The Marvel of Music

There are as many forms and styles of music as there are bricks in the Yellow Brick Road. And, depending upon our lives and histories and happenchance moments we have been exposed to quite a few of them.

Pop, Heavy Metal Rock, Oldies Rock, British Rock (and a dozen more), Country, Alternative, Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Big Band, Hip Hop, Rap — the list goes on and on. We may overdose on modern country (Toby Keith), vintage country (Hank Williams), Big Band (Artie Shaw), Bluegrass (Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs) — all have music that thrill the souls of any and all of us.

Having said that (along with mentioning a half dozen times which music I usually listen to), I have been listening to slow, soft, rhythmic music to help me fall asleep. I don’t have headphones or ear buds (yet), but having my iPad near my head or right under my pillow works quite well.

I was listening to “Classical for Sleep” the other night, and I listened — really listened — to a couple of masterpieces on piano. Songs you’ve heard a dozen times, through movies or as background elevator music, and most likely don’t pay attention to.

I listened to “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven the other night. Everyone knows that slow, sleepy beginning, and the sped up middle and end, and this time I really listened. To every individual note. And as the piece unfurled before me I was amazed that the artist could play that fast that well. It was amazing.

I also listened to Debussy’s “Clair de Lune.” Wasted as  the ending song of Ocean’s 11 movie (and overused in movies in general), the piano work was amazing. Each note individually wrapped around the next, listening to it in the dark of night brought an even deeper appreciation of classical music in general and piano music specifically.

Do you ever turn out the lights and listen to your favorite slow, creative, relaxing music favorites? Maybe it’s smooth jazz or Christian hymns or Christmas music or astral travelling serenades.

Listening to music right before you fall asleep relaxes your mind as well as your body. And that’s when you get to really appreciate the talent of the musician, the composer, and the universe. You can appreciate the individual notes, the intricate finger work of violins or cellos or pianos, and feel the atmosphere the composer was creating.

Music is so different at night.

Try it. Let me know what you think.