Sunday, February 7, 2016
MUSIC AND ITS REDEMPTIVE POWER
There have been numerous times I’ve felt discouraged and music has lifted my soul. At age 14, my mom had died. Music was my therapy to help me through the tough emotions of loss. I sang in my school and church choirs, played trombone in the marching band, and played the guitar for 5 hours a day. I even began writing my own songs, expressing my heart and feelings through music. Even today, music is a part of every aspect of my life and still brings relief and encouragement.
Robert Vijay Gupta also experienced music as a redemptive force. He is an Indian-American violinist and musical activist. He joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2007 at the age of 19, after completing a Master’s degree in Music from Yale University, and a Bachelor’s in biology from Marist College. TED.com says it well, “Gupta is passionate about education and outreach, both as a musician and as an activist for mental health issues. He has the privilege of working with Nathaniel Ayers, the brilliant, schizophrenic musician featured in ‘TheSoloist,’ as his violin teacher.”
In this TED-Talk video, Robert Gupta talks about a violin lesson he once gave to Nathaniel Ayers, a brilliant, schizophrenic musician, and what Gupta learned in the process. Nathaniel Ayers was a double bassist who graduated from Juilliard School. He had a series of psychotic episodes in his 20’s and was treated with Thorazine (used for treating certain mental or mood disorders like schizophrenia). He dropped out of Juilliard and ended up homeless on Skid-Row in downtown Los Angeles 30 years later.
Gupta was able to give a violin lesson to Ayers, which affected both of them. Through playing music and communicating about music together, Gupta discovered that Ayers was transformed, exposing a brilliant musician, experiencing sanity in those moments. Music acted like a medicine for Ayers, a healing balm bringing him back to a place of creativity and rationality.
At the end of the TED-Talk, Gupta says music caused Ayers to “take his thoughts and delusions and shape them, through his imagination and creativity, into reality.” This is the essence of art – taking our emotions and expressing them through music! “This is what reaches us, moves us, inspires us, and unites us.” Watch this video here and comment below with your thoughts on music as a redemptive power.
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I think it is very interesting that music can heal such deep wounds
ReplyDeleteIt's unpredictable that how much power music has. It cures people and helps people to communicate with others. What it brings, is always good benefits that encourage people to walk further and work harder. Like others, music gives me joy as well, It's important that we should spread the faith of music
ReplyDeleteMusic has so much power that is often underestimated. It helps people through their dark times and lets them communicate with others in a unique way. I think it is amazing how music can heal such wounds. Music gives me joy in many ways. I think that it is important that we spread the power of music.
ReplyDeleteMusic is the essence of life. It powers people through hard times and gives people inspiration. It brings people together and creates never ending bonds. But at the same time music can drive people apart if not done correctly. Music is life.
ReplyDeleteMusic is an incredible thing and has after people for a long time. It has the power to change moods and lift people up. It can heal wounds and mend souls. It can help you in the time of need and can be the thing you need when you need it. We have the power today to spread music everywhere around the world so it can help someone who can relate to the music and than be uplifted.
ReplyDeleteMusic is a universal language that can be interpreted and undertood in so many different ways but is appreceated everywhere. It's amazing to me how something like music can be brought to life by musicians and how it's brings musicians to life.
ReplyDeleteMusic can really change the way people look at things. From the surface, music may seem like a few notes on a piece of paper, but Mr. Gupta showed us that some people express themselves through music. To me, music is a way for me to exemplify my feelings. Music really is an art where people can be free.
ReplyDelete(ⴲ ͜ʖⴲ)
Music can heal anything. Its has a power that touches of souls. When life gets rough we can always fall back on to music and jesus. Music is like jesus, its every and is loving.
ReplyDeleteI think that music is very important in a persons life. Whether they play it or just listen to it, music is an outlet for most people in a certain way. Some people use it to cope with sadness as a way of communicating how they feel. People can also use it as a way to express their joy. Music is therapeutic in many ways and I believe that it is important to the development of a person.
ReplyDeleteTo me, music would be like the whole world itself. Music has the power to change the way people think , and even their personality. Music can also be a bookmark for places and ways people feel about life. Some people don't see what music can bring, so they dint pay attention. In reality, the power of music is great enough to cause change.
ReplyDeleteMusic plays an import role in everyone's life. People listen to music for many reasons for example if the music helps them relax, or if it helps heal the in a way. I believe that music can help someone when they are going through a hard time, since they can write a song that can relate to their problem, or they can sing along to a song that talks about the problem that they are having.
ReplyDeleteMusic really does change people. Music can turn a bad day into a good one and a good day into a even better one. Music provides an escape like few other things can, it allows us the musicians to express our emotions and thoughts which acts as a form of therapy. In the case of Nathaniel Ayers, music brought a paranoid schizophrenic peace and eased his mind of harmful thinking. By evoking emotions and allowing a creative escape, music helps shape our day and transform us into better people.
ReplyDeleteEverybody listens to music. Just like Nathaniel Ayers, music is the tool that keeps us all sane. It helps us eat with our emotions. Not only that, but playing music allows you to tell a story. A story that is unique to you and can never be copied. A story of the life you live and expressing ideas using notes and harmonies. Music is the backbone that has shaped our society greatly.
ReplyDelete- Saadi
Everyone experiences music in their own way. It is amazing to think that whatever mood you are in, or tough times you are going through, music can relieve you of the darkness of this world and put you in a place of peace. Music can relieve stress and solve your problems. Everyone interprets music in a different way, and this story just goes to show how powerful music really is.
ReplyDeleteMusic is all around us. It is in our communities, countries, and homes. Music is much more than just a minuscule form of entertainment. It tells a story and represents a group of people. It allows for communication and brings people together. Music brings out who people really are and can be the kickstart for change in people's lives.
ReplyDeleteMusic is a really good way to relive stress. When we listen to music there is s lot of emotion. Music is a great way to unwind or to relive stress. People also listen to music to relax. Music is very powerful and it can be used in a lot of different ways.
ReplyDeleteMany believe music is their escape from reality and music allows us to express ourselves as individuals. Music has helped to relieve the stress of many, such as Coates, Gupta, and Ayer. People play music while pouring out their feelings, allowing listeners to interpret the feelings portrayed in a piece. Music is someone's perception of the world and how they see life. Music is large part of society today because it influences many in their daily lives. Music has overall driven the lives of many and can change the way we feel about certain things in life.
ReplyDeleteMusic is a great tool for healing and redemption. It speaks to us in ways no amount of words can.
ReplyDeleteI love this message. It is amazing how therapeutic music can be for people. Music allows people to relieve anything thats weighing heavy on their hearts. Music can change someones mood and deal with their challenges in life. It's inspiring to hear how music has made such a difference in all aspects of yours, Guptas, and Ayers life. I also use music as a coping method and a way of encouragement.
ReplyDeleteMusic is more than just an entertainment for us, as players, we can use music as an expression, especially when it comes to worship, music can be transformed into messages and a way of communicating with ours. In general, music can be defined in many ways, we can have our own design and concepts to make it special than ever.
ReplyDeleteMusic can truly be the best therapy for the wounds that doctor's can't heal, wounds on our hearts can be mended by very few things. Music just simply has a way of fixing our sorrows and giving us a new outlook, music has the power to heal beyond comprehension.
ReplyDeleteYou're totally right about what music does for us. Especially for me, whenever I'm feeling down, I usually stick some headphones in my hears and experience the peace that music brings to me. Not only do I enjoy listening, it often helps me reflect on the things I struggle with. It also helps me become a better musician through the process!
ReplyDeleteI think that this article was incredibly interesting and I definitely relate the music being a form of therapy. I know in my life, when I am stressed or need encouragement, music helps me to calm down and to think through whatever stresses me out. It was so awesome to read about how music has impacted your life Mr. Coates. Thank you for sharing about this topic, because I think it really relates to many people.
ReplyDeleteThis was a really relatable article. I completely agree that music is a great method of therapy. I always use music to encourage me and lift me up. Music speaks to people in incredible ways. It has its way of speaking to people. I completely agree with you,
ReplyDeleteMr. Coates.
I very much agree with this article. I believe that ,us if has very many universal qualities that can serve many different, and important purposes. Music can definitely have theropedic qualities. The usefulness of music is undeniable.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading this article I felt as though it truly resignated with me. I truly think that music is a universal language and that's why i believe it is so powerful. It evokes emotions and connects people on a whole new level. People who might have hated each other can come together for music because it brings out something different from us. Music has helped me in a multitude of ways so I really agree with everything in this article and with you. I loved this article! Can't wait to read more!
ReplyDeleteMusic is definitely an incredible gift God has given us and we should use it for His glory. I love this because music is what led me to become a Christian
ReplyDeleteThis article is relatable, in some people's cases. Music is a theoropy and a healing device but sometimes people they take it to heart. If somebody is sad and down and feels broken, God will give them the art of music to heal. The music would move them and inspire to go on and play music for others who are down and can no longer stand. Let the music ever fulfill their hearts and their minds and let them feel free and safe.
ReplyDeleteMr. Coates this is me Joseph Luna
DeleteThe article is relatable for many, as they seem to take an interest in what music has to say rather than normal words. Music is impactful for the ones who are feeling down, for to them, it's not just a song. Music is also something that can bring people together, whether it be common problems, or just an interest. After listening to such things, the impact on the mind can be as much as life changing. For myself, music is both a stress reliever and a great help for the mind.
ReplyDeleteJR Ito
DeleteI think that this video is very interesting. It is so crazy that music can cure someone who is insane and make them sane again. Music can cure lots of things and Gupta told us how music saved this mans sanity. It reminded him of why he became a musician and we should learn from what Gupta is saying about music. By William brady-Diaz
ReplyDeleteMusic is truly therapeutic. The ancient Greeks had this idea that the music they played affected their very personality and soul, which to an extent is true. The music we listen to has a profound impact on our moods, if we play sad music we feel sad and same way with happy music, angry music etc. Moreover, music can remind us of past memories and take us back to how we felt at that time, so it's no wonder Nathaniel Ayers experienced a positive change when he played and listened to music. All in all, the idea that music deeply effects us reigns true even today.
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ReplyDeleteI think music and art in general can be a medicine. I can relate to this video because I also listen to music when I feel down. Art has a special way of expressing our emotions. Through our personal art, we show ourselves in a way we can't otherwise. Through this example in the video and many others, it is obvious that music is an essential part of life.
ReplyDeleteHenry Zhang
Music is powerful. In this case, Nathaniel has connections with music;however, it is partially lost due to his psychological problems. Gupta helps him to rebuild connections. I feel Nathaniel is lucky to meet a person like Gupta. In real life, we should always try to encourage others, not only in terms of music but also other aspects of life.
ReplyDeleteThrough this video, I was reminded of how powerful music is and how music can be used to heal people from their scars of the past. Nathaniel Ayers is a strong example of how music can transform a person from a sad, lonely person to one who is immersed into music. He also shows how one's brilliant musical talent is not wasted even when one is not in one's normal state of mind; music can still work its power in people who are not "normal". This article has helped me understand that God can work through anyone and through anything. Ayers gives me hope in that anyone can make beautiful music if one puts his or her mind to it.
ReplyDelete~ written by Crystal Lai
Music is one of the most amazing discoveries mankind has made. It is everywhere and contains alot of power. Through this power music has to ablility to change others. This can be from depressed to happy or happy to angry. It can take a big topic and have it make sense. It is a form of expressing one's emotions. Music truley is beutiful.
ReplyDeleteMusic is an amazing thing. It can heal such wounds. Music also brings people joy, encourages people, and gives people hope. Music is a gift for everyone to enjoy. What an incredible thing in the world =)
ReplyDeleteThroughout the TED talk, I was reminded of a certain passage of Scripture from the Old Testament. In this particular account, young David played the harp before King Saul in order to soothe him from the torment of separation from God. In these moments of harp-playing, the king could rest and enjoy peace. It amazes me that even though God had sent the evil spirit to Saul, He granted him peace during the playing of David. Similarly, it is encouraging to hear stories like that of Nathaniel Ayers. ~Rebecca Hermosillo
ReplyDeleteMusic is a amazing and heal people. It can heal mentally and emotionally. The music was like an invisible pharmaceutical that helped him. Even with physiological problems music helped him through the problems. I believe that music truly helps because when I was going through a tough time I listened to music none stop and it soothed me,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this and watching the video it has really inspired me. First I think that music is like a cure to every kind of pain in our heart. It could make us forget about pain and pour all our hearts into music. And music also brings people joy and hope. It gives us the encouragement and mood to do everything better.-Ziqi Cong
ReplyDeleteMusic is beautiful. It is powerful. Music has the ability to heal the soul. I loved listening to Robert Gupta's story. I love listening to music when I am in my car driving. Music is a great way to express what you are going through in life. Music can be peaceful or intense. - Gabriel Contreras
ReplyDeleteMusic has a healing power. He says that he used music to help him heal. This boy sang in his choir. Music brings joy to the hearts and souls of thise who hear it. It can encourage us to be the better version of ourself. Love Tim Hoque
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this and watching the video it has really inspired me. I strongly believe that music inspires us all and can heal the greatest wounds. It helpsmus to alleviate some pain that we experience in our everyday lives. And music also brings people joy and hope. It uplifts us so that we can enjoy every day a little bit more.-David Shao
ReplyDeleteThis video is great. Music is an amazing thing. It helped the Nathaniel off the streets and to a road of recovery. This is inspirational to me because I'm learning to play a stringed instrument. Knowing I can empower people through music is awesome.
ReplyDeleteMusic has the power to heal and soothe, and I was reminded of that from this blogpost. Nathaniel was trapped in his mind because of his schizophrenia, but music calms him, amd brings him back to reality. We should find solace in our passions like Nathaniel does. Music should be a place where love and peace overflow. It should be our comfort. We can learn this from Nathaniel, and I hope to be as confident in music as he is.
ReplyDeleteMusic is a powerful thing. It can change peoples lives. It can get you through a tough time or just make you feel better at any time. His story just shows how much music can help you overcome. Music is such an inspiration and can really change someones life. Music can bring you so much happiness in such a little time and can encourage you in many ways. -Seth Hoque
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ReplyDeleteI think that the fact music can heal people in ways other methods can't is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of a lot of phenomenal things, but this now takes the cake. When I hear music, I like to think of it as if our ears can paint a picture and see what it makes. But when I think of it as medicine, that would make a lot of sense. Because music is one of the main things can conterol how a person feels, how they see things, and how they cope. Music can take you places far from where you are right now. But most of all, music is an art that can always be beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMusic connects people. It's a international language that everyone can understand. Music is is part of my life. Music gives strength and encouragement to people. It can change people's life. It has the power to change a person's life. It is amazing that music can heal people. It really inspired me
ReplyDeleteMusic is a universal language that can be and has been spoken throughout the years. Music has a way to relax and let people escape from the world and the things that are going on in life. Music is a way to escape from troubles and things in our lives, and to connect with others. You can understand and respect people when you listen to them and connect to them with music. Music can encourage you and bring you joy so quickly a way that no other thing can. Music should be a thing that we can be able to escape from reality and heal. No stress and no worry, just music. -Michael Jorgensen
ReplyDeleteThis video gave me different perspective towrd a music. One sentence i remeber from video is " music is medicine". I was surprise music can heal people's mind. I liked music he played after his talk. That music gave me peace in my mind.
ReplyDeleteNathanial's story shows how powerful music is. It shows that music draws someone out of the deepest and darkest places in their life. Anyone's passion can do this (wether it's writing, music, or something else). But, music is the most powerful medicine of anything and works every time.
ReplyDelete--Krysta Idemoto
Music can heal better than any medicine can be use it gives us peace and sanity. I enjoy watching this because music can connect people. It is very powerful and has the potential to change lives. It healed the man in the story mentally and physically. Music doesn't care who you are, as long as you are willing to take the time to learn.
ReplyDeleteMusic is beyond powerful. It has the ability to heal one person's body both physically and emotionally. However, I learned that true great music can change a person's feelings in an instant. It is not only art, but also a true wonder. Music's beauty can't be described in a few words, but it has to be appreciated from beginning to end.
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked that the music was able to cure him. I do believe everything is possibly through God, but it's amazing that He used music to heal him. It really shows how powerful music can be. I've been given a new perspective on music. It's always just been entertainment to me, but now it's more than just something that I listen to.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful reminder that music has the power to heal and nurture The wounds in our hearts. I have experienced the healing from music in my own life. For a few years I have struggled with anxiety which has caused me to not think clearly. When I listen to music, especially worship, little by little those anxious thoughts and feelings would dissipate. Music is a gift and a miracle from God to relieve us from our burdens.
ReplyDeleteMusic tells a story in which you can get lost in to escape outside hardships or rough times. It conveys emotions indirectly for the listener to understand and figure out. When we write music it helps us get out any feelings we have and put them into a song and turn it into something beautiful that someone else can relate to. When I listen t different genres of music it makes me feel different ways and emotions. Especially when I listen to worship music it feels as if all my emotions and troubles have been calmed and my troubles go away and the power of the Holy Spirit calms me and takes my anxiousness away. I believe that music is therapy and agree with the TED talk and what the man said about how he saw his eyes change and his heart once he started playing music. - Laryssa Wagenaar
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how music can heal. Music is able to nurture and repair our damaged hearts. It’s shocking how powerful music is, and truly amazing that it healed him. Music doesn’t care who you are, it will still help you. Music is a god given miracle worker, and often we may not even realize it.
ReplyDeleteThis is tyler roberts
DeleteJackson Stewart. Music really decides how someone’s day will be. If they are having a bad day and that one song comes on it changes it for them. Music and emotions have a direct connection because music is emotional. Personal the best medicine for me is music. It brightens my mood it makes me nicer to people it just overall makes me a better person. I think that the TED talk was spot on and that music has and overwhelming affect on people’s lives.
ReplyDeleteMusic is universal and is shared worldwide. Music builds and forms relationships in our lives and even heals broken hearts and souls. The power of music should not be underestimated as it changes and transforms other lives. Music can shape our inspiration and our thoughts, so that we can express it ourselves. I love how music alters my mood and can ultimately make my day better. -Kathryn Casuga
ReplyDeleteMusic is medicine. Music is a way for us to escape from our lives, regardless of how bad they are. When you are playing music, you need to think only about playing music. These ideas are reflected almost perfectly in this TED talk, and are put into an example that so many can relate to (albeit not exactly). These ideas are a major part of why I started taking the conservatory program (I had planned for AMSE). I am so glad I chose this community, and I look forward to going further with it, and hopefully finding a dream that I can work towards and follow.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is very interesting. It is not only a very powerful story, but also a great example of how music can heal us and shape us. I have never heard of the story of Nathaniel Ayers before, but it seems very interesting and I want to learn more about it. I may watch the movie or ready the book. I also thought that his preformance at the end of the video was very good. - Mark Sizelove
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ReplyDeleteMusic is truly powerful. Many people use it as a coping mechanism, and as a way to be themselves. Musicians express their emotions and feelings through the music they write. I do know someone who uses music as therapy, but not anything like this. I never knew music could affect someone like this.
Music has an incredible power. It is often underestimated how much music can have an impact on someone. Whether someone is going through a hard time or just having a rough day, music has the power to make someone feel better. Music also gives us an escape from reality. When you are playing music, you are so focused on playing the right thing, that you don’t worry about the world around you. Overall music is the best medicine.
ReplyDelete-Adam Lucken
Nathanuel Anthony Ayers Jr. was a Julliard trained double bassist who’s promising career was cut short by a tragic affliction with paranoid schizophrenia. He dropped out of college and 30 years later was homeless living on the streets of Skid Road, Los Angeles.
ReplyDeleteNathanuel related to music through a different level. Through playing and talking about music, the man had transformed from the paranoid disturbed man who had just come from walking the streets of downtown Los Angeles to the charming, erudite, and brilliant Julliard trained musician.
Music is Medicine. Music changes you. For Nathanuel, music was sanity. Music allowed him to take his thoughts and allusions and to shape them through his imagination and creativity to reality. Music was an escape from his tormented state. Music brought him back to a fold of friends and a family of musicians who understood him. They recognized his talents and respected him. Robert Gupta says he will always make music with Nathanual because he reminds him of why he became a musician. -Elleanna Lee
Music can cure people, and even help people communicate. It can help people get through hard times. We can spread music everywhere and it can be uplifting to someone going through a hard time. Mr. Gupta shows how music can be expressed through people. It can be an outlet to someone who is stressed, or even calm someone's anxiety or fears. Music has the power to change the way people think.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to being a source of enjoyment, music can also be used as a healing power. I learned that music can be a better medicine than some pharmaceuticals because individuals can connect with it, make it their own, and escape the trials and troubles of life. It can heal emotional chaos, such as depression and schizophrenia, while also connecting and inspiring people of all ages from all walks of life. Music also allows us to discover a new and creative part of us which we can share with others to increase communication with them. Finally, music is a great form of encouragement. Merely playing a song for someone can brighten their day and help them escape the harsh realities of life, at least just for a little while.
ReplyDelete-Kaitlyn Imaino
Music is a force that is very powerful and can shape and reform those around you. It can help us through hardships such as a loss of a loved one, but it can also bring us out of these times into one of light. In my life, I have found that music is a necessary component to keep me happy. Without it, I would feel very empty, and so would many others. Gupta helped me realize all of this in myself.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Robert's impactful story of his friend through the struggles of schizophrenia, and overcoming it through the power of music. The main thing I found interesting was that time period has such harsh ways of treating people under these symptoms. It is unjust to constrain someone, which could have caused him to become homeless, and not just the disease itself. Through the help of Robert, his friend had hope as violin opened a whole new path. A path where he didn't have to feel pain and be stressed, but to listen and play what he enjoys.-Noah D'Angerio
ReplyDeleteI feel like sometimes people resort to things like alchohol or drugs to temporarily forget about all their woes in life. But in Nathanuel’s case he turned to his violin for healing. I think that’s very inspirational because for someone with a mental disease it must’ve been difficult to pursue music. The good thing about music is that it’s everlasting. It doesn’t just stop. It continues inside your heart *dabs*
ReplyDeleteMusic is a really good way to relive stress. When we listen to music there is s lot of emotion. Music is a great way to unwind or to relive stress. People also listen to music to relax. Music is very powerful and it can be used in a lot of different ways.
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ReplyDeleteMusic can truly be the best therapy for the wounds that doctor's can't heal, wounds on our hearts can be mended by very few things. Music just simply has a way of fixing our sorrows and giving us a new outlook, music has the power to heal beyond comprehension.
-Justin Duval
Music has a tremendous effect all the way down to one’s soul. It has the power to heal and change perspectives. In Nathaniel’s case, before music he was utterly defeated. It was as if he had nothing to live for. Then, he discovered the changing powers of music and because of it he now has renewed perspective on life. Music frees people from the “weights on their shoulders” and lets them express themselves creatively. - Benjamin
ReplyDeleteI found out music is very powerful and strong. I kind of knew that music can make people’s emotion and feeling better but never thought about music actually can heal people. In my life, when i have hard time, I usually listen music because it actually makes my emotion and feels better. -Chris Jung
ReplyDeleteI already knew that music was incredibly powerful. However I never knew that music could actually heal people. My mom gets really bad headaches. One way this can affect my life is the next time she has a headache I can play music and try to make her feel better.
ReplyDeleteAdam Lucken
Music has a trenmendous effect all the way down to one’s soul. I kind of knew that music can make people’s emotion and feeling better, but I never thought about music actually healing people. Music is a great way to unwind or relieve stress. Music simply has a way of fixing our sorrows and giving us a new outlook. Music is very powerful and it can be used in a lot of different ways. Music has the power to heal beyond comprehension. -Tyler Roberts
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