Yesterday, we had an overview of the components of healing music.\u00a0 It’s always important to remember that what is healing to one person might actually be distasteful or anxiety provoking to another.\u00a0 Music is very personal so understanding the components and how they function within music can help you to choose the music you want to listen to more intentionally.<\/p>\n
Today we talk about “melody.”\u00a0 The simplest definition is probably “a tune, or series of notes, sung or played one at a time, that is memorable and pleasant.”\u00a0 Simple melodies that everyone probably knows include:<\/p>\n
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star<\/p>\n
Mary had a little lamb<\/p>\n
Happy Birthday to You<\/p>\n
Amazing Grace<\/p>\n
and so many more!<\/p>\n
Some melodies are more memorable and appealing to people than others, but if a piece of music is to be “healing” then you’ve got to like, enjoy, and react positively to the melody.\u00a0 But melodies can vary greatly!\u00a0 We can have simple “nursery rhyme” melodies or we can have complex, classical music melodies like Mozart’s or Mendelssohn’s melodies.\u00a0 These are often long and winding and are repeated with slight variations each time.<\/p>\n
Then there are the popular music medodies that so many people love and associate with “falling in love” and good times.\u00a0 Think of:<\/p>\n
Unchained Melody<\/p>\n
Wind Beneath My Wings<\/p>\n
Chariots of Fire<\/p>\n
Theme from “Rocky”<\/p>\n
Stairway to Heaven<\/p>\n
People who need people<\/p>\n
Of course these tunes represent my generation…people who came of age in the 60’s.\u00a0 Every generation has their favorites though and that’s been true for centuries.\u00a0 Think of your grandparents music and their grandparent’s music.<\/p>\n