The Brain's Reaction to Music

Everyone feels the power of music. A song is able to change the mood of an entire day. There is always a song to compliment the exact mood or feeling one is looking for. Many people will agree that most songs have a specific message or mood. If music is the cause of mood changes, then what else could music do? Can music affect our brains in more ways than emotions?

The answer is yes. Music is more powerful than anyone will ever understand. Music is a medicine without a doubt. The best part is the lack of side effects. Our brains create a chemical called dopamine when we are pleasured. This happens mainly with food and sex. The same thing happens for music, but there is an addition. Ten to fifteen seconds before the climax, dopamine is released in a completely different area of the brain due to a buildup. Music might not be able to provide a lasting effect like drugs, but it can definitely give you the same feeling for a few seconds with the right song. This is a big help to people who have anxiety problems but don’t want to take medication.

Just when some would think that was all, there’s more. Music has been proven to help with some serious issues. A person with Alzheimer can remember the words to their favorite songs even when they can’t remember their grandchild’s name. It is said that learning to play an instrument can hinder dementia. Music can help people with motor disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, by giving them a beat to synchronize their movements. Music has shown some kind of positive activity in most illnesses dealing with the brain. It is even said that music can completely rewire the brain.

No one knows the extent of music’s affects on the brain. One day, I see music being a specific kind of medication. I believe that music will be made a certain way that caters to specific parts of the brain. With more studies on this phenomenon, I do believe music will be used to cure many mental illnesses.

Should You Hire a Manager or Not?

Many people are trying to make it big in the music industry. With this increase in independent artists recently, people are debating whether or not they need any help. Many people are recording music their selves from the comfort of their own homes. They write and compose their own songs, and now they are managing their own music. Is this a good idea? Will this help aim for success or will it cause a downfall?

If an artist does not hire a manager, then he or she has to do everything on his or her own.  “Hiring a manager may seem like you are giving up a lot of control and money, but not doing so is the mistake that many talented bands make across the world” (Sigmon, n.d.). When being a manager for one’s own band, things can get out of hand or ultimately fail. Most people don’t understand the pressure of balancing everything, from business to creativity. “Aside from being a musician, you’ll need to book gigs, schedule tours, negotiate deals, sign contracts you probably don’t even understand, license your songs, give interviews…at this point, it’s obvious being a successful musician goes far beyond the music itself” (Kreinbrink, 2011). It is a very easy thing to get lost in all the work and most get controlled or blindsided by record labels. Losing rights to everything that represents one’s band or music is not something any musician wants.

This does not mean that anyone that wants to be an artist should run out and hire a manager. It is good to get the feel for being one’s own manager before hiring one. This way the artist knows what to expect in situations and understands the work of a manager. It gives a mutual respect for the manager’s line of work. One also has to make sure that the manager he or she hires is going to return that mutual respect. Even though it is a hard process to juggle being an artist and a manager, it is better to take the juggling challenge than signing with a manager that doesn’t care. “The right manager should be able to translate your artistic vision so that it remains consistent with your business operations” (Kreinbrink, 2011). Also, the weight of cost is a big factor in even considering hiring a manager. Most managers are going to ask for 15-20% of the artist’s gross income. This could be an issue for the artist is he or she is not making enough money.

Many things come into play when considering an artist. Should you hire a manager? Honestly, it really depends on the situation. If someone is just starting his or her music career, then I would say no. As stated before, it is good to have the experience and the payment is probably not an option. If the artist is becoming more recognizable and has a growing fan base, then I would say it is a necessity.

References

Kreinbrink, J. (2011, July 1). Should you hire an artist manager?. Retrieved from

http://www.ccmmagazine.com/article/should-you-hire-an-artist-manager/

Sigmon, J. (n.d.). Realistic expectations of an indie manager. Retrieved from

http://www.themusicsnob.com/2009/05/26/music-business-tips-indie-manager/