What does music do for you?

Read a very interesting post by Arun about Rhythmic Trances. Set me thinking about the subject. Thanks Arun, for giving me a great subject to start my blogging with!

I think I get what Arun is referring to - using music to shut everything else out, and help stay in the "zone". And the longer you are in the zone, the more productive you can be.

Definitely wouldn't want the lyrics as part of the consciousness then - because instead of shutting everything else out, the lyrics actually stay in your brain! And possibly even distract you.

But I guess it is also a function of "understanding the music". A song in a language which we cant understand, should serve the same purpose as instrumental music, right? And wouldn't listening to an instrumental version of Maiya Maiya be almost as distracting as watching Mallika Sherawat cavorting on the screen?

Interesting to think about what exactly music does for us, at different times. When I am going on long drives, music helps me stay awake - whereas, at other times, the exact same playlist, can help me fall asleep as well! It is more a function of how I relate to the music - on long drives, I would be singing along, totally involved with the music, and the music actually takes away the monotony of the drive - whereas when I am in bed, the music takes the focus away from all the things that would likely keep me awake longer - in a sense, creating a "monotony" that can help me sleep.

I think more than a specific genre of music, it is how we chose to relate to music that makes the difference. Even the most lilting lullaby might not put you to sleep, if you are the one singing it! Of course, different genre's work best in different situations, without doubt - but it might not be as simple as just the genre.