music = health

Our body consists to a large extent, probably around 60%, of liquid. This fact is more than advantageous when it comes to making something sounding physically perceptible to us, i.e. setting ourselves in vibration. Of course, we perceive most of it through our sensory organs, but we feel a not insignificant part of it. What we humans subsume under noise can make us ill in the long term. In the most positive sense, however, attractive and so-called beautiful sounds can promote our well-being in different ways. For the sake of completeness, it should of course be noted that this is a very wide-ranging field. Music is incredibly multifaceted and it is this richness that opens up an undreamt-of range of musical effects. One should therefore be open to every form and genre.

Music can be seen as a resource. As we understand it, it is inexhaustible and is waiting to be discovered and nurtured by us. This resource is an essential part of our system or, to put it another way, it is an important element of our holistic nature. The special thing about music is the mental space that it opens up within us and from which it also springs.

Light, for example, unites the elemental and the vibrational in a special way. We perceive things, see them, without seeing the light itself. It is a similar paradox with music. It consists of particles, of elements that we can write down, see and ultimately understand. Let's simply call these particles notes. We are therefore able to describe and explore music in detail. If we now set these parts in vibration or motion, another peculiarity of music is revealed that is beyond our control and which we can hardly characterize. This change of “aggregate state” requires an instrument. The most obvious choice for this is our body. We create rhythm by clapping our hands, melody by singing, humming, whistling and other ways of expressing ourselves. We are therefore perfectly suited to realize music, from the idea to the sound event. We are music!

I remember an evening when I was a student. We were discussing the basic mathematical elements in the “St. Matthew Passion”. The question then arose as to whether it would be possible to elicit a symphony by Beethoven from a computer by adding all the relevant parameters. This would only be logical, because music is a complex mathematical construct in terms of its systematics, i.e. its inner structure, and is therefore subject to logic. So the computer - today we would call it a “generative AI” - would probably have calculated the result quickly. And even if not immediately, it would be certain that after a probable number of attempts, Beethoven's “Pastorale”, for example, would be revealed. Quasi as a logical consequence of all the data provided. In principle, there was not much to oppose this view, as it was mathematically probable. In the meantime, this system would possibly create other wonderful works. Even then, however, there was one unknown factor that piqued our interest. Inspiration, that is, the ability of humans to relate musically necessary “elementary particles” that we create, discover or take from our environment. Consequently, the metamorphosis of these particles into music is an absolutely natural and necessary process that springs from an intrinsic motivation. Music is therefore a reflection of our inner and outer nature. It consists of constant basic laws and changeable forces. We accompany our entire lives with music. For the most part, this happens unconsciously and is not assigned to a specific purpose. Our perception is specialized in this way of creating and passing on information.

Beethoven suffered from worsening deafness. However, this did not stop him from composing. The process behind it, and this is extremely important, consists of two essential elements in my opinion. On the one hand, inspiration, i.e. the ability to be inspired, and on the other hand, the craft, i.e. the activity of writing down the inspiration or idea in notes and thus making it legible for an instrument. In Beethoven's case, the loss of hearing was not a major obstacle, at least as far as the craft of composing was concerned. His inspiration was unbroken and his musical expressiveness exuberant. To draw the line from Beethoven's inspiration to general aspects beneficial to our health is a little bold. Let me add one last element to this argument and try to complete the picture. Of course, one of the great classical composers is not necessarily a universally valid example, but certain conclusions can be drawn from his fate that have long been empirically verifiable today.

Composing is inextricably linked to inspiration. The stringing together of notes, harmonies and rhythms, the invention of individual formulas and equations that can be found in the musical notation would be the mathematical component. This would be preceded by inspiration, i.e. the idea or the metaphysical, which can be found in this world and in our lives. So are we surrounded by music and only have to grasp it and make it visible? Or are we exclusively creators who invent and develop music that arises within us? It is probably a combination of both, which we unconsciously weigh differently all the time. This aspect should definitely arouse our interest. Just as paradoxically as the simultaneity of wave and particle in light, music combines two aspects, one of which can be explained and the other of which eludes our understanding. It is not only the perfomant, i.e. audible and perceptible part of music that has a positive effect, but also the inspiration, i.e. the engagement with ourselves and our environment. Music is therefore a key that gives us access to another level of our existence. This can be related to our self as well as to our environment and must be understood comprehensively. It is a universal form of expression whose creative process encompasses an incredible number of aspects of human life. This creative achievement is revealed to us at the latest when music is heard.

---

As far as the effect on us humans in general and in particular on our health and well-being is concerned, we are at the beginning of a path of knowledge. Newer and newer fields are opening up and ever more exciting areas of application are demanding therapists who are experienced and trained in the use of music. Similar to a familiar smell, which can store various facets of a particular memory for us, music enables us to store emotions, memories and states within us and access them when required. We assign music to events in our lives and link them together.

People with dementia, whose memories slowly diffuse and dissolve, remember the music of their youth. They can often still sing “their” songs and know the melody and lyrics. Music is playing an increasingly prominent role in the therapy and care of these people and is proving to be an effective aid. On the one hand to stop social impoverishment, i.e. to have a positive effect on the mind, and on the other hand to promote the brain's cognitive abilities. A piece of music is usually associated with a memory that can trigger many positive aspects. Singing together is probably the easiest way to do this. Music must be an essential part of retirement homes and similar facilities. Low-threshold access to such an offer would be desirable. Participants would be invited to actively join in or passively listen. This form of therapy can absolutely not be replaced by a sound carrier of any kind. In this setting, the musician or music therapist acts more like a tool to facilitate access. Communication and the resulting reaction to individuals or the group are immensely important and naturally require personal contact. Many people may miss out on exploring this area out of shyness or fear.Breaking down barriers or providing help and support requires an emphatic attitude, which you should have as a music therapist.

Singing has a particularly positive effect on our cardiovascular system, our breathing and our brain. I would particularly like to emphasize the physical aspects, such as improved lung function through optimized breathing activity, as well as a “normalization” of the pulse and strengthening of the cardiovascular system. Singing is also an effective way of improving quality of life in the long term in combination with other forms of therapy. Studies are still rather scarce, but it has been shown, for example, that singing also appears to have a positive effect on our immune system. Cortisol is reduced and general well-being is increased quickly and sustainably. In the course of my professional experience, I have found that techniques that promote the flow and position of the voice also help people whose speaking voice is “disturbed”. Sound breathing control and relieving overly involved elements of the vocal apparatus enable very good results. People often suffer from their “speaking voice”; hoarseness, lack of strength and pain are usually the result. In harmony with a specialist doctor, vocal training offers ways to get to know the vocal instrument and solve problems in the long term.

Deaf people who cannot perceive sounds at all or only to a limited extent have more and more opportunities to feel music and sounds. New stringed instruments that are built in such a way that you can lie or sit on them make it possible to perceive sounds physically. In combination with a lead dancer or conductor who visualizes the music, the result is a thoroughly remarkable and positive musical experience. In this area, too, we are only at the beginning and the successes we have already achieved clearly show the direction we need to take. The sense of sound and the perception of rhythms are not limited to hearing people.

These general examples are intended to illustrate what an essential element music should be in our lives. This is not about art music or music at a professional level. This is about a very personal journey of discovery, far removed from fashions and trends, not linked to success or failure. The so-called music industry has done nothing different with music than we can observe in other branches of industry. It removes something human and turns it into something artificial. Core elements are replaced and hollow phrases are subjected to continuous duplication. We are gradually losing access to this basic need that has been taken from us. Music is like exercise or healthy food, it should simply be part of us, naturally. Access to music in our societies has become negative. Parents who are ashamed to say that they are “unmusical” usually do not offer their children sufficient access. We are afraid of making music because we apply a set of rules to it that consists of right and wrong, of 0 and 1. And so it loses this wonderful healing power, this magic and this paradox and becomes just a track or a resource in a data stream, managed by analysts and an algorithm. It is not the machines or a programmed sequence that should make music, but we ourselves. We are currently degrading ourselves more and more into consumers who outsource what is actually beautiful, remarkable and, above all, demonstrably healing. The remarkable leadership of manifesting music should never just be an automated one. The development that is currently emerging requires a prudent approach to the technical means that are currently opening up.

Remember your favorite songs. Close your eyes when you hear beautiful music and let the particles and frequencies flood through you. Music is a basic need and a human right and we should not be so willing to outsource or even dismiss it. We must be aware that we carry a power within us that can enrich our lives immeasurably. From inspiration to composition to concert, music remains mysterious and captivating at the same time. However, music works best when we make it ourselves and that is ultimately what it is there for. Then it unfolds its truly healing effect.

Preview: I hope I have been able to arouse your interest. The next essay deals with the opportunities, but also the dangers of integrating generative A.I. in music.