People usually think that music is just a sequence of order sounds and silences. Nevertheless, it provokes emotional reactions in human beings, from depression to ecstasy. Moreover, music is good for us in a mental way. It makes us enjoy pleasant times, remember facts about the past and feel different emotions in songs. But do you know how music affects our brain?
To begin with, we must know that music is interpreted in our body by the brain. This organ separates music into its different elements (rhythm, tone and lyrics) and each of these elements is interpreted by different parts of the brain.
Once you have interpreted it, it begins to have effects on you. Music doesn't only have instantaneous effects, it also has long-term effects. It has been demonstrated for example, that the brain of a musician develops a different structure than the brain of a person who usually doesn't hear music.
There are a lot of studies which talk about music and what it produces in our brain. These studies show really interesting facts. One of those facts is that the people who have listened to music since their childhood have better language skills, are more creative and happy.
Listening to music helps lower anxiety levels, decreases pain and makes people more optimistic. The experts say that the field of music therapy helps a lot to elder people. This field formally debuted in 1950.
Recently, researches have focused on how music can benefit those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Anecdotal tests demonstrate that music can make people re-live memories and reduce anxiety, pain, cardiac frequency and arterial pressure. It can help accelerate the process of treatment, stimulate learning, improve neurological disorders and increase social interaction.
However, the researches about music and its effects are in their infancy. This has just begun. Experts will continue their investigations. But we can all agree that music is good for us in many ways, so, while the experts investigate, why don´t we hear some music?
Lot of people talk about Eurovision: some of them talk badly about it because they think the decisions are all based o politics; and some of them well because they love every song contestants sing. However, most of these people don’t know its origins.
Eurovision was an idea initially taken by Marzel Bezençon, who wanted to represent the idea of an Italian festival (Festival di San Remo). He wanted to unify European countries by means of songs. Finally, he got it the first time in 1956, with only 7 countries, but every country sang 2 songs each, one extraordinary case in this festival.
From that year on, lots of countries have participated. Even, from African countries like Morocco. In the first decades, until the 80’s, there were already 20, although some countries decided not to participate anymore. However, the countries involved increased.
In 1992, Yugoslavia was divided, so this led to many countries whose aim was to continue participating. The quantity in 2000 was 24 countries, but it nearly doubled, and this year, they are 43 countries.
Eurovision has been done in lots of places. Mainly, in the ones in which the winner comes from. For example, this year, Eurovision is going to be done in Stockholm because Sweden won last year with Heroes and Mans Zelmerlow.
Spain has been participating since 1961. We have won only twice, in two consecutive years, 1968 with “La, la, la” and Massiel; and “Vivo Cantando” (I live singing) with Salomé. On the other hand, we have been in last place for four times. Spain, also, is part of the countries which passes directly to the finals, because it forms part of the “Big 5”.
This year, our performer will be Barei. He was chosen among 6 contestants: Barei, Salvador Beltran, Maria Isabel, Xuso Jones, Maverick and Electric Nana. Will he be a favorite this year?
Listening to music helps lower anxiety levels, decreases pain and makes people more optimistic. The experts say that the field of music therapy helps a lot to elder people. This field formally debuted in 1950.
