Should Music be a Crutch?

 Justin Moses Vera

Mr. Jacob Oster

Speech (TRIV201)

November 1, 2018

Should Music be a Crutch?

Interestingly, many people consider music a crutch without knowing it, are you one of these individuals? There is no need to answer immediately, and there is also no need to fret if you are uncertain where you stand. Consider this…a crutch is “a support typically fitting under the armpit for use by the disabled in walking” (“Crutch”). Simply said, it is something that helps you around when you are unable to move forward on your own. Music has the same ‘use’, so to speak, because it helps many people get through things like depression, work, or boring activities. To illustrate, a person that has had multiple injuries, that has had various surgeries, who has heard doctors tell them countless times that they will never be able to walk again, that individual can be motivated by songs with energetic and inspirational lyrics to never give up. Many people’s lives have been saved due to inspirational, devotional, or just good music. Many great authors write with music, and a great number of students get through homework with music. There should not be discrimination for that, rather it should be supported. In fact, music is not what many consider it to be and lead to, instead it helps the individual in many ways, in that they can learn to create music or even just listen to it. 

First of all, music is not always what people may think. Parents will always be hesitant and reluctant to what their child is listening to. Though if you look back to the days of the King of Rock & Roll, Parents did not approve of his…hip gyrations. However in today’s eyes that would be tame in comparison to artists and music videos like those of: Marilyn Manson – (s) AINT, or NERD – Lap Dance, to mention a few. These are extreme examples of which is highly un-recommended to search. In cases such as those, a parent should be concerned with what their child is viewing and listening. However, there is something called ‘Pop Music’, what this is, is that basically, “Pop music is the genre of popular music that produces the most hits. A hit is a song that sells many copies, and the latest hits are listed every week on the charts” (“What is pop music?”). The definition seems as though the genre is harmless. However, this is one of the biggest genres that has caused much stereotypical views on other artists. Pop thrives on how much hits they get, and to emphasize sells many copies is a staple for these artists’ money hungry diets. To get the popularity needed artists will use repetitive choruses and appear everywhere so as to maximize exposure and due to the repetition, you might think you like the song when in reality it is just an earworm. Also the constant bombardment of songs via earphones and headphones is causing many young people to suddenly go deaf. “Loud sounds - including loud music - is bad for your hearing.  REALLY bad.  The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that 20% of teenagers have minor hearing loss and can't hear rustles, whispers, or raindrops” (Does Music Make You Deaf?). That is an alarming figure and one that should be taken into consideration when talking about ones exposure to music. However, there is something to also take into consideration…it can be avoided! Though the solution is not as drastic and is not achieved by distancing self from every melodious sound. Rather, moderation is key. “Listening to loud music for more than an hour a day can make you deaf, health experts said today. They also warned that audio devices should be played at no more than 60% volume” (Moor, “More than One Hour of Music a Day Could Make You Deaf”). What these experts are saying is not that music should be eradicated, instead it should be moderated. Also to the case and point brought forward with the graphic videos and the less than virtuous lyrics, simply the abstaining from it and listening to songs that are soothing or motivational. Slow rock songs have not only complex composing but also sophisticated lyrics that make the experience even more enjoyable. In that those matters have been dealt with, music is always advancing, and what better way to experience it than to be a part of it. 

Secondly, learning to create music may prove to be beneficial in that there are health and character benefits that come along with it. Look closely at the health benefits, there is an abundant amount of research that proves musical activity to be beneficial to both the human mind and body. Playing a musical instrument is a great form of cognitive exercise. If you’re looking for a fun hobby to promote general wellness and a great sense of self, you might want to consider giving those local piano lessons a try. The health benefits range from keeping your mind sharp, enhancing coordination, regulating mood, sharpening your reading skills, improving respiratory system, increasing listening skills, promoting sense of achievement, boosting concentration, reforming time management skills, and even helping treat Alzheimer’s. (Health Fitness Revolution, “Top 10 Health Benefits of Playing an Instrument • Health Fitness Revolution.”). The character of the individual benefits also. Not only because they are developing discipline and fortifying their creativity, but also because they are participating in something that seems to be in the nature of man. A question that some have considered is one that asks “Do all cultures have music?” There was actually a fascinating exchange on the radio program "All in the Mind" which asked a related question: Is music the universal language? You can read the full transcript yourself at your leisure, but here is an excerpt that contains the relevant information:

“Catherine Falk: The only one I can think of is a group of people in western Africa, people called the Ick [sic], people who have been so completely decimated, where social life and being human had become so very difficult for them, that in fact norms of human behavior went out the window and music certainly did. But I think every culture on the planet has a form of communication that we would call musical.” (“Is Music the Universal Language?”)

It's worth mentioning, however, that the Ick people most likely did, at some point, have a musical heritage and tradition. However, after generations of famine and collective hardship, much of their culture and traditions appears to have been lost in the daily scramble for sheer survival. This sad example is one that we can use to study much about cultures. To illustrate, a culture with a complex music system, probably comes from a society that enjoyed much peace and prosperity that allowed it to flourish and advance in things for pleasure. Yet, perhaps you are not looking for such a deep connection with music, what do you do? Excellent question, and one that you will now find the answer to…

Third, just listening to music can prove beneficial both in health and character. If you’re looking for an easy way to transform your mood, cue the music. It is so helpful that in studies conducted, music can boost your mood and fend off depression, it can also improve blood flow in ways similar to statins, lower your levels of stress-related hormones like cortisol and ease pain. Listening to music before an operation can even improve post-surgery outcomes. How is it that music can do so much good? Music seems to “selectively activate” neurochemical systems and brain structures associated with positive mood, emotion regulation, attention and memory in ways that promote beneficial changes, says Kim Innes, a professor of epidemiology at West Virginia University’s School of Public Health.

“Innes coauthored a 2016 study that found music-listening could boost mood and well-being and improve stress-related measures in older adults suffering from cognitive decline. Her study compared the benefits of music to those of meditation—a practice in vogue for its mental-health perks. She found that both practices were linked to significant improvements in mood and sleep quality. “Both meditation and music listening are potentially powerful tools for improving overall health and well-being,” Innes says. If the idea of listening to music seems a lot more practicable to you than meditating, these findings are great news” (Heid, “Is Listening to Music Good for Your Health?”).

In addition, the benefits extend to the individual’s character as well, it all depends on how the individual wants to feel, and that feeling is only a flip of the switch away. In fact, “Music that makes you feel good increases your heart and breathing rates and makes your brain release dopamine, a neurotransmitter. Plus it will more than likely give you the mood boost you're looking for” (“What Are the Benefits of Listening to Music?). 

In summary, music is not always what people may think, just listening to music can prove beneficial, learning to create music may prove to be even more beneficial in that there are health and character benefits that come along with it.

Therefore, do not feel hesitant to consider music your crutch, it is only a temporary support and is a useful aid. Remember the person that has had multiple injuries, that has had various surgeries, who has heard doctors tell him countless times that he will never be able to walk again, that individual is me. I have been in countless soccer related injuries, one of the most serious being when I dislocated a spinal disc. I was told that I would not be able to walk ever again, and I was told that if I did walk, it would be excruciatingly painful, and to this day it is. However, music in my case has been a crutch because I use it to constantly drown out the physical pain. I know for a fact that music is not what many consider it to be and lead to, it helps individuals in many ways, in that they can live better lives. So I ask now…do you think music should be a crutch, or is music what is keeping society back? Answer in your own time, for now, I depart with these words…Love music, it is not necessary for life, but it is for humanity. 

Works Cited

“Crutch.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crutch.

“Does Music Make You Deaf? Music Part I.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thinking-about-kids/201112/does-music-make-you-deaf-music-part-i.

Health Fitness Revolution. “Top 10 Health Benefits of Playing an Instrument • Health Fitness Revolution.” Health Fitness Revolution, 24 Aug. 2018, www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-playing-instrument/.

Heid, Markham. “Is Listening to Music Good For Your Health?” Time, Time, 26 Apr. 2018, time.com/5254381/listening-to-music-health-benefits/.

“Is Music the Universal Language?” Radio National, 13 May 2007, www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/is-music-the-universal-language/3250958#transcript.

Moore, Tara. “More than One Hour of Music a Day Could Make You Deaf.” Mirror, 1 Mar. 2015, www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/music-health-warning-listening-more-5244982.

“What Are the Benefits of Listening to Music? | Wellness.” Sharecare, www.sharecare.com/health/wellness-healthy-living/what-benefits-listening-music.

“What Is Pop Music?” EnglishClub - The World's Premier FREE Website for Learners and Teachers of English, www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/music-pop.htm.