The Powers of Music and the Mind

“Music is well said to be the speech of angels; in fact, nothing among the utterances allowed to man is felt to be so divine, it brings us near to the infinity.” – Thomas Carlyle

We live in a world full of noise. Noise is one of the curses of the modern age. Noise seems to increase as we progress and grow more civilized and harness more mechanical monsters to do our bidding.

Because of this and many other factors my own piano playing performances are geared to relax the listener. I was fortunate to start music at an early age of five. It was never forced on me but the interest stimulated my mind to explore it more. Listening to classical programs on the radio, as we have not yet that time experienced the onslaught of television as we have now, induced a kind of therapy of calmness. Playing the piano made me feel that I’m one with the universe and this has become therapeutically a saving grace when in turmoil or having a dispute of elements in one’s daily lives, and we all have that.

Intensive classical training taught me the art of nuances in a “cantabile” gentle fashion which is evident in the different styles of music interpretations on my CD recording. The repertoire chosen were themes that have played a significant role in my “life’s soundtrack” over the years. Their progression serves as a reminder that things change – life’s fortune waxes and wanes. It is in taking responsibility and initiating movement in your own life, that you ultimately find yourself composer, conductor and performer in your own magnificent production.  That, you can do as well. You as a person have a remarkable ability to accomplish, virtually in every situation, a suitable satisfying outcome.

The brain is constantly sending biochemical messages which initiate positive or negative stress. The challenge is to create positive, positive and more positive. It is universally recognized that music has a profound positive impact on our minds and emotions.

One of the reasons great singers, speakers, and actors have such an effect on their audiences is because people are listening so deeply to them. When we are focused on listening to that which moves us emotionally, breathing becomes deeper, muscles relax and endorphins flow into the bloodstream to produce contentment and serenity.

Music enhances the experience. George Gershwin said, “Music sets up certain vibrations which unquestionably results in a physical reaction. Eventually the proper vibration for every person will be found and utilized”

The ancient Greeks investigated the physics of sound and observed that harmonic law governed the movement of the planets. The seven-note scale which they discovered (and which is basically what we use today) was an expression of beautiful mathematical harmony. This same harmony was used by them to develop geometry, architecture, philosophy and aesthetics.

A stereogram (see attachment) may be considered an example of applied geometry and can become very intensive numerically. Stereograms are a form of non-computerized virtual reality – the human brain being the most incredible virtual – reality machine ever. All you have to do is learn a simple technique of relaxing the eye muscles and letting your focus shift. Once you learn how to do it, the effect is very calming. It is nothing more nor less than a unique tool for returning to the basics of sensual perception that are so important to us.

The combination of stereogram and gentle music creates a soothing, relaxing oasis in the rush and chaos of daily living – a means of recovering a sense of balance and wholeness. As you respond to the atmosphere intellectually, sensually and spiritually you experience a place of inner peace and tranquility – you are in the state of “here and now” everything is as it should be.

(The stereogram was designed by me in August 1999 as the cover for the CD booklet. The original title of the CD was “Jean-Paul Grimaldi-Lasserre at the Piano in 3D”   

My CD is available for purchase at Cavendish Square and also at Casa Labia where I perform regularly. The nature of the recording with elements of relaxation and calmness induced me to experiment with some of the sound tracks by creating DVD videos. The videos embrace the same state in synchronized movement and tranquility. These are also available for purchase.)

To reveal the image look at it divergently.