Hiking Society.

After a hard working day I like to listen to some slow, beautiful melody. It helps me to relax and to forget about my tiredness.

My whole Filipino family cannot live without music. They listen to music, dance to music or learn to play musical instruments. There is music everywhere: at home, in the car,  in a concert hall, in the park, at the seaside, in the forest and even in the street.

Music is not only a combination of pleasant sounds. It is an art which reflects life. Music reflects people’s ideas and emotions. My ideas and emotions. In this world of ours, filled with conflicts, tragedies, joys and hopes, music strives to speak to people of what is most important.

Music in the lives of different people is different: some compose music, others play music, and others only listen to it. A lot of people who cannot play any musical instrument love to listen to music either at home or at a concert. Different people like different kinds of music. I tried to “compose” my first pieces on the grand piano, when I was 11. Something between Beethoven’s “Für Elise” and Freddy Aguilar’s “Mindanao”.

At the age of 7, I started collecting records. The then vinyl long plays. Later I got a lot of CDs. I downloaded music whenever I got the chance to.  I tried to watch all the programmes dealing with it on TV and went to the concerts as often as possible.

Different people like different music. The scientists say that they can define your character if they know what music you like. For example, they suppose that people who listen to rock music are very clever and reasonable. British scientists confirm that most young people listen to aggressive music such as metal and rock. Scientists say that these people are good students, because of their character and assiduousness. I agree with this statement, because I think that music shows your soul and nature.

I always adored people who compose music and write poems. I think that such people are very talented. Also I believe that they can draw pictures and show their feelings by their music or poems. They can make you cry or laugh. Moreover they make you think about global problems or you may lie soft and just dream while you are listening to the music.

Nowadays we have relaxing music, which we use in medicine. More helpful than all kinds of music is classical music by such famous composers as Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and Vivaldy. I didn’t expect that Filipinos would like (or even love!) this kind of classical music. Up to the day, I started hosting classical music radio shows.

The music I hate is heavy metal. I find it noisy and dreadful. When I listen to this style of music it presents to my mind pictures of dark days. Though some young people are fond of this style of music, it is not to everyone’s taste. To my mind, too loud music can do damage to our ears. I am indifferent to other styles of music. For example, I don’t mind listening to jazz. Improvisation is an important part of this style, that’s why a jazz song may sound a little different each time it is played. I think that jazz is a mixture of many different kinds of music, but I consider it a bit complicated.

My mother and father approve of my tastes in music. Though they prefer to listen to classical and “bard music”, they think that, on the whole, modern music is not too bad. My parents agree that each generation has its own tastes.

It goes without saying that music plays a very important role in people’s lives. It reflects our moods and emotions. Music appeals to our hearts and transforms our feelings. It conquers our souls and enriches our minds. Besides, listening to music is the perfect way to spend free time and not to feel bored. You can hardly find a person who doesn’t like or need music and who never sings or dances. Music is beauty in sounds; it is our magic source of inspiration.

Well, and then, one day during 2001,  I was  introduced to Philippine (Classical) Musicand  invited to several performances.

(To be continued)