Tuning-In

Hutt News, Volume 6, Issue 16, 14 September 1938, Page 2

Tuning-In

THE MUSIO IN OTJB LIVtES Contributed by E;'X.A.

At approximately seven o'clock every morning in New Zealand, thousands, if not tens of thousands of radios are "Tuned-in" to awaken sleepers, or to enable those already awake to keep pace with the ever-fleeting minutes before the day's work begins— yet how much of the programme .provided arc listened to intelligentlyl, let alone * oujoyed-? it is only the indications of time that are wanted. Have you ever considered :the effect of this music on the* sub-Conscious, mind? That this music, and all other music does have an effect on. us, physically, emotionally and mentally is a fact recognised by all thinking! persons, but do we ever pause to consider whether -the effect is beneficial or otherwise'?

One of the latest developments in the medical world is the practise of curing nervous diseases by various types of jnusic—surely, then, it is reasonable to suggest that much of the music, or socalled music is directly or indirectly responsible for many of the nervous diseases that afflict such an appalling number of people in the same way as durgs and other materials can be both injurious and curative'!

We find that people are particular, sometimes almost to a fanatical degree, about the food tliev cat, the colours they wear, and the environment in which they live, yet when it comes to the sounds with which they allow themselves to be surrounded, very little thoug;ht is spared.

Much has been written condemning j "Jazz" and praising "Classical" ( music, and its performance, yet it is questionable whether those who uphold the one and decry the other have very much idea of their 'reason for so-doing beyond to fact that it stimulates or depresses their thoughts, .feelings and actions. Again, there are people who either like or dislike music by certain composers, either because of racial sentiment, or because of the association of ideas connected witeh that music the first time it was played in their hearing. What does music do to us? It stirs us into physical action —or reduces us to a condition of inertia; it makes us light-hearted —it makes us depressed; it makes us contemplative, or 'mentally alert and apt to be coldly critical, or iF makes usjeel romantic and sentimental; it makes us feel kindly and syinathetically disposed toward our fellows, or strong-willed, egotistical and desirous of over-ruling others. None of us can do other than admit that even a few bars of music can entirely change our mood and train of thought.

Consider the number of times we hear the same music or type of music with its effect upon us—not just a dozen of us, or a few hundred of us, but thousands of us—is it not going to effect the life and character of the nation? , Another thought occurs to the mind —could one small score of music affect the destiny of a nation? Statesmen and dictators are but human, and are as vulnerable to the effects of sound as the layman; these statesmen and dictators have the final word of administration in their land, and s 0 it depends on perhaps chance, perhaps their choice, whether a nation rises or falls in the eyes of the world.

In examining the works of some of the well-known composers, we can well understand how the various nations have developed certain of the traits that are credited to tliem. Handel's music,( according to Cyril Scott, the eminent English composer, was responsible for a great deal o.f the right religious behaviour of the Victorian era in England, in that whilst it uplifted the minds of the people it also tended to narrow or repress the wish for individual self-expression, hence, too, 'the drab furniture, and hangings, severe clothing aiul 'restricied manners.

Bach's music, on the contrary, was much played in Germany,, and by its very technical subtlty, developed in that race, an ability to ilisscct and examine everything about them with tlic result that their scientific researches were most successful. Mendelssohn's music is claimed to be responsible for the founding of many of the first benevolent and charitable societies in England because of the -sympathy it aroused in the hearts of its listeners. Who can help but- feel happy and light-hearted at the sound of his melodies? Or in that happiness restrain the wish to share the joy with others'? On the other hand, Beethoven's works inspired sympathy through the a.ppeal to the sorrowlul side of life and an innate urge in.'.m-n to eradicate the suffering. - -

iChopin, the poet musician, appeals to all that is refined and beautiful ifi. the nature, while Robert- Schumann let his fancy run riot in the musical sphere, to pleasing those who wore children •u heart, in the same way that Hans Anderson and others of the literary field have delighted the world with their fantasies. Other musicians of note have played equally powerful parts in influencing their hearers and students and it would be interesting to forsce the effect 'that the modern works will have on us in the future. It is a widely accepted fact that '-'Jazz" ot "Swing" arc definitely desstructive to the nervous system, as well as producing a false exhilaration to 'the brain, and consequently causing a general tiring of the muscles and tissues of the body through over-activity. Yet who of us can say that even as an old structure must - ■ be- -destroyed ■ before a new one is built, that these percussion bands and syncopated orgies of sound are but the. destroyers, preparing the way • for us to. appreciate a greater cycle of music than our present

civilisation has yet known? Having studied the effects of some of the sounds to which we subject ourselves, perhaps we will be satisfied at our choice, or decide 'to choose more wisely. Does music affect our health? As surely as it. does our minds, and feelings, but let us be tolerant of the music other people choose, even as we are tolerant of the food they eat, the colours they wear, and the kind of dwellings in which they wish to live, for just as in edibles "one man's meat is another man's poison,' 'and a man of Tefined nature and high intelligence will require food of the same calibre, (that is, fruits nuts, cereals), to keep himself well and be able to cope with the brainwork he would undoubtedly do to earn his livelihood, so another man, of muscular build, could possibly not apprceiate ; or even bear, the subtle action of a great deal of the music which stimulates that mind rather than the emotions or actions. 'It will be interesting to learn, from those who are seeking to cure disease by allaying- the irritating causes with music, just what is chosen for the various cases', for naturally, while one patient will require a quickening agent, another* "will require a soothing one, or even as "the chemist Oif to-day prescribes various quantities of his elements, so will the music—thereputist "mix his music" to obtain order out of chaos in his patients' bodies. What sounds are you going to subject yourself to to-morrow morning? Do you caret