This is our fourth part of examining music as a notable aspect of communication and should continue to be used and researched. It speaks; therefore, it is a language, it heals; therefore, it is medicine, it creates; therefore, it is an artist; it encourages; therefore, it is an inspirations speaker, it calls to action; therefore, it is a motivator, it soothes the heart and soul; therefore, it is a counselor, it uplifts and brings hope; therefore, it is a savior. It is used to communicate through entertainment, teaching, therapy for those with physical and learning disabilities, infants and adolescents, adults, the elderly, and trauma victims. It is also used in our worship and praise unto the Lord. Let us begin to delve deeper into these aspects.
The entertainment value of music is self-explanatory. We as humans do love to be entertained, and to entertain. I tell my girls regarding budgeting, that they will inevitably want to spend money on some sort of entertainment, whether it be a movie, concert, or sports related event, so they might as well budget for it. In the same token, kids, teenagers, and adults are going to want some type of music entertainment in their lives, so you might as well prepare for it. On the part of parents, they will need to be monitoring what is listened to by their children, especially in the early years, but ongoing as well. Choosing songs that teach, with child related themes, is especially important. Their minds are like sponges and they are learning from and absorbing everything they hear. This will in turn make it easier to introduce wholesome music into their lives when they are teenagers. They will then learn to make good choices when they grow into adulthood. Although most every type of music could be considered entertainment, at least to some, not all music would be appropriate for all ages.
Parental Advisory Labels were introduced in 1990 to help parents determine how a CD was rated regarding content. There were so many explicit lyrics in songs that it was becoming of great concern. The retail industries have not been very consistent and cooperative with this idea though, because of their sales being affected. Other contentions and observations regarding labeling are, though they label the CD’s, they are still marketing them to the young people that the label is indicating should not be listening to them. More research is needed in this area, but people need to be attentive to what their children are listening to. Parents should keep in mind that what they personally listen to will be a testimony to their children. ‘Do as I say and not as I do,’ will not work.
Anyone who has children knows that schools all over the United States and around the world have traditionally offered some type of music education, beginning from kindergarten to the college level. They range from band, orchestra, choir, to special ensembles. I have a daughter who is a senior at Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee, who received a full scholarship through their music program called “Renaissance.” It has been a blessing to our family! With that being said, it is heartbreaking that the Arts, of which music is a part, are having to be eliminated from the curriculum of many educational institutions due to lack of funding.
Music is a wonderful form of self-expression and brings out one’s creativity. By teaching music, many peripheral lessons will be learned by the student. Discipline would be on the top of the list, because to learn, there must be persistent and consistent practicing, whether it be an instrument, a song, or a march. Structure would be another lesson. In music theory, everything has a quantitative measure; it is structured by bars, notes, phrases, and scales. When marching, there is structure; where to stand, when to go, when to stop, which way to go, when to start playing the instruments while marching, etc. When singing in a choir you must know when to start singing, where there is a rest, when it is fast, when it is slow, and the rhythm of the song. Participation and team spirit are also enormous ‘lessons for life’ that should be learned at an early age. The choir members are supposed to sound like one voice, the band strives to be totally coordinated while marching and the instruments in the orchestra should complement one another, not compete. By teaching music there will be countless lessons taught.
The lyrics of a song can be a teacher. Lessons of etiquette, friendliness, attitudes, reading, writing and arithmetic and behavior, are all incorporated, starting in kindergarten. Depending on the piece chosen, you can teach the students about different eras they were written in and about how styles have evolved. Past culture is taught through music and the culture of the current generation is developed and realized through music. We are all a sum of both past and present and the future will be determined by our present actions and decisions. Teaching is never time wasted and using music can make learning fun.
Those who have sustained brain injuries can become physically and mentally incapacitated. This could apply to victims of strokes and even Parkinson’s disease. Rhythmic measures and auditory stimuli can awaken the brain. Music can cue the brain to tell the body to move. It is stated, “VA participants who received rhythmic auditory stimulation, a Neurologic Music Therapy technique, following strokes, improved their one-limb stance, cadence, velocity, stride-length, and posture significantly more than control participants.” It improves motor control and increases output from the sensorimotor system. It facilitates speed and stride length when a patient is learning to walk again. Music aids in better breathing for people with emphysema, thus enhancing their lives. Patients that can barely move because of strokes have had increased movements using the rhythmic cueing method. Synchronization is a way to build confidence to take the next step and can take the guess work and lack of self-assurance out of the equation.
The list of learning disabilities is numerous, but one that is commonly seen is speech development disorders. A child can be diagnosed with this in the early stages of life, usually a symptom of other problems, but one can become mute at any age due to many situations and/or circumstances. With Neurodevelopment Disorder, which is the underlying cause of speech, motor dysfunctions and other speech related issues, the development of the central nervous system is disrupted. Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) is often used to assist people in the development of these skills. NMT is defined as, “the therapeutic application of music to cognitive, sensory, and motor dysfunctions due to disease of the human nervous system.” A great amount of research has been done in developing the techniques that are used. Therapists can track the progress of an individual, using the Rational Scientific Mediating Model (R-SMM).
The question is, how music communicates and facilitates change in the ‘non-musical’ aspect of the patient’s communication skills. All aspects of music have been taken into consideration when making this model; melody, range, rhythm, harmony, technique, lyrics, musical structure, tempo, and dynamics. The treatment targets cognitive, speech and language, and sensorimotor rehabilitation. It has been shown through case studies that those who become frustrated because they cannot effectively communicate, do decrease frustration using this method, creating an environment for success. The musical stimuli of playing a metronome with the timing gauged by the individuals’ temperament, during a typical session, sets the pace for collaborating with the patient. Motor skills respond more quickly when the senses are prompted with music and rhythm. Putting lyrics to tunes like, “Hello, how are you?,” they can transition more easily to a real-life situation and be able to communicate using the words they have learned in the song. Often these individuals are considered “mute,” but they can speak, when the right stimuli allow a connection to the neuro system.
This method has also helped people that are prone to aggression. Therapists will begin the sessions with violent rap and gradually, over a specified amount of time, progress to calming Blues. Soothing the neurological senses and decreases the anger that is felt and acted upon. Music is an effective communicator in this method, along with the patience of the trained and skilled doctors, nurses and therapists, life can return to normalcy for many.
We have an example of this in scripture. In this familiar Bible story of David, before he became king, he was known for his songs and musicianship. His reputation preceded him. 1 Samuel 16:14-23 says, “But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. And Saul’s servants said unto him, behold now, an evil spirit from God troubles thee. Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on a harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. And Saul said unto his servants, provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. And David came to Saul and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favor in my sight. And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so, Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”
We will continue this discussion in part five, however, in conclusion of this thought, let me add a word of encouragement to all. Music has a way of uniting a family, friends, and the church, and bridging generational, intellectual, emotional, or cultural gaps and chasms that are either self-imposed or from uncontrollable circumstances in our lives. This can be seen in theme songs, national anthems, fight songs or product jingles. They provoke unified thought and purpose and have a way of bringing out the best in people and situations we find ourselves in.
If ever you find yourself discouraged or angry, or your children just do not want to go to sleep, sing to them. This will change things, and if you want a one hundred percent guarantee on those kids falling asleep, sing something that brings praise to the Lord. Philippians 4:4-9 states, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again, I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful about nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do and the God of peace shall be with you.”