Let the music play

Your best friend likes Metallica but you classify it as noise. Indian ghazals make you smile but puts your brother to sleep. Music has different effects on people. So why do we humans respond to music to begin with? The best psychologists, doctors and scientists have still not reached a conclusion. But research proves that music has been a part of human lives for over 50,000 years!

Great music can transform an ordinary day into something magical. It can provide solace, release, strong sensations and escape. Here are some interesting music facts.

* Improves IQ levels, verbal and visual skills.

* Engaging with music results in an emotionally powerful experience.

* It is an important tool for rehabilitating stroke patients by restoring visual attention.

* Helps in reducing stress and anxiety associated with receiving treatment for coronary heart disease.

* Aids in mood management.

* Infants as young as five-months-old respond to music and find it more interesting than speech.

Previously, waiting for your favorite singer/bands’ new album took forever. Concerts or theatres were the only sure-fire way to experience live music and videos were restricted to the developed parts of the world.

In the last two decades, music has reached optimum levels. The advent of Internet has revolutionized the music experience singlehandedly. It assists radio to obtain world music, fans can download latest music instantly and YouTube has changed the music industry globally!

Music has always been an integral part of movies and today it has penetrated into almost every aspect of lifestyle. Of late, walkmans have been replaced with iPods and MP3 players and headphones are incorporated with studio- effects. Smart TVs integrate apps to download music/video and smart phones have Beats Audio to elevate listening experience. Lifts, cars, IVR’s play music/videos. Telecommunication companies have also realized the importance and potential of music -related services for mobile phone users. For instance, Warid Telecom provides its subscribers with the facility to dial 5500 & start enjoying their favorite background music during a call.

It has the power to shift our feelings from joy to sorrow in a split second by reliving cherished memories and creating many more. While some say sports bring the world closer, I believe that the power of music surpasses all barriers and brings the world together. So why don’t we change the mantra from ‘Let the games begin’ to ‘Let the music play’?!