Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Music ? overtaking laughter as best medicine? A heartwarming study ...

Feb 14, 2004 3:36AM PST

especially for young babies who don't have the capability yet to receive or react to visual stimuli:

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2003/s804432.htm

Of course, I always found that my offspring was calmer when I Didn't sing lullabies, or, as my son said to me "Mum, name 5 people who like your singing. No, name One person." Sad Having said that, he always liked "Feed the birds" from Mary Poppins (well, provided I kept dropping down an octave or so, cos not many folks have Julie's range).

I truly hope their findings are thought to be good enough overall for music to be introduced widely if successful. There are reports floating around about how much kiddies and older folks have benefited unexpectedly disproportionately from the introduction of animal (usually dog) companions, but this is the first time I've come across this phenomenon.

Regards
Mo


Regards
Mo

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
I still prefer laughter as a quick dose of medicine. But for long term ...
Feb 14, 2004 6:26PM PST

.
I'm sure music can't be beat. Depends a lot on the music though. There is some that would rub my nerves raw. When my grandson was an infant my daughter kept a radio tuned to classical music under his crib. Poor little guy was born with some problems, an infection and fluid on his lungs, and was in ICC for three weeks after birth. He needed all the TLC he could get when he got home. He is now 17 years old, in perfect health and very musical and artistic.

- Collapse -
If I remember correctly, all the studies of music and preborn and small babies
Feb 14, 2004 11:52PM PST

praise classical music.

Supposely such exposure improves everything from artistic aptitude to mathmatical ability.

Sadly they don't recognize any benefit from rock and roll. Maybe they're all just prejudiced against it.Wink

Seriously, there have been studies that classical exposure (in the since of Mozart, Beethovan, etc) do favorably affect the later development when the fetus and small babies are exposed.

roger

- Collapse -
Re:If I remember correctly, all the studies of music and preborn and small babies
Feb 15, 2004 12:16AM PST

Along this line:

1) We were told that children were happier (not necessarily healthier or brighter) once born when they again heard the theme tune of the soap programme that their mum watched. Meaning two things, (1) that even within the womb they can recognise (brain accomodate?) music and (2) that they were possibly happier because that is when mum sat down to watch TV and was therefore at her least stressful after the day's work.

2) Absolutely true about classical music IMO, perhaps because it is so accurate in the correct relationship of notes in the mathematical sense.

I used to have two options when the babe was too small to do Anything and became restless whilst I was cooking- one was to "blow the mobile", meaning that a baby mobile hanging in the centre of the room can be caused to move from 10 feet away by repeated soft blows (rather than going up and physically moving it), and two, was to "hit the Vivaldi button - like fast". His Four Seasons is a good one, but not his only one.

But to get back on track, if classical music is better, do you have any ideas (or comments on mathematical accuracy) as to why that might be - since for the most part, people generally listen to popular music on a day to day basis?

Regards
Mo

- Collapse -
(NT)Sorry, but I just recall reading it in the past, not up to day on reasons or new facts
Feb 15, 2004 12:26AM PST

.

- Collapse -
Re:Re:If I remember correctly, all the studies of music and preborn and small babies
Feb 15, 2004 12:29AM PST
But to get back on track, if classical music is better, do you have any ideas (or comments on mathematical accuracy) as to why that might be - since for the most part, people generally listen to popular music on a day to day basis?

Hi Mo,

Well, my guess would be that babies/youngsters tend to be giant bundles of energy ... classical music is calming. Seems infants yearn for/respond to calming things. Which is not to say they don't enjoy stimulation but they probably get enough of that from people making silly faces at them all day long Wink As we grow up we seem to switch to seeking out stimulating activities. Pop music goves a quick lift/makes us feel good. Classical puts most of us to sleep!

Of course then us overhyped adults must revert to Yoga and Classical to unwind that which we wound up in the first place.

Evie Happy
- Collapse -
It's a funny thing ...
Feb 15, 2004 1:57AM PST

that before you become a parent, you always stand on your soap box and say that you will bring your children up differently from (enter your choice here).

There was a programme on the TV called Pob, being the main character, who didn't even speak words, rather more gobbledygook and I could not believe that they were feeding out this garbage to our children. OTOH the kiddiewinkie used to watch it from beginnning to end, transfixed, and was "tickled pink" (laughed a lot), so who knows? I think my soap box sank at that point.

OTOH (I must have at least three hands by now), I wouldn't mind watching a re-run to see if it does the same for me...

Regards
Mo

- Collapse -
Re: If I remember correctly, all the studies of music and preborn and small babies
Feb 15, 2004 5:59AM PST

Hi, Roger.

I also seem to recall some State Governor who wanted to provide classical music to new mothers at state expense based on such stiudies... It's been quite a while, and I don't have time to Google at the moment.

-- Dave K, Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!

- Collapse -
Define --- Music
Feb 14, 2004 11:48PM PST

When you say music, I can't help but picture the "Go-Bellers" thrashing away at the strings of amplified guitars and a "singer" yelling at the top of his/her lungs while maintaining a face that is indicative of certain constipation. The drummer is pounding away, not conscious of what song is being played.

Surely this will soothe a child.

..

- Collapse -
As regards drummers ...
Feb 15, 2004 12:31AM PST

I was brought up in the Ginger Baker / Cream era, and learned to appreciate that talent quite happily - i.e. an innate musical talent - meaning to know which drums out of the (what is it?) 20 at least drums to hit and which part of the skin to hit them etc.

However,if you can get your hands on a copy of Yanni at the Acropolis (1993), they did give the drummer a chance to show his skills, and you'll see what I mean. Yanni is a pianist, but was backed by a full orchestra and the video is also a very good reference for the siting of the instruments in relation to one another. OK that is more useful for older children but it is sufficiently impressive that if you can take a look at it, it would be worthwhile.

If there is a real concern for the babe, I guess that trial and error would be the best approach as there might well be differences according to what they are used to their parents listening to, given that they cannot express their own preferences at that age.

Is this what you meant by your post?

Regards
Mo

- Collapse -
No! (nt)
Feb 15, 2004 4:11AM PST

You missed the whole point.

..

- Collapse -
(NT) Didn't think it was ;) But the video is still worth a look. Regards, Mo
Feb 15, 2004 5:43AM PST

.

- Collapse -
Re:Music ? overtaking laughter as best medicine? A heartwarming study ...
Feb 15, 2004 12:58AM PST

Hi Mo,

This is interesting reading for me. I have found that I perform tasks very well with music (my music) in the back ground. I am also amazed at how music inspires my grandson. It makes sense to me that music could possibly aid in the healing process for some people.

I believe that certain kinds of music have the ability to make us feel good and be good. However, some music could be used as a torture device, too. Happy Barry Manilow? lol

mojo

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Music ? overtaking laughter as best medicine? A heartwarming study ...
Feb 15, 2004 1:04AM PST

or Bob Dylan or Celine Dion Happy

Evie Happy

- Collapse -
On the one hand ...
Feb 15, 2004 1:44AM PST

I agree on two counts - music in the background, and My music, and for me this is "soft jazz" (assuming I turn off the news channel and use ear plugs against some of my son's music (not that I don't like or object to it, but we are talking about relaxation here).

As regards Barry Manilow and speaking as a woman of course, he had a certain something, but what used to kill me was when during every concert that I ever saw, he would be playing the piano and then carry on singing and pick up the microphone and walk around the stage - the piano music still playing.

Thatlast bit makes me wonder whether music really does have the edge over laughter.

As an aside, we went out into the street with a clipboard to take a survey of who knew the third line to the song ... (because we'd forgotten it)...

"I'm busy doing nothing
Working the whole day through
...third line
I'm busy going going nowhere
Isn't it just a crime
I'm happy doing nothing
But I really don't have have the time"

I know the answer BTW. Think it was Flanders and Swann (sp?)

Just thought I'd throw that one in on the laughter side.

Regards
Mo

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Music ? overtaking laughter as best medicine? A heartwarming study ...
Feb 15, 2004 4:39AM PST

Something relaxing, re Barry

DE

- Collapse -
Re Barry ...
Feb 15, 2004 5:57AM PST

I only got a photo highlighting his nose - was there meant to be more on that site? He was known here for what we call "come to bed eyes" (can I say that?) which don't show up at all in the photo.

Then again he made his $ millions mainly from writing/singing love songs, that millions of people bought with their boyfriends or girlfriends in mind, so I guess he won't be too worried now.

Regards
Mo

- Collapse -
Re:Re Barry ...
Feb 15, 2004 8:06AM PST

Hi Mo,

You've never looked into a gunsight before, huh? Wink

Cindi

- Collapse -
Re Barry ...
Feb 15, 2004 10:10AM PST

Ah! (my picture wasn't that clear). But I think he has made his contribution to society and should be left in peace because they play his, and similar, music over here in places like doorways etc where they don't want kids collecting and it certainly works!

Regards
Mo

- Collapse -
LOL - NT
Feb 15, 2004 6:48AM PST

.