1

Ally Fraser
Mr. Brady
ENG 4U
November 8, 2015
The Heartbeat of Music
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be
silent (Victor Hugo). A song can portray a wide variety of emotion; from despair to
frustration, songs convey emotion better than words themselves. Music is the greatest life
tool available to mankind. It is not simply notes played together to form a melody music
itself is alive. It is a living, powerful creature, which sings a song that comes from deep
within.
Music has been with me my entire life. Casually, calmly, walking by my side,
sometimes reaching to grab my hand and lead the way, others, following behind. I have
always loved music, since the ripe young age of only four years old when I took my first
piano lesson. I continued lessons for many years, and still I pursue piano to this date. But
not only until my early teenage years did I realize the impact that music had on my life.
Unconsciously, music had become an output for me, a friend to talk to whenever I needed
someone. My fingers whispered to the keys as they transformed my words into feelings.
My feelings danced to the music being played around me as my head sang along for it
knew the words all too well. I realized that I was on longer moving with the music; the
music was moving me. I had finally found a connection, that one soul mate I knew would
always be there. Music had become my companion, an outlet for my feelings, and I

2
became extremely thankful for it. Whenever I needed to calm down, cheer up, or relax
music was by my side helping me out.
As I grew up, I became closer with music. Music learned all of my secrets. My
piano heard all of my angry rants and felt all of my sad tears, yet also knew the sounds of
my laughter, the pleasant melody that harmonized its chords. I found how to love music
in different ways; not only did it sing to me through the piano, but it found its way into
my pocket, hiding on my phone until I was ready to listen. In the car, just a simple push
of a button away. Music became my best friend, always there to listen, always knowing
how to cheer me up. As my music lessons became more in depth I learned the history of
music from its earliest time, and the harmony as well, all of the traits that contribute to
the perfect song. I learned that not only does music help one to feel; it can also erase
feelings. Personally, when I feel as though I am drowning in constant waves of stress,
which is extremely overwhelming, I listen to music. The sweet, calming melody is
capable of showing me the way to the surface so I catch a breath of air. I recently learned
that I am not the only one to experience this companionship. Music is scientifically
proven to help the well being of the population in general. In fact, it is able to affect the
brain waves in a positive way. It slows the brain waves which results in a slower heart
rate and slower breathing, causing one to relax more. It even has the power to help with
some mental disorders, such as depression or anxiety. Music actually helps increase the
creativity and optimism levels (Complete Wellbeing, 2010). This happens in everyday
life; a certain song comes on the radio and I immediately smile and feel slightly better.
Music has all sorts of control over our bodies and how we feel. The right song can make

3
you want to get up and dance, encourage you to work out, calm you down, or put you
right to sleep.
Musics benefits go even further than emotional benefits. In fact, music is one of
the few activities that develops both the left and right side of the brain simultaneously
(Fun Music Company). The right side of the brain is non linear and more artistic whereas
the left side is linear and black and white (Williams). Both sides of the brain express
important traits and a well-rounded brain allows for increased intellectual capacity
(Yoon). Music is not only an artistic activity that allows for self-expression, it also has a
mathematic side to it. The theory behind music is very technical; picking apart chords,
intervals, and scales. The notes can be analyzed to no end; until they have simply become
ink stains on a page. But give them to a musician, and they will become the anthem of
life. Combine both of the skills; the interpreter and the translator; and you will become a
power that no one can face.
Beethoven is perfect example of a man who knew music better than he knew
himself. As he approached his death, he was deaf and nearly blind, nevertheless he
played. He knew music so well that he did not need to hear it to know how it sounded, he
could feel it. His anger and frustration ran through his veins engulfed him. However his
fingers still knew how to translate these emotions into something beautiful. Beethoven
was a powerhouse, full of exasperation, but he knew how to convert his anger into
something beautiful. Music allows anyone to make the bad good, or to make themselves
understood.
Music is a language and in it, we can find ourselves. Sometimes, I sit at the piano
and I just play. I play first and think later. After playing, I always feel better, I feel

4
relieved, like a weight has been removed from my shoulders. My fingers are a part of my
very being, they know how I am feeling and they know how to transform these feelings
into words, the words that consist of roots, stems, rests, triplets, runs, harmonies and
melodies. The words of music. Playing music is not only an activity; it is a conversation
that comes from deep within. It is alive; whether it is in the flutter of a dragonflys wings
or the powerful cry of a lion, music is a living, breathing being that sings a song for the
soul to hear.

5
Works Cited
CompWellbeing. "How Music Helps You De-stress - Complete Wellbeing." Complete
Wellbeing. N.p., 16 Sept. 2010. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
Fun Music "How Does Music Stimulate Left and Right Brain Function? Why Is This
Important? ? | Resources for Music Education." How Does Music Stimulate Left
and Right Brain Function? Why Is This Important? ? | Resources for Music
Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
"Victor Hugo Quote." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.