Music

It’s music time

Music and cats under anaesthesia

There are lots of reasons why finding ways to decrease the amount of medication that is needed is positive. Reducing side effects is obviously important but there’s also resource use and social equity factors. If we need less medications it can decrease the energy and materials necessary to create those medications. Decreased amounts of drugs … Continue reading →

Let the music play: Music and anxiety

We are living in interesting times. With the threat of getting sick from Covid-19, which is enough to cause anxiety, we are also isolating and restricting our movements. I’ve noticed an upsurge on views on my post on exercise and mental health so I thought I would look into a related topic: music and anxiety. … Continue reading →

Jazz and classical musicians are different

I went to two concerts by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra this weekend. They both featured the symphony playing jazz music with professional jazz musicians. It was interesting to hear the symphony playing jazz style. No offence to any of the symphony musicians, who are all phenomenal, but it seemed like some of them struggled more … Continue reading →

The smells and sounds of Christmas

It always seems too early in the year when stores start playing Christmas music. I get it, they want to put you in the mood to buy and having a pleasant store environment is part of that encouragement. But, what I have never thought of is stores using the smells of Christmas to encourage spending, … Continue reading →

They just did what!?

I’m a long way from needing my hand amputated but I have certainly had some experiences over the past couple years that have made me realize how two handed and opposable thumb dependent out world is. From tying shoelaces to taking paper towels from the dispensers the world is built for two hands that function … Continue reading →

The physics of my clarinet

It’s funny how you can use something so frequently and never consider how it works. I have played clarinet, off and on, for many years and I have not once thought about how my instrument actually works. But suddenly I was struck with wanting to know. I admit I was somewhat surprised when I typed … Continue reading →

Musics activates the reward centre in your brain

I love music. I play music in a concert band and I listen to a lot of music. I also have pretty diverse tastes. There are just a few types that I really don’t enjoy. I wrote a post a while ago that focused on what your music tastes say about your personality; today I’m … Continue reading →

Music and my brain

Shuffle mode on my iPod creates some interesting juxtapositions where a comedy A Capella group may be followed by some hard rock  which is subsequently followed by some swing and jazz. So what is it about music that we can like some styles, and I like a lot of styles, and not enjoy others? So, picking … Continue reading →