Music Therapy: sound instead of drugs

The fact that in our society the individual seeks to calm down almost
exclusively with the help of tranquillizers or drugs has become a common
habit in our daily life. Modern man lacks the necessary willpower to overcome
such awkward situations. Consequently, for him, the little jar of pills is the
easiest and most convenient solution. But this does not exclude a whole
series of discoveries that scientists and doctors in particular have only
recently begun to make. New methods have been noticed and studied, which
by their unexpected depth and their unexpected results make any of the
allopathic or artificial interventions unnecessary.
In this article we will deal with music and its benefits. Music is created for
people and it can make them feel better, when wisely used. Why, therefore
should we not enjoy such help? "Who seeks finds," says an old saying. This
form of courage, which will give the willpower and the daring to investigate, is
often rewarded by an important revealing discovery.
Music effect
From time immemorial, man has used sound and music for therapeutic
purposes and in his religious practices, as well. When we feel irresistibly
attracted by music we have to admit, undoubtedly, that it carries a definite
influence on our spirit. Sometimes music becomes exalted, and various
religious songs, rituals, and certain forms of musical accompaniment have
aimed at raising the human being to a higher spiritual level. In addition, music
tends to restore the individual to his true origin and essence.
It is therefore obvious that music is a means of healing and harmonizing the
individual as a whole. Through music, man can get rid, in time, of certain bad
habits; in this respect, for instance the influence of harmonious sounds on
decreasing psychological tension was noticed a long time ago and, hence, on
reducing aggressive behaviour.
Although music therapy is a recent form of treatment in modern medicine, it
has been recognized as such and has existed for centuries.
At the Music and Medicine" Congress in Ldenscheid, 1984, one of the
main conclusions reached was that music reduces stress. Currently, however,
many other conclusions have been drawn regarding the effect of music on the
individual. Thus, relaxing music reduces blood pressure and slows down
heart rate. A student from San Francisco has experienced playing certain

classical music fragments to a group of 28 prematurely born children and has

observed in an obvious way that they became stronger and started growing
faster.
Music means vibration, and some people automatically react to it. The
Australian Clynes, author of a remarkable work, "Music, mind and brain,
distinguished different forms of vibrations, according to the type of feeling
which they express. It is therefore necessary to make a clear distinction
between the vibrations corresponding to anger, sadness, fear (all of which are
negative, evil vibrations) and those expressing love, optimism, joy and other
positive emotions.
These essential vibrations, as they are called, are found in all major musical
compositions. They are the so-called primary vibrations which, metaphorically
speaking, are partially superimposed on the individual's genetic code and
thus can be recognized.
A large study conducted by researchers showed that humanity, even since
ancient times, has reacted to sounds. There are all kinds of vibrations, of joy,
pleasure, confidence, fear, anger, mistrust, etc. These vibrations which are
closely connected to the bioenergetic structure and the aura of the human
being, create a certain resonance, which is scientifically expressed in relation
to the nervous system.
Creating music means finding therefore the accord or the accurate harmony
to impress the public.
Methods of Action in Music therapy

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To make effective use of music, by the end of the therapy it is necessary to
select the type of music which is appropriate to the individual's emotional
predispositions. For example, people who feel unwell or who are depressed
should not be provided from the beginning with an agreeable, cheerful, toning
music. Rather, it will be better to start with some melancholic music. Or
someone who suffers from fear should not listen at the beginning, for
example, to Beethoven's 7th Symphony, which is very cheerful, spreading
confidence and optimism. For such a person it would be more appropriate
one of Bach's compositions.
The first requirement would be, therefore, to intuitively feel and plug in the
right music on the frequency of the person being treated. In this case it is
required to choose songs that reflect his state of mind as well as possible.
This will create through resonance a certain bridge between the individual
and the respective therapeutic method used (in our case MUSIC). Only
afterwards we will be able to switch, little by little, to some music that will
inspire the patient with more confidence. The whole process should take
place gradually and the stages will follow prudently, in small steps. Never
create the impression of sudden shocks or changes.
Music is able to transform your being

The use of the knowledge of music therapy can provide great benefits to
modern man. Their intelligent practice will allow the individual to maintain
perfect control upon his state of mind and even, in advanced stages, through
perseverance, to make him more harmonious. Nowadays, people are
distracted by different problems and temptations, facing a huge amalgam of
mental and emotional experiences. In such cases, they can be helped and
effectively rebalanced with the help of appropriate music.
Everything is subject to the law of duality. Regarding music therapy we must
always take into account the complementary contrasts below:
Joy - Melancholy
Triumph - Sentimentality
Force - Gentleness
Greatness - Compassion
Indirectly, through music, elevated states of mind will be generated or
negative attitudes changed. So, above all, appropriate music for the emotion
and the inner present structure of the individuals soul will be used. If he has
feelings of sadness, then, for the beginning a series of songs that express
sadness and melancholy would be the best one. Thereafter, music marked by
more joy will be gradually introduced. It is good to know and to remember that
each transition in music therapy has to be made step by step and with care.
Music binds us to the deepest fibers of our being. And since every man is
marked by his own individuality, it is not mad to imagine that in the future, for
instance, appropriate personalized music for everyone will be able to be
prescribed, music which will fit like a glove on his inner feeling and structure.

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Sentimentalism:
BACH: Brandenburg Concertos no. 1 and no. 3
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 9, Part 3
DEBUSSY: Nocturnes
DIABELLI: Romance
RACHMANINOV: Concerto no. 2, Adagio, opus 27
SCHUMAN: Arabesc
CEAIKOVSCKI: Concerto no. 2 for violin, canzonet, opus 35
VIVALDI: The Four Seasons (especially "Winter")
Sadness:
BRAHMS: Concerto no. 2 for piano, the 3rd, opus 83
DEBUSSY: Moonlight
MAHLER: Symphony No. 4, Part 3
SAINT-SAENS: Carnival of animals
WAGNER: Overture Tanhauser
Music ragas (Indian): e.g. BHAIRAVA
Balance:
ALBINONI: Symphony concert no. 5, opus 2

BACH: Area
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto no. 5 in B flat Major, opus 73
DEBUSSY: Sacred and Profane Dances
GOUNOT: Religious for St. Cecilia
HOLST: Planets (Venus)
MOZART: Concerto for flute and harp no. 2, andante, K2999
Gentleness:
BEETHOVEN: Concerto no. 3 for piano, the 3rd, opus 37
DVORJAK: Bagatelle no. 3, opus 47
HAYDEN: Concerto for Cello in C, Part One
HOLST: The planets (Neptune)
MAHLER: Scenes from Alsace
MASSENET: Symphony no. 4, first part
Joy:
BEETHOVEN: Symphony no. 7, opus 92 , first part
BRUCH: Concerto no. 1 for violin, opus 26
HAYDN: Military symphony, no. 100, first part
MAHLER: Symphony no. 4, Part 2
RACHMANINOV: Symphony no. 2, Allegro molto, opus 27
CEAIKOVSCKI: Sleeping Beauty
Triumph:
BEETHOVEN: 5th Symphony
HOLST: Planets (Mars)
MASSENET: Scenes from Alsace 2, 4
RAVEL: Bolero
SIBELIUS: Finlandia
SMETANA: My Motherland II Vltava
PINK FLOYD: Atom Heart Mother
PAUL SIMON & GARFUNKEL: Bridge over troubled water
Vigor:
BACH: Brandenburg Concerto no. 2
DVORJAK: Concerto for Cello in and minors, the 3rd, opus 104
GOUNOT: Religious for St. Cecilia
STRAUSS: Death and the transfiguration, transfiguration
MAHALIA JACKSON: Abide With Me
Solemnity:

BERLIOZ: Harold in Italy, pilgrims procession

BRAHMS: Symphony No.1, German Requiem