The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music

Electroencephalographic (EEG) Measurements of Mindfulness-based Triarchic Body-pathway Relaxation Technique: A Pilot Study

“…The audiotape consisted of three taped segments of classical music: ''SpringAllegro'' by Vivaldi, ''Barcarolle'' from Tales of Hoffman by Offenbach, and ''Canon'' by Pachelbel. This selection of classical music was chosen as a comparison condition to the mindfulness practice due to its demonstrated effects on tension reduction (Allen and Blascovich 1994;Chafin et al 2004;Knight and Rickard 2001), decreased autonomic activity (Barnason et al 1995;Grey 2001), and reduced anxiety (Mornhinweg 1992;Scheufele 2000;Thayer 1996).…”

EEG Spectral Analysis of Relaxation Techniques

“…Empirically, music has been shown to be effective for changing a bad mood and reducing tension (Thayer, 1996) and lowering autonomic activity (Grey, 2001).…”

“…Because spectral analysis of the EEG is a reliable method for assessing the contribution of different brain activities over cortical areas across brain states (Canteros, Atienza, Stickgold, & Hobson, 2002), we used spectral analysis of EEG activity across all cortical regions to assess changes in CNS activity during RT after participants learned and practiced RT or a comparison condition regularly for 6 weeks. This study sought to determine whether RT produce greater acute CNS changes than music, a credible comparison condition that is commonly employed for relaxation purposes and that has been empirically demonstrated to improve relaxation (Grey, 2001). We hypothesized that RT would result in greater acute reductions in CNS arousal as a result of the more systematic mental and physical relaxation that characterizes RT.…”

The Mozart Effect

“…On still a broader scope Gray et al (52) have made the point that singing birds have the same rhythm, pitch permutations, and combinations of notes, in addition to a retention of melodies, as humans. Whales have similar phrases and sing over seven octaves with similar intervals, elaboration of themes, and repetition of refrains as humans.…”