The Power of Music and Memory
Have you ever heard a song that you once loved in the past and have it instantly bring you back to that moment in time?
You begin to see all the details of the room that you were in at the time, the people you were with, the things you were talking about. This is the power of Music on our memory. I have a song for just about every moment in my life. As a kid, I remember very clearly the kids songs and the sounds of the toys that I played with. And the song that first got me so excited and anxious to play piano, Blue in Green by Miles Davis and Bill Evans. I even have a song from college that instantly brings me back to a moment of hanging out with my roommate listening to good music: Nirvana by Bill Evans.
There are tons of Jazz songs that if played, I can sing every note in some of the solos, including dynamics! Music does something to us that we cannot explain with words. The effect is so profound that music has shown to bring people together for a cause and unite. Looking back at the protests and anger that took place in the 70’s, I feel as if I can only dream of things like that happening today in America.
What song brings you back to the past and where does it bring you?
