Sweet Music

By ALICE O’BRIEN Alice O’Brien Counselling, Newmarket

There was lots of foot tapping and head nodding on a recent trip to Cork Opera House to see Martin Hayes, the infamous fiddle player. A very enjoyable night was had listening to a genius in his field make sound out for what is essentially a polished wooden shape, a set of strings and a bow. The true sign of talent when the art being performed looks easy- almost as if anyone could do it. Tunes and stories were weaved together to hold the audience captive for a number of hours, with lots of smiling faces leaving afterwards, having experienced a most enjoyable night of sound.

And, that is what it was - sound. Noise, pleasant noise, but noise none the less. So how do we convert that sound into something that we know we like? And how come some sounds bring us to pleasant places and memories and other sounds can invoke trauma or sadness for us?

Music is very strongly linked to emotional regulation, as certain rhythms can activate our amygdala, which is the part of the brain that manages emotion. Also, music enhances moods, the lively upbeat songs bringing us joy and lifting our mood, slower songs causing a lowering of mood.

Music also reduces stress and enhances relaxation, calming, slow-tempo tunes can be received as a signal in the brain that all is well, as gentle rhythms can slow the heart rate, reduce blood pressure and ease muscle tension.

Of course, there is always the memory aspect of music. All it takes is your favourite eighties tune to come on and you’re right back on the dance floor of the Hiland - hopefully not for the slow set however. Another aspect of music’s benefits is connections, which of course we had plenty of when we were on the dance floor of the HIland many years before, but now we are connected to the memory.

So, never underestimate the power of a good tune, turn up the volume and dance and sing along, you will feel all the better for it.