Review of related literature:
This chapter presents previous studies on New Aged Music and
Memory Retention. This review of related literature will provide a support on
whether Steven Halpern on New Aged Music has a significant effect on
Memory Retention.
New Age Music
“Music is good for you. You learn best when you're relaxed. Your
creation of optimal sound from the environment for learning can help you
retain and recall information more effectively. The music becomes transparent
and non-distracting as it orchestrates your whole brain learning”. – Steven
Halpern (2012) as cited from http://www.stevenhalpern.com/prod/music-for
(2015).
The dictionaries on music as cited by Etino, (2015) define new age
music as a compositions produced by the new age movement that is
conducive to meditation. Usually new age music is produced by layering
sounds over sounds to produce a deep, many-faceted wave of music. Often
natural such as waves, rain, birds, wind, etc. are use in the production of this
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music. Often the sounds are soothing and mellow and almost religious in
nature.
However, according to the Collins E.D. (2012) as cited by William
Collins Sons & Co. Ltd., HarperCollins (2012), it is also a type of gentle
melodic popular music originating in the US in the late 1980s, which takes in
elements of jazz, folk, and classical music and is played largely on
synthesizers and acoustic instruments.
In addition to the Collins E.D. new age music was born from an
aesthetic that aims to induce a sense of inner calm; new age music emerged
from the meditational and holistic fields. Generally, these are harmonious and
nonthreatening albums that are allied with new age philosophies encouraging
spiritual transcendence and physical healing. Some of these albums are
artistically satisfying as well as therapeutic. Lesser musicians, however, often
make ridiculous claims in the liner notes as to their ability to catapult listeners
into advanced spiritual states through specially designed sonic vibrations and
"immaculately conceived" musical ideas.
Today, student life is more on modern technology and listening to music
for therapeutic purposes is very accessible. Most adolescent today consider
music as the universal language because is meaning and appeal are largely
similar for people everywhere. Furthermore, listening to music can also exert
on heart rate, skin conductance, blood pressure respiration and the release of
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the neurochemicals this is based on the study of Maglione (2006) as cited in
Karimnia &Lari n.d. (2006).
Moreover, using music as intervention according to Keegan (2001) as
cited by Etino, (2015), also has two branches; first active music intervention
with prefers to the utilization of the instrument on one’s own voice is structured
to corresponds to all sensory organs to obtain suitable motor and emotional
responses. And secondly, the passive branch which is listening to specific
music is done in order to relax, stimulate and soothe the body as well as the
mind.
In another instance, there are different styles of music according to
Chlan (1998) as cited by Etino, (2015) it can be a new age, classical,
orchestra, jazz, popular and country. Music also can be as slow and relaxing
or fast and arousing. Chlan (1998), of varying tempos in symphonies and
concertos, and new age music assimilate synthesize music and sound from
nature.
Furthermore, Don Campbell (1997) as cited by Etino, (2015) stated that
music can affect the brain organization and abilities through its melody and
rhythm. Music is suitable to high school students as they may find themselves
listening to music while stimulating their brain for relaxation before or after
spending time in working for homework, studying for an exam or for an
employee working on desk.
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Moreover using music as intervention according to Keegan (2001 as
cited by Etino, 2015), also has two branches; first active music intervention
with prefers to the utilization of the instrument on one’s own voice is structured
to corresponds to all sensory organs to obtain suitable motor and emotional
responses. And secondly, the passive branch which is listening to specific
music is done in order to relax, stimulate and soothe the body as well as the
mind.
However, according to Chlan (1998) as cited by Etino, (2015) new age
music is assimilated synthesized music and sound from nature new age music
has its own beneficial effect on human body and mind According to Weber
(2008 as cited in Etino, 2015) New age music such as Steven Halpern has no
dominant rhythm and it and it elongates the sense of space and time, included
a state of relaxed alertness.
Aksnes, H. (2000 as cited by Baroquillo, 2012). Music cognition
involves an inconceivable amount of heterogeneous associations that will
contribute to the import of meaning no matter which aspect of cognition a
listener chooses to focus. Although we pay attention to only one or a few
things at a time, our understanding of what we are paying attention to is partly
determined by aspects of cognition that we are not aware of at the time. The
thalamus and the basal ganglia are the areas of the brain responsible for the
direction of attention. They are tightly connected with the limbic system and
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frontal cortices responsible for emotions. We tend to direct our attention
towards that which means the most to us personally.
Moreover, according to classical Chlan (1998 as cited by Etino, 2015)
Classical music and new age music is different. New age music is assimilated
synthesized music and sound from nature new age music has its own
beneficial effect on human body and mind according to Weber (2008) new age
music such as Steven Halpern has no dominant rhythm and it and it elongates
the sense of space and time, included a state of relaxed alertness. New age
music of Steven Halpern can lead people to feel relaxed both of their mind and
body.
Actually, music has a long and rich history, and much has been written
about notable pedagogues of the past, both in the history of Western music
and in the histories of other cultures Shehan Campbell (2001, as cited in Etino,
2015). There is a wealth of data in cognitive science, behavioral science,
physiology, kinesiology, and neuroscience that contributes to our
understanding of the processes of music learning. Much of this research is
somewhat inaccessible to teachers and other musicians because of its high
degree of specialization. The difficulties in defining expert behavior precisely
are not unique to music teaching, of course; the same challenges confront
those who attempt to capture the nature of expertise in the music discipline.
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On the other hand, Steven Halpern (2012) as cited in Etino, 2015)
considered as the pioneer of the new age music and developed brain wave
entertainment music. Entertainment refers to the phenomenon in which a
stronger external rhythmic stimulus (or oscillating, pulsing system), measured
in beats per minute, causes a weaker system (heart) to synchronize to its
rhythm. In addition people’s brain responds automatically to sounds in the beat
per second rage. Rhythmic spectrum is measured in to two aspects. First, it is
measured in beats per minute and it effect on our physical body and
heartbeat. Second, in electrical entertainment and its effect on our brain waves
which are measured by waves per second.
In another instance, the following are types of Steven Halpern’s new
age music: The relaxing music, the music for mindfulness silence, the sound
healing, brainwave entrainment, music for meditation, music for massage,
spoken word with music, and music for learning lastly Steven Halpern (2012)
as cited from http://www.stevenhalpern.com/#sthash.WQHsBd8k.dpuf. This
following type of new age music by Halpern can reduce stress, enhanced
people’s meditations, and enjoys optimal well-being and better
sleep. However, the relaxing music, brain entrainment and the music for
learning can be useful in the improvement of memory retention.