Music Enhances Everything

 

If music wasn’t made to be taken everywhere we go, then cars wouldn’t have stereos; Sony wouldn’t have created the Walkman; and Apple wouldn’t have mastered the wireless earphones with their Airpods. Movement, activities, the passing of time, they’re all enhanced with the playing of music. Music colors our experiences and adds depth to what we are looking at or feeling, acting like a soundtrack to our very own movie.

 

It’s something that we do without really thinking. Most of the time we just automatically press play on whatever we have at our disposal, be it our phones, car stereos, computers… or if desperate, an FM radio. Sometimes living without music is like not living at all, it’s unbearable, torturous so much that at times we even start making music by paying close attention to our surroundings and hearing rhythms coming from animals and every day sounds.

 

Much like people use substances to enhance their activities, music can be used in the same way. You can’t have a party or drive for very long without music, then it’s just people talking or meditating behind the wheel. Music can make a slow day at work go by faster, or a lonely evening feel not so lonely.

 

No one can tell you how or when to listen to music, it’s completely up to you, but we can make suggestions, tell you ‘you should try listening to music when…” It’s no different than telling parents to play classical music for their infant children. Odds are it’s beneficial, but if not, then no harm is done anyways.

 

Below are a few activities that are enhanced when combined with music.

 

Bike Riding 

 

 

It’s not uncommon to see people around town riding in groups. I know where I live it happens a few times a month. They are called “bike parties” and it’s when people who love to ride meet somewhere and ride through a pre-established route. Often these are organized by bike shops or Facebook groups and all sorts of people are invited to join. During these parties, there is usually a leader who is equipped with a loud boombox playing all sorts of music. The music serves as motivation for the riders as well as to keep them following along as they ride through public streets.

 

This other type of group bike ride may be new, but I’ve seen video live streams of large bike parties in England where hundreds of bikers follow a DJ as he mixes tracks while riding. The energy provided by the DJ is “mental,” as the locals would say. The type of music is typically electronic music.

 

Working Out 

 

 

You can’t do zumba without music. Heck, I would even wager to claim that you can’t do any workout without music. Just like in the movies, when athletes train (wink wink “Rocky”) music is usually playing in the background as scenes of empowerment are shown. Most of the time it’s hard rock because it raises the listener’s pulse, but it can be any type of music.

 

Although it’s not always the case where real life is just like in the movies, in this case it really is. If your goal is to push yourself in your workouts, then curating a playlist with music that does just that is probably one of the most important things to do. Whether you’re lifting weights, running, biking, climbing – you name it – music is important. Why do you think iPods were marketed towards athletes?

 

Driving 

 

 

This one is easy. It’s no wonder one of the signs of driving a luxurious car is its audio system. Seriously, driving and listening to music is just one of those things that go so well with each other. Not only does music set the mood when you’re driving, it can also keep you awake if you’re driving long hours. One thing I like to do is play music from the area that I’m driving through. For instance, sometimes when I drive through Bakersfield I listen to artists from there, like Merle Haggard and Korn. There’s no real reason for doing it except to feel more authentic as I’m driving through their stomping grounds. It’s also a fairly conventional thing to want to drive a convertible with the top down while listening to classic rock music.

 

Cleaning 

 

 

You know, cleaning is not one of those things that you just live to do. Sometimes it’s dreadful and requires extra motivation to get started. I have many memories of being woken up on a Sunday morning because my parents are cleaning the house with their music playing. It’s something that my wife and I do to this day as adults. Cleaning with music on really puts a rhythm into your sweeping and turns your mop into a microphone.

 

Working

 

 

Much like listening to music to workout or clean is for the purpose of getting through doing something mundane, so is listening to music while you work. Whether you’re working on a computer, on a car, tinkering with electronics or digging a ditch, listening to music could make you concentrate and/or even motivate you to finish faster.

 

I’m thinking about chain-gangs and how they’d probably sing songs to get them through the day. How much better would it have been if the sheriff had played them some music.

 

Final Thoughts 

 

No matter what you do, music will always be there with you. I think us humans are very beat music oriented and we’re constantly listening for repeating sounds or melodies. Why? Maybe so we could feel at ease or attach ourselves to a rhythm. What else does music enhance for you?