Music And Music: Spirit, Soul, And Body

"On those nights that I missed him most I listened to music" (Alexie 3086). Woven throughout Sherman Alexie 's work, "Because My Father Always Said He Was the Only Indian Who Saw Jimi Hendrix Play ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at Woodstock,” is the theme of music. Its presence is a faint drumbeat of life, felt throughout the piece. It not only accompanies moments of sorrow, such as when the narrator listens to music while he is longing for his father, but encompasses every variation of emotion available to man, and because of its extraordinary influence on the characters, it takes on human qualities. Through music 's multidimensional effect on characters and its personification, Alexie highlights music’s everyday influence in life, suggesting that it is inescapable and necessary to the human experience.

Music could touch our emotions like it could calm us, excite us sadden us, soothe us.

Billy Joel once said, “I think music in itself is healing. It 's an explosive expression of humanity. It 's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we 're from, everyone loves music.” In many ways this quote is very accurate both socially and scientifically. Music is a vital part of almost every culture and serves many purposes culturally as a means of self expression and communication within a culture and the world at large. While music does serve several external purposes, perhaps its most important and fascinating functions happen within the brain when its making or listening to music. Over the years there have been countless studies on music 's effect on the human brain and body and many have concluded that music positively affects the brain by doing things like relieving stress and improving cognitive function, and the body as well, by relieving pain and muscular and cardio vascular tension. Music is an important part of the human experience and affects our brain, bodies and emotions in both abstract and physical ways, making it vital to many facets our well being.

Music is an extremely important part of human life and has been part of human life for thousands of years. Music can be linked with many different art forms such as art and language; these too are distinct expressions of humans. This particular expression has survived and outlived ancient languages and could possibly be older than any form of language we know. It also serves the same purpose as language, to convey meaning. Music is a way of bringing people together, and is used as a social ritual. In human life music is part of culture and it is also important historically. Music also contributes to the economy, as it is a means of making money as well as part of human leisure.

From the beginning of times, music has played an important role in everyone’s life. At first, it started with drum-based and percussion instruments made out of what was available as rocks and sticks. Our ancestors proved that human beings have an innate need of music. Nowadays, no one teaches a baby to follow the beat of a song, he just naturally lets his body get involved with the rhythm. Since the prehistoric era to Christian times, several forms of music have developed leaving a trail to new genres of music. For Christianity, hymns and plainchants were the first forms of music considered as a worship to God. As time passed by, Christian music has evolved giving way to new and fresh sounds.

To participate in worship, a person must have a relationship with God. In other words, how can a person worship someone he/she does not know or experienced. To obtain that link an individual must become a part of the body of Christ by accepting Jesus as their personal Savior and surrender their will for God's will and plans for their life. They must also have had an encounter with God as Saul on the Damascus road and David with his many issues. However, music has a multipurpose, it drives away evil spirits, calms the mind, and drives a person toward the love and warmth of Christ.

Music helps us remember events and feel emotions - whether we want to or not. This phenomenon has changed the way we experience and remember songs. Humans have associated certain music with events and emotions for as long as we had the capability to (Baumgartner 316), so listening to these familiar sounds brings forth the memories that come with

While many people would easily agree that music is an art form that comes from the emotional complexity and passions of human beings, Aristotle’s truth that “music that rouses ignoble passions distorts a person's character” is debatable. The claim that “the wrong kind of music makes the wrong kind of person, and the right kind tends to make the right kind of person” is a paradoxical statement that changes meaning and credibility depending on the reader’s perspective. While morality has been an integral part of religious music throughout history, there is no direct correlation that a person’s listening choices reflect their personal belief structures or that the mental health or character of the listener is defined by their choice of music

Some argue that music is special due to its status as a universal language. Their argument is indeed rather convincing: there is not a single known culture that does not have some form of music as part of its cultural identity. As a vocalist, who is capable of juxtaposing music with text, this communication-based argument holds even more significance. Perhaps the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic aspects of music add extra dimensions to the realm of oral communication that either work in harmony (pun intended) with the text or even as a standalone component that may or may not imply an underlying textual message. However, I find this literary and cultural interpretation of the meaning of music and its importance to be, at the very least, incomplete. If I appreciate music due to its communicative powers, then why do I prefer singing over simply talking? Singing is harder than simply reciting a passage. Why would I be happy to take the burden of adding additional dimensions to my oral communication? What is so innately special about the added dimensions

In Vodou and Santeria, music plays an important role. Mostly, music is used as a mean of communication with different deities during ritual ceremonies. As the textbook specified it, each deity has his specific music that incorporates dance, action and gesture that express his character. Each deity being associated with a particular drumming pattern and song, the performance of that music will regulate possession or the trance state. In Santeria, it more question of style of the music that accompanies the ritual.

In this video, Ben Stuart discusses Psalm 1; he touches on a few different aspects of spirituality, using metaphors, stories, and examples to aid him in getting his point across. To begin the presentation, he brings up music: how it is a powerful force, how it can cause individuals to think, and how it is able to invoke emotion. He continues on, claiming that music is the “most natural medium to give expression to even the most profound human emotions”. After explaining why the book of Psalm is written as music--it allows us to properly display and share our feelings with God--he discusses that music is influential to our thoughts, therefore shaping what we care about, furthermore affecting what we chase. He later directly addresses Psalm

A majority of the major artists incorporated both secular and sacred music as a part of their repertoire, most notably Ray Charles. When reading articles on how to “properly” play the Hammond B-3 while conducting a church service, it feels as if you are reading a law book full of every mandate that you shall not disobey. Orville Foster elevates the importance in the selection of accompaniment in that the music glorifies prayer and, if done in poor taste can “obliterate the thought and the meaning of the prayer itself . In order that one may feel the sentiments of the music and its’ relation to God through the facilitation of the music, one must “weave a rich tapestry of multicolored chord progressions, always soft and never obtrusive.” This

Beyond the actual sound of songs, lyrics can be just as important. Sometimes, I think lyrics will impact me even more than the music itself. Just a couple weeks ago, I found myself using song lyrics in an essay I was writing in history about the French Revolution. I doubt that’s what the artist was aiming for, but that shows just how much music is a part of my

There exists a plethora of religions around the world that each have their own various sects, beliefs and sacred traditions. Nevertheless, most to all of these religions retain the same ideas of the existence of higher beings that are omnipotent and omniscient. In order to worship these higher beings, people that belong to a certain religion participate in rituals, religious holidays or perform traditional music that belongs to that religion. Music has the power to control the emotions and thoughts of its listeners. Furthermore, religious music is able to initiate or deepen the spiritual connection between the listener, performer, and the higher being regardless of sect. Can different genres of music that belong to various religions share similar musical or spiritual elements? Three songs that are of distinct genres and religions indeed share the theological concepts of putting all of one’s faith and trust in a higher being, while seeking that entity for strength and refuge.

That's a huge spiritual, physical, and emotional win and that's the goal of music, to make us feel. This music makes us feel the holy spirit. This music is the most powerful music ever because I can be truly life-changing.