Taking Music Lesson To Reduce Stress
The findings, previously published in Heart, were based on various aspects of breathing and blood flow in 24 young men and women, taken before and while listening to short pieces of music.
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Each participant randomly listened to short songs of different types of music for 2 minutes, followed by the same song selection for 4 minutes. A two-minute break was randomly inserted into each of these sequences. Participants listened to raga (Indian classical music), Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (slow classical), rap (Red Hot Chilli Peppers), Vivaldi (fast classical), techno, and Anton Webern ("slow twelve-tone" music).
Faster music and more complex rhythms speed up breathing and circulation regardless of style, and fast classical music and techno have the same effect. However, the faster the music is played, the greater the degree of physiological arousal. Similarly, slower or more meditative music had the opposite effect, with raga music causing the greatest decrease in heart rate.
However, during the interval, all indicators of physiological arousal fell below those recorded before participants began listening to each song.
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Passive music listening initially induces different levels of arousal in proportion to tempo, the authors say, while calm is induced by slower tempos or pauses. Researchers believe it may be beneficial for heart disease and stroke.
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