How Does Classical Music Affect Us?
In ancient China, one of music’s earliest purposes was for healing. It was believed that music had the power to heal the heart, enrich the mind, and harmonize a person’s soul. Hence the age-old saying: “Music before medicine.”
During the time of the Great Yellow Emperor (2698–2598 B.C.E.), people discovered the relationship between the pentatonic musical scale, the five elements, and the human body’s five internal and five sensory organs. During Confucius’s time, scholars used music’s calming properties to help improve and strengthen people’s character and conduct. The Chinese character for “medicine” (藥 yào) even stems from the character for “music” (樂, yuè). In the West today, scientific research has also validated music’s therapeutic ability to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, enhance concentration, stabilize heart rate, and more.
