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Music Communication and Human Connection

Music has served as a basic and integral form of human communication and connection for centuries. In recent times the restorative and therapeutic virtues of music have been chronicled and suggest that its power to heal both mind and body coexists with its natural ability to connect people. Music is seen by many to possess natural qualities of restoration in terms of mental and physical wellness. Studies have shown that individuals suffering from depression, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), have been found to feel a sense of peace and calmness when routinely subjected to soft melodies and soothing compositions consistently used in their treatment. Music is composed of elements such as rhythm, harmony, tempo and melody. Medical professionals feel these characteristics are as common place to human beings as our DNA. Studies reflect increases in dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin which are all chemicals naturally created by the human body. These chemicals are produced naturally by the human body but may not be as prevalent in individuals suffering mental or physical traumas. Music has been noted to elicit feelings of calm and to improve the general mood and outlook of its listener. Patients suffering from heart disease and hypertension have seen a dramatic decrease in blood pressure and improvement in circulation and heart rate with prolonged and consistent exposure to music. In some cases medical and mental health professionals have looked at music therapy as an alternative to medications and other more invasive treatments for patients suffering from various forms of mental and physical ailments. One consistent finding that is widely agreed upon is the overwhelming evidence that music has a positive influence on all humans. Studies conducted with participants of different genders, ages and cultural backgrounds identify common themes within the musical experience. Themes that remain consistent among subjects often reminds them of a place, a particular moment, a friend or family member, or a feeling of pure joy or sadness. Music has a way of transcending basic human communication to dramatically enhance the meaning behind the message being shared between two or more persons. Music evokes raw and authentic emotion and has been found to have restorative effects both on mind and body for those that have experienced some type of trauma or illness. Since the dawn of time humans have used music to sooth a baby crying, celebrate milestones such as weddings and birthdays, mourn loss and offer praise and thanksgiving to a higher power. Music can be used to convey a message to an audience absent the custom of words. How often have you watched a movie and been keenly aware of the plot and events unfolding for the main characters simply through the tone and tenor of the music shaping the environment? If you’ve seen the movie Jaws you are familiar with the eerie pulsing of the “Dum…Dum…DUH…Dum Dum” used to announce the presence of the title character of the film and the impending and growing certain doom headed for anyone in the water at that time. Six basses, eight cellos, four trombones and a tuba send a clear message of dread whenever they harmonize to form the title theme song. Words would most likely in fact get in the way.

Some researchers believe that music plays a vital role in connecting human beings to one another. The reason is simple. Despite all of our unique characteristics as individuals, humans are still driven at their core to connect to others. Music is a vehicle by which many persons find that long desired connection to others. Researches reviewing the findings of instruments unearthed at various archeological sites across the planet have routinely found instruments among the items. These instruments have been formed out of the natural environment of that present day. Wood, ivory, hair and bone finely hewn and carved to create a flute, drum, guitar or pan pipe. It is believed that the driving force, one that would literally require the individual creating the instrument to place its importance above their own personal safety and well-being, is the longing to connect to others. Remember, the humans creating these instruments, especially during times like the ice age, were spending the vast majority of their time simply trying to survive. But these instruments show how essential music was even in those times of basic self-preservation. Music seems to literally have the ability to re-wire brain circuits focused on trust, compassion and collaboration for those persons that listen. This could be one of the main reasons why music has endured and been embraced by every culture on the planet.

One of the defining characteristics of music and the ability to share the musical experience was that early harmonies had to be experienced live and in person. Only in recent human history has the ability existed to record music and share it through various formats for individuals to listen to on their own and in a manner of their choosing. Research contends that this direct contact and the requirement of being present with others serves. This requirement to be present with others helped to create a circle of protection and a feeling of safety for the humans that were gathered together to share in the experience. It is believed that this bonding experience created an even greater sense of connectivity among participants and encouraged the development of bonds among those present. Again, the music united the individuals and created a deeper sense of community. The process of creating harmony with another individual or a group of individuals creates the necessity to cooperate with one another in order to harmonize. You’ve likely heard the term “singing off the same sheet of music” as a reference to people being in sync with one another or in harmony. To be on the same sheet and in harmony requires focus and coordination of effort for those persons to create a pleasing sound. If you’ve ever sung in a choir or played in a band you know firsthand of the effort required to be in concert with other humans.

The current landscape that is so prominently impacted by the lingering COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the indispensable role that music plays as a means of connecting individuals despite cultural or economic differences present among the participants. For music to exist it requires a person to develop the harmony or melody, to convey that melody through an instrument designed and made by humans, and finally for a recipient to interact with the melody. With many communities banning gatherings of large groups of people and in many cases even small groups, we have seen a dramatic decline of in person concerts and musical performances. While we still have access to various forms of recorded music and countless means available to replay these melodies such as MP3 players, smart phones, tablets and personal virtual assistants, it is our earliest and most basic needs to bond with other persons that makes us long for the day when we will once again be able to harmonize in person with one another. In concert composed and arranged by music.