A study published in The National Library of Medicine in 2020 found that dogs appeared calmed by classical music, and spent more time resting or lying down when the music was played.
Rock and heavy metal, however, were found to cause more barking and standing in the dogs. The study also used genres including pop and reggae.
Well, you don't need to be a part of something called the National Library of Medicine to know this.
When the kids were all at home, many years ago, we had a deal. They could listen to whatever they wanted when they were doing their chores in the house. I tolerated Backstreet Boys, Ace of Base, hard no to rap (though my kids weren't really into it then) and a variety of other who-can-remember songs. The loud music, thumping bass and bouncy lyrics kept them 'pumped' apparently. They worked their way through the list of chores and then, when the house was clean, rooms were tidy (well, as close to tidy as they could keep them) it was time to wind down and time for me to play my music.
So, I would play classical music. The kids tolerated it, or so they said, but I kind of think they didn't mind too much. But....the best part...it calmed them down. They would settle in, either read, or puzzle or play on the computer (limited times because of dial-up internet). More often retreat to their rooms. But the houses got quiet as Vivaldi worked his way through the Four Seasons, and Bach and Handel's music floated through the house.
It's been a long time that I've had kids at home. But, when were visiting our B.C. 'kids' at the beginning of January, we spent a few days in a lovely cabin on a ski hill owned by friend of theirs. The owner was the one in charge of the music playlist at night as we puzzled and visited and he pulled out songs that I listened to when I was younger. It was incredible how the music, the lyrics, pulled me back to my high school years. The emotions were so easily reconstructed as we listened to Jim Croce, Creedence Clearwater Revival, ABBA, Fleetwood Mac and on and on. It was a magical trip back into another part of my life.
These days I play music when I'm writing. Not songs with lyrics because that's too distracting for me. I have a writing playlist that creates moods and encourages me to keep writing.
I love singing in church. Often the songs move me as much as the preaching (Sorry Pastor Art) if not more. I've sung with tears rolling down my cheeks, swallowing sorrow. Sung with joy and happiness. Sung songs that, again, bring me back to other times in my life.
Leo Tolstoy says - "Music is the shorthand of emotion," which is a wonderful way to look at it. That music played in a cozy cabin tucked into snow covered spruce trees, brought up many emotions too complex to compress into words.
What about you? What does music mean to you? What are some of your favourite songs? Favourite kind of music.

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