Musical Environments

What is classical music? “The word “classics” is derived from the Latin adjective “classicus” meaning “belonging to the highest class of citizens”, characterized by lasting interest or significance, and serving as a model or exemplar.” Whether it is classical literature or music, it is related to “classicus” scriptor or composer, non proletarius (“a distinguished, not a commonplace writer or composer”). Musical masterpieces often became “classical” several years after the death of the composer. Only true art was accepted by the following generations, the art of music that reflects beauty.

Classical music started as a form of folk music. It has always existed. It is eternal, because true art never dies. Classical music represents true beauty, intelligence and is a model for every other form of music.

The earliest form of a written manuscript of classical music was the Gregorian Chant. Before that time people memorized music and passed it down to the next generation by word of mouth.

How is classical music different? Classical music has a more complex musical structure. Researchers think the complexity of classical music is what primes the brain to solve spatial problems more quickly. The research on neural brain development, known as the Mozart Effect, proved that listening to the music of Mozart or other classical composers increases our intellectual abilities.

Optimal times of learning in children are called “Windows of Opportunities.” During the first few years of life, a child’s brain begins to wire approximately 100 trillion neurons for social intelligence, emotional intelligence, motor development, vision and thinking skills.

Our brain produces alpha waves just before we fall asleep and right after we wake up. Researchers found evidence that during alpha waves we experience an increased ability to absorb information and to boost creativity. Listening to classical music during the alpha state maximizes the benefits.

Appreciation of classical music and arts bring beauty into children’s lives.

It is often said that we live in a visual culture. The fact remains that we also live in a strongly sonic atmosphere. We lose awareness of this background of sound. In her research on different types of music, Katharine Le Mee informs us that the American Speech and Hearing Association has estimated that 40,000,000 Americans live, work, or play around music that is dangerously loud. She warns us that it is well documented that significant loss of hearing results when music is played too loud or too close to the ear. She further asserts that what we listen to matters and that this is becoming more and more obvious.

Indeed, sound literally matters. It has the power to give shape to materials. A number of experiments have been done illustrating the effect of sound on inert matter. Substances such as drops of water, soap bubbles, and lycopodium powder (spores of club moss) were placed on a diaphragm and subjected to a variety of sounds. As the sound changed, the result was a series of flowing, changing patterns of great beauty and complexity. The effect of sound on living organisms is also well documented. Several studies show that trees increase their yield under the influence of music. In response to the music played, some plants grew toward or away from the speakers. With certain music some plants even withered and died.

According to the Japanese scientist Dr. Masaru Emoto, the formation of snowflakes is influenced by different environmental conditions, pollution, human thought and… music. In his water crystal experiments, the beautiful snowflakes were produced by classical music and positive spoken words such as “Thank you”. Distorted flakes developed when water molecules were exposed to heavy metal music and negative words. Such studies involving the visible sound vibration and transformational nature of the sound and matter are known as cymatics.

We do not resonate so deeply with the visual as with the auditory. We are very sensitive to sound, not just through the ear, but also through our whole skin, and all our organs are affected by it.