The exact place and time that music was created are yet to be accurately established, but what scientists know for sure is that in today’s day and age, it is considered the most diverse art form in the world. The earliest instruments date back hundreds of thousands of years ago but acapella-based music was likely created long before that. Regardless of the grey area that the beginning of music has, researchers and scientists have studied the positive effects of music and the irrevocable way rhythm and beat have been sewn into daily life.
Growth Advantages
The human journey for some is accompanied by music while they are still in gestation. Expectant mothers expose their children to classic music other kinds of calming and stimulating sounds to enhance brain activity, develop higher IQs, and aid social development. This trend came about in the ’90s when scientists identified a relationship between high IQs and Mozart. The research is not infallible but it has shown that music increases overall brain activity. Toddlers and infants show have similar reactions to music. Increased brain activity, social and emotional development, as well as mood stabilisation, has all been reported for many years.
The influence that music has on the mind, emotions, and attitude of humans does not wane as aging occurs. Young children engage in group singing which leads to an understanding of social responsibility while older children develop preferences. Angry teens might listen to rock music that reduces the stress hormone, Cortisol, in the body, providing calm while young adults might be more prone to listen to “feel good” music. It appears that certain age groups prefer genres based on their emotions.
The Universal Motivator
Social media and technology have slowly grown to a position of dominance on a global scale. For those who are concerned about health and safety, there are YouTube channels and social media pages that aid people in their health journeys. These workouts are often accompanied by a certain genre of music due to the feelings of motivation that are evoked. Studies have shown that a specific beat-count and wavelength stimulates the regions of the brain that deal with motivation, perseverance, and feelings of accomplishment. For example, those who listen to music while taking a run will inevitably run faster or cover more distance over a period of time. Links between success, health and accomplishment are created between the act and the music that accompanies it.
This is not the only example of how music changes how people react to certain “stressful” situations. In the world of online gaming, the top-rated online pokies played today all have one thing in common. Not only have these games been designed to be visually appealing but auditory as well. While the act of taking chances might seem scary in theory, the practical experience is anything but. The music used in these slot games is usually linked to previous good feelings for players as well as keeping them feeling motivated, happy, and, most importantly, lucky.
Music in Marketing
Marketing and Advertising has become one of the biggest industries of the age. The advent of the internet and its increasing popularity has intensified the need for this industry, even on digital platforms. Techniques might have changed to adjust to the times but one thing remains: every good advertisement needs a theme song. While “jingles” might seem annoying after a while, the music created specifically for marketing purposes takes all of the research associated with how humans respond to sound and applies it to the marketing concept. Certain jingles have taken on a life of their own and have become synonymous with big brands whereas other brands might choose to enlist the help of artists and their current music to reach a specific target group. The musical accompaniment of an advertisement is not to be overlooked. It is one of the subconscious influencers that will determine who will buy a certain product, why it will be purchased, and can be indicative of age group, etc. further establishing a brand’s target group.
The humble beginnings of music might only be able to be guessed at but the evidence that can be seen today indicates that music improves the quality of life and will stand the test of time.
