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The Effects of Baroque MusicAre you a person who is easily distracted or finds it difficult to concentrate or learn? Here's

a suggestion... listen to baroque music as you work/study to maximize your learning and creative potential.

BACKGROUND: Baroque music is a particular kind of music written by composers of music in the 17th and 18th century only. Their music was composed using specific formulae passed down to them from the music guilds of ancient times. Some of these composers include Claudio Monteverdi, Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handel, Arcangelo Corelli, Tomaso Albinoni and Johann Sebastian Bach. Later, it was found that this particular kind of music brings about vast changes in a person’s cognitive and physical abilities. However, it was discovered that there are certain Baroque pieces which have the greatest effect. Those pieces having slow tempo beats of about 55-65 beats a minute in Baroque concertos are best suited for physiological changes. The instruments used often by Baroque composers to achieve this soothing sound include the violin, guitar, harpsichord and other string instruments.

AMAZING FACTS ABOUT BAROQUE MUSIC:

Baroque music pulses between 50 to 80 beats per minute. This stabilizes mental, physical and emotional rhythms to attain a state of deep concentration and focus in which large amounts of content information can be processed and learned.

Slower baroques, such as Bach, Handel, Vivaldi or Corelli, can create mentally stimulating environments for creativity and new innovations.

Help provide structure when played during activities that require organized thinking, e.g. writing reports or papers, planning art activities, or even planning a social event.  

At St. Luke's Hospital in Cleveland, patients who hear Baroque and high frequency music need lower dosages of painkillers.

People who listen to such music for a period of time make do with less sleep, because they now have a much deeper and concentrated sleep, since the mind and body are continuously being recharged through the music.

Subjects were able to study much more efficiently, learn graphic skills in less than half the actual time required, were able to drive through traffic with less tension, and even cut down on alcohol and cigarettes drastically since their stress levels reduced.

86 % of students surveyed enjoyed class more with baroque background music whereas 76 % of students without any music found the class enjoyable

33 % of students found math challenging whereas 46 % in the class without the baroque music found it challenging.

THE PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES TO OCCUR AFTER LISTENING TO BAROQUE MUSIC:

1) Lowering of blood pressure and slowing of heartbeat.2) An EEG monitor displays changes even in your brain waves. The fast, beta waves gradually decrease by about 6%, while the alpha waves of relaxation increase by about 6%.3) Synchronization between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Synchronization of the right and left brain hemispheres stimulates increased productivity of the brain.

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4) Provides a calm state, which causes the body to function more efficiently on less energy. This causes more energy to be available to your brain. People who have phenomenal memory retention are also able to slow down their brainwave activity to the slower alpha level (7-13 cycles a second).

WHAT IS THE ALPHA STATE? Alpha brain waves originate from the occipital lobe of the brain during periods of relaxation. At this point the brainwaves run at about 8 to 12 cycles per seconds or hertz. As you relax you can move out of stressors that otherwise impede your creativity. Research has found that the ideal state for learning is when the brain is in a relaxed, but aware state. This is known as the alpha state, which can be achieved by listening to baroque music. This compares with the 'normal' state of 13-25 hertz which is called the beta state. The beta state is that of most of our waking moments as we go about our daily lives. At the other end of the spectrum we find, just below the alpha level, the theta state which is even slower than alpha, and an even deeper sense of relaxation. It is however more difficult to achieve, and really requires one to have the ability to meditate deeply.

Brainwave Cycles Per Second (CPS)

Brainwave Activity

1-4 cps deep sleep state

4-7 cps twilight zone - half awake and half asleep

8-12 cps relaxed alertness, reflection, calm, prepared

12-25 cps busy classroom activities, discussion

http://www.soundpiper.com/mln/emotion.htm

BAROQUE MUSIC AND THE BRAIN: Baroque music, with a 60 beats per minute beat pattern, activate the left and right brain. The simultaneous left and right brain action maximizes learning and retention of information. The information being studied activates the left brain while the music activates the right brain. It has been found that activities which engage both sides of the brain at the same time, causes the brain to be more capable of processing information.

BAROQUE MUSIC AND LEARNING: It was found that some baroque music might be used to enhance memory. Many researches and studies have been conducted to prove such as this idea. O’Donnell (1999) says that besides maximizing learning, simultaneous action of both left and right brain also assists people to keep new information gained. The brain will also have more capability to process the information. Many researchers also say that the music can strengthen students’ memory in classroom. Baroque music creates an atmosphere of focus that leads students into deep concentration in the alpha brain wave state. Learning vocabulary, memorizing facts or reading to this music is highly effective. On the other hand, energizing Mozart music assists in holding attention during sleepy times of day and helps students stay alert while reading or working on projects.

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Music helps us learn because it will: establish a positive learning state create a desired atmosphere build a sense of anticipation energize learning activities change brain wave states focus concentration increase attention improve memory facilitate a multisensory learning experience release tension enhance imagination align groups develop rapport provide inspiration and motivation add an element of fun accentuate theme-oriented units

RECOMMENDATIONS:*

Use Baroque music when a child is doing homework or studying for a test. While driving in the car. As background music at home Before going to sleep Do not combine Baroque music with other types of music

* Will see changes after 21 days of consistent use of baroque music. It is possible to see changes before, but 21 days is the ideal amount of time for optimal changes.

SUGGESTED BAROQUE PIECES TO USE: (Music period years 1650-1750)

Albinoni: - Adagio in G Minor for StringBach, J.S.: - Largo from Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor, BWV 1056, - Largo from Harpsichord Concerto in C Major, - BWV 975, Air for the G StringCorelli: - Largo from Concerto No.10 in F Major from Twelve Concerti Grossi, Op. 5Vivaldi: - Largo from Concerto in D Major for Guitar and Strings, - Largo from Concerto in C Major for Mandolin, Strings and Harpsichord, - Largo from "Winter" from The Four SeasonsPachelbel: - Canon in DHandel- music from years 1650-1750

RESOURCES:http://www.200words-a-day.com/alpha.htmlhttp://members.tripod.com/k_menezes/baroque.htmhttp://brainbasedbiz.blogspot.com/2007/04/baroque-music-helps-you-focus.htmlhttp://www.cerebromente.org.br/n15/mente/musica.htmlhttp://myenglish01.wordpress.com/2008/07/28/investigating-feasibility-and-acceptability-of-using-supermemory-music-in-reading-classroom/http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/arts/brewer.htm

Information compiled by:Griselle Shutz-Cabrera, OTR/L

Meredith Cooke, OTR/L