Movie music, Music for children

The benefits of the player

Reduces stress The National Biotechnology Information Center has published a study on the effectiveness of music in reducing stress. The test consisted of placing volunteers in three groups. Prior to exposure to stressors, each group was exposed to a different stimulus. Group 1 – relaxing music, group 2 – water flow and group 3 – rest without sound. Their stress indicators were then measured. The study showed that those who listened to relaxing music before the stressor experienced significantly less cortisol (a stress hormone) than the other two groups. If you are like me and you find stress easy, cataloging

26th March 2021
Playing instruments, Pop music

Music and dementia: an overview

One of the most important forms of artistic expression is that music is embedded in culture and human identity. We have all been exposed to music in one way or another, whether we are listening to recordings, playing an instrument, going to concerts or dancing. It offers a unique emotional experience that gains personal and social significance in infinite ways. As a neurologist specializing in dementia, I have long wondered about the connection between music and memory and the relationship between music and knowledge. For example. Do people with dementia benefit from exposure to music? If so, what are these

26th March 2021
Playing instruments

The health benefits of listening to music

As the pressure on young people increases, it can be difficult to know how to help them meet the demands of modern life. But learning musical instruments has been shown to help mental health – along with physical health – by reducing stress, anxiety and depression. In fact, it has such a profound effect on mood that it can increase strength, emotions and happiness while reducing depression, stress, fatigue, anger and confusion. This is encouraging news considering that nearly 60 percent of children ages 11 to 19 have had mental health issues or are close to someone close, according to

26th March 2021
Classical music, Music for children, Rock music

Music improves the quality of sleep

Insomnia and other insomnia problems can ruin our lives. What if music could help? According to a study by Harmat, Takécs and Bédizs, 94 students with sleep disorders (aged 19–28) were taken to the laboratory. Participants were divided into three groups. The first group listened to classical music 45 minutes before going to bed for 3 weeks. Another group listened to the audiobook 3 weeks before going to bed. The control group did not receive any action. Sleep quality and depressive symptoms were measured by the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and the Beck Depression List, respectively. Score? Participants listening to

26th March 2021
jazz music

Music helps to heal

A study at Salzburg Hospital showed that patients who recovered after back surgery had a higher cure and reported less pain when music was integrated into the normal rehabilitation process. Music connects the automatic nervous system (brain function, blood pressure, and heart rate) and the limbic system (emotions and emotions). How musicology can help you When slow music is played, a physical reaction ensues – your heart rate slows and your blood pressure drops. This slows down breathing, which helps reduce tension in the neck, shoulders, abdomen and back. Regular listening to slow or soothing music can help our body

26th March 2021
Performance at the Chicago Opera
Classical music

The benefits of music

How musicology can help you Did you know that listening to music has many benefits? Stretch the songs and blow those rhythms because the results are inside – the music is good for you. We feel the healing power of music. Bad goodbye? Taylor Swift’s instructional “We’ll Never Come Back Together.” Long-term power? Enter Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” Music can soothe them with a broken heart, motivate runners, and start the most epic celebrations, but it also has serious scientific benefits for overall health and well-being. We listened to music to improve memory function, improve healing speed, improve training, and more.

26th March 2021
Baby music
Music for children

8 Steps to Teaching Your Child to Listen to Music and Love It

Many parents consider that it is enough to shove music down the throats of their children to get them to like it. The reasoning behind it is that as long as they (the parents) love it, the children should love it too, right? Or that classical music, although not a personal favorite of the parents, must be a favorite of the children because it helps develop the brain and makes them seem more intelligent in a social context. Do you see the error of these ways and do you know people who thought it was a good way to get

28th September 2017
Carlos Santana
Uncategorised

A Few Useful Notions Anyone Should Have about Latin Music

As you might have guessed, this article is aimed at praising the classical form of Latin music. It’s the one whose beats are inspiring the commercial Latin songs of today. And if you are among the people who used to bulk all South-American music in one place, here are just some of its most popular variations: Bachata, Bolero, Bossa Nova, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Flamenco, Tango, Mariachi, Mambo, Merengue, Salsa, Rumba, Reggaetón, Lambada, Samba and many more. You probably thought of these only as dances and completely lost sight of the fact that there is specific music for each of them. Know

26th September 2017
Record of the Star Wars Soundtrack
Movie music

The Magic of the Movie Soundtrack and Why It Is a NOT Separate Genre

Do you often find yourself humming the intro for Game of Thrones, or is the theme from Mission Impossible your go-to song for when you are feeling sneaky? Do you happen to pop some of those amazing movie soundtracks on the background when you are reading or doing housework? Then you too are a fan of soundtracks and treat them as a distinct genre. And you are not alone. A lot of people develop real passions for the music they hear in movies and even keep soundtrack albums on their phones to listen whenever they feel like it. So, with

25th September 2017
Adult and baby playing the piano
Playing instruments

Wondering Whether Junior Should Pick up an Instrument? Here Are 9 Good Reasons He Should!

Music is an important part of any person’s life. And it’s no wonder so many parents are trying to get their children to be open to the more productive and qualitative aspects of music. This being said, know that more and more people are interested in getting their little ones to learn to play an instrument starting at a very early age. If you are among the people who would have loved to master an instrument (not necessarily to become a musician, but to play music by yourself or with others), then you too must have heard the phrase “it’s

23rd September 2017
Home
9 Things that Will Turn You into an Opera Goer and Lover
Performance at the Chicago Opera
Opera music

9 Things that Will Turn You into an Opera Goer and Lover

By Maddox Donaldson On 21st September 2017 No Comments

There are people who go through life without ever going to an opera concert. And it is just a real pity. According to some pop culture myths, only evil psychopaths in movies and snobs in videoclips listen to opera. This is how whole generations grow up avoiding ever having such an experience, with the intention of steering clear of something their peers are sneering at. What is more, few can manage to get around that aura of smugness. The opera feels exclusive, expensive, and hard to understand.
On the other hand, there are the people who have actually tried going to the opera, who are neither murderous psychopaths, nor billionaires and exclusivists or college professors. These are ordinary people who have discovered the beauty of the sung word and the awesomeness of the opera stage. Here are the things to appreciate about opera and opera music.

9 WAYS OF GETTING INTO OPERA

1. Don’t think of this as a chore

Far from being an obligation, opera is an experience you must enjoy. It is not about being stuck in a chair for the duration of the concert, trying hard not to fall asleep, and failing to understand anything. Sure, this could happen if you pick for your very first experience something reserved for connoisseurs who really know how to listen. But if you are just getting started down this road, then go with the best-known and acclaimed shows. If your local opera company is known for their representation of Bizet’s Carmen, start with that. Make sure it is a full production with everything an amazing opera show needs: a great orchestra, amazing performers and a lot of interaction between them, costumes and stage props.

2. Read up on the story before going there

Scene from the Kunqu Opera

Scene from the Kunqu Opera

It’s ok, you don’t have to worry about spoilers. You will still enjoy the story simply by being there and you no longer need to worry about not getting all the words. They will mostly be in Italian or some foreign language and even speakers can sometimes have trouble getting everything. Also, there will be subtitles somewhere around the stage so you can follow the text as the story progresses. However, the best way to understand what is going on is to read the story before the show. Or, if you are afraid this can decrease your enthusiasm about the performance, keep the libretto (the text for the story performed on stage) close by and read through it as the story develops before you.

3. You could even start with a performance of some of the best

If you hear a very famous opera singer is announcing an amazing performance, then this show would be a very good place to start. Tickets might be more expensive, but you have the guarantee of a quality performance. In the end, if you do not enjoy this, you might not enjoy others either. But our best bet is that you will enjoy it.

4. Look for tickets online and keep an open schedule

As we already mentioned in this article, opera tickets can be expensive. But it is all worth the money. However, if you are still testing the ground and you are not willing to make a full investment, you could simply look for last minute ticket offers. Becoming an opera fan means having a costly hobby so you must prepare to do this if money is almost always tight for this type of shows.

5. Try to watch at home some of those memorable performances

We know it does not compare to the real thing, but watching some of the best performances from the comfort of your own home is not bad. You get an idea of what you can expect from a live performance and you get access to a show on one of the greatest stages of the world, one you might probably not get the chance to attend in real life.

6. Prepare to be amazed

The prestigious Paris Opera

The prestigious Paris Opera

Once you get to the opera, prepare to be amazed by the costumes and by the setting. Few theaters have the possibility to make such incredible productions. Few other types of shows will bring out armies of people on stage to sing and act at the same time. So how is this different from a musical? Usually, opera manages to keep you hooked and well connected to the emotions of the characters. By comparison, a musical will have actors act, then suddenly burst out into song. For some, this difference in delivering lines is confusing and annoying. The opera, on the other hand, is a constant tremolo and live emotion.

7. It’s not just music, it’s acting as well

Scene from the Barber of Seville

Scene from the Barber of Seville

To anyone who thinks they are in for a couple of hours when they must only watch some actors stand around and sing, know that this is a misconception. The opera singers are some of the best actors you will ever have the chance to see in a live performance and you will enjoy every second of it. Be it a tragedy or a comedy, you will be made to laugh and cry.

8. Music never sounds better than at an opera concert

All opera houses are built to help the voices of singers be heard without the help of anything else. The walls and everything else in the hall make the voices travel. In this context, you can only imagine how well you can hear every instrument.

9. Get ready for some ballet

Scene from Don Quixote

Scene from Don Quixote

Not to ruin your surprise, but some opera concerts include ballet moments. It will be a treat as you can only expect to see some of the best dancers on stage and you might even recognize some of the most popular pieces.

Opera has a lot to offer to anyone who is willing to look beyond the usual  myths around opera music. Yes, it is not for everyone, but once you discover it is for you, it will enrich your life considerably! And you don’t have to take our word for it. Just try it yourself!