Music Therapy
Music therapy as a medium to alleviate a troubled mind, body, and soul is far from novel --writings describing the therapeutic effects of music on the human psyche date back as far as Aristotle. Although the kinship between music and the human mind reaches further back than medical scripture can encompass, a recognized clinical use of music began after World War I and II. After the wars, both professional and non-professional musicians learned that to serenade injured soldiers provided enormous relief and improved the austere atmosphere throughout veterans hospitals. What began as a simple volunteer activity evolved into a priority of many hospitals in starting musical complimentary medicine. Seeing emotional as well as physical improvements in patient healing with the addition of music, more hospitals began incorporating music into their repertoire, leading to the opening of the first music therapy program at Michigan State University in 1944. Using techniques in passive listening or active instrumental play, music therapy is often utilized in treatment for everything from classic autism to mild situational depression. A common misconception is that in order to benefit from music therapy, one has to have a known "illness" or musical ability--the point is that music itself is therapy! For those of you who feel that you missed your opportunity to play an instrument as a kid, get back behind those guitars and pianos, as simply practicing an instrument a couple times a week may improve not only the quality, but also the duration of your life.
Classic Stevie Wonder as a young kid
Kids these days... WOW. (stolen off of Jamie's facebook, thanks Jamie)
White Panda (similar to Girltalk) fun mash up, thanks Ian.
Tallest Man on Earth, thanks Raf
