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Music & Emotions//Opening My Library

If you’ve read any of my previous posts you know i looove music. I love to listen to it, write it, record it, watch it, hear about it, and i absolutely love everything guitars. So with this post I want to open it up to all of you as a library, allow me to explain.

1.) Tell me how you’re feeling/times you’re feeling a certain way

2.) Tell me how you WANT to feel, OR if you’d like music to help feel said feelings all the way through

3.) Tell me what kind of music you currently enjoy/listen to OR a genre of music you’d like to explore farther

Now these three steps (in a responding post below) would be applicable if you’re looking for my recommendations on music and how it affects our emotions, HOWEVER I have a very broad taste and relatively extensive knowledge on a lot of music genres and sub-genres so if you’re looking to explore one farther or ask music related questions I have no opposition to that either!

Now, allow me to speak more on Music and their relationship with our emotions. Music is an international language. It is spoken through all races, sexes, communities, ages, etc. In many cultures it is described as the “language of emotions”, that’s also why when we watch films, for example, music typically accompanies specific moments or scenes to give the viewer a better sense of the emotional atmosphere and let us know how we should be viewing what’s going on. The experience of “Music” has the power to evoke emotions that is absolutely incomparable to any other sense. When our brain processes music, it can be related to a “collage” of sorts. There are different sounds in a specific structure, in which when combined in said sequence, create a piece of art that seems to make sense to us compared to it’s singular sounds alone. Music is primarily rooted in the primitive part of the brain’s structures that are tied to emotion, motivation, and reward. The response that our brain’s have our almost unconscious in a way, and musical artists themselves have the ability to manipulate our emotions and expectations whether they realize what they’re doing or not. According to psychcentral.com, “More than any other stimulus, music has the ability to conjure up images and feelings that need not necessarily be directly reflected in memory.”. If you sit back and just read that sentence over a time or two again, it really truly is amazing how Music can draw pictures in our heads and evoke such strong emotion, and yet, those things MAY not even be related to any past memories or experiences, providing you with a whole new experience through nothing more than sound. Our own preference even on the kind of music we’d like to listen to at some time has an effect on its perceived experience to the listener.

“It could be this heightened level of experience in certain people and musicians that allows them to imagine and create music that others simply cannot, painting their very own sonic image.”. – Malini Mohana on “Music & How It Impacts Your Brain, Emotions”

SO, with all of this being said, I open this up to you, as I encourage you to ask for any of those beautiful experiences through music that I may be able to share with you.

The Power of Sharing Your Story Through Your Music

I recently came across this duo, which is professionally known as ‘Us Duo’. They make really meaningful and inspirational music and one of their most popular projects has to do with people sharing their stories.

I think many people may reflect on these songs and at some point hear apart of their stories, which is really the purpose behind these powerful messages. One, the stories are very relatable; the messages are very effective and the music is great.

1. I’m Me (Self and social acceptance)

2. One Last Dance – (Grieving From Loss)

3. Fighting For You (Escaping an abusive household and beginning the road to recovery)

4. Saudade (Loss, Sadness)

5. Follow Me (Overcoming insecurities and self-doubts)

My name is Sophie… (Mental Health Awareness)

My name is Sophie… Mental Health Awareness – Sophie shares her story in a very inspiring video as she brings awareness to the reality of mental illness.

Music Calms The Savage Beast

When I started writing this blog, it was in many ways directed towards personal therapy. What I don’t keep in a personal journal, I share on this post.

Writing has for many years given me an avenue to express my frustration and the opportunity to bring music in the mix, has availed me the joy of tapping into the benefits of both entities.

Anyone who uses music for therapy will tell you that it doesn’t always work (our individualized goals changes overtime), but when it does and to a great extent, its undeniably powerful.

Its ability to channel positive energy, ideas and emotions is still a mysterious phenomenon.

We bring our own uniqueness to the music we listen to and music offers us the courage we need to overcome the savage beast inside of us,

…That said, I’m not sure if anyone has gotten a chance to see the short documentary called National Parks Adventure but its a thriller and I strongly recommend it. Its about a group of friends visiting National Parks around the country on a hiking trip.

It has a decent soundtrack! Nothing beats watching a great film, liking the soundtrack, only to realize that its a composure of some of your favorite artists… Andy Grammar, Jason Mraz, James Bay.

I just want to share this magic that has been ‘nothing but therapy’.

Songs From the Film:

This Land Is Your Land” Performed by Bruce Springsteen

Back to the Earth” Performed by Jason Mraz

Whenever my head starts to hurt
Before it goes from bad to feeling worse
I turn off my phone
I get down low
And put my hands in the dirt

Annie’s Song” Performed by Scott Matthew

“You fill up my senses like a night in the forest,
like the mountains in springtime, like a walk in the rain,
like a storm in the desert, like a sleepy blue ocean.
You fill up my senses, come fill me again.”

Hallelujah” Performed by Jeff Buckley

In The Summertime” Performed by Mungo Jerry

“We’re not bad people, we’re not dirty, we’re not mean
We love everybody, but we do as we please
When the weather’s fine
We go fishing or go swimming in the sea
We’re always happy
Life’s for living, yeah, that’s our philosophy”

Back Home” Performed by Andy Grammer

Hold Back The River” Performed by James Bay

Flowers In Your Hair” Performed by Lumineers

Wherever is Your Heart” Performed by Brandi Carlile

“I think it’s time we found a way back home
You lose so many things you love as you grow
I missed the days when I was just a kid
My fear became my shadow, I swear it did”