The Power of Sound
by Steve Rees, Ret. RN, Harpist
One of the benefits of my website and YouTube channel is that I receive many suggestions from those who listen to my music and read my material. Recently, I was guided to an article published in Forbes Magazine that dealt with some discoveries of how sound affects our various body functions. The author is Michael Plitkins, co-founder and CTO of Spatial. Spatial's virtual soundscapes have been redefining human experience since its founding in 2017. The article appeared on December 21, 2022, at:
"Sound has the power to move us. Whether it be a single listener or hundreds all at once, studies have shown that sound can stir human emotions and elicit specific reactions. Composers, engineers, and sound designers have been discovering and implementing core principles of sound for years, knowing their effect on the mind, body, soul, and human behavior."
Based on my personal experience, I receive comments on my YouTube videos that reflect the emotions of my listeners. Many have shared that my music has brought them to tears, while others say it helps them unwind after a hectic day.
Recently, one listener mentioned that they often experience panic attacks, and my music has become their go-to resource to regain control over their situation. Additionally, a preschool teacher told me that she uses my music to help calm her students during their midday nap time. These examples clearly demonstrate the profound impact sound can have on human behavior.
"Major and minor chords elicit specific emotions. Think of those Halloween horror movie soundtracks that make you feel anxious about what's about to happen on screen. Meanwhile, specific sound frequencies have been found to demonstrate healing qualities that can settle the mind and the body. Certain rhythms, when repeated to the listener, can slow one's breathing and heart rate through the principles of entrainment."
When my wife and I started performing as "Harp and Story,” she would dramatically tell stories as I would play harp music in the background to match the mood of the story. We found that the words of the story were much more impactful when accompanied by the music than by the words themselves. Some people would tell us it was like watching a movie.
Just recently, I was invited to to the Pediatric ICU to play the harp for a young man who had a congenital heart defect. He was given all sorts of I.V. medications through control pumps, and he was on high-flow oxygen to maintain passable blood flow. His family was also there, and I played for about an hour. I don't claim that his heart condition immediately healed, but I can say that by the time I left, the whole atmosphere of that room had changed. There was hope in the air, reflected on the faces of the young man and his family. Sometimes, healing is more spiritual than physical.
"As sound technology advances, audio professionals are learning new core principles, using them to move us in entirely new ways. They're also applying these principles to help shape the future of wellness, healthcare, retail, and even the workplace."