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Written by PABlo Bley aka Paul Alan Bley. Posted in the Oneironaut.

DREAM MUSIC

Part One - The Melding of Mind and Music

“Where there's music, there can be no evil.”

Miguel de Cervantes

Since the dawn of time, there has always been music in our lives. Something about the rhythm and cadence allows us to experience very profound states of consciousness. That beat and rhythm has echoes throughout every ethnic group including Native American, South American, Australian, Asian, African, etc. all use drums and rhythm instruments of some sort --as well as chanting, singing and dancing-- to enter higher dimensions of consciousness.

In the healing arts, music can be a key ingredient. Practitioners of those arts often use background music to create a special ambience which assists their patients to relax. Hypnotists, Music therapists, Massage therapists, and those who do any kind of body work are all familiar with techniques that include music.

Recent research shows that there is a direct correlation between specific musical frequencies and certain brain wave patterns. When music is used, it is possible to increase the levels of learning ability and enhance creativity, increase the amount of dream time, and increase relaxation and sleep.

It's the Vibrations

Music must be felt as well as heard for effective therapy or mood altering results. But the music selected for personal relaxation and enjoyment can be a very individual choice. Classical, Rock, Jazz or Blues, Country Western, Bluegrass or Folk, Hymns or Gospel, New Wave, World Music, Electronic Ambience and Trance...it's all soothing and relaxing according to individual choice and different musical taste. Different tones for different bones, I guess.

Written by PABlo Bley aka Paul Alan Bley. Posted in the Oneironaut.

DREAM MUSIC

Part Two - Dreaming with the Classics

“Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of a woman.”

Ludwig Van Beethoven

Classical music can be the most beautiful and the most difficult music to understand. It's also one of the best types of music for healing, relaxation and meditation.

Adagio music is music played very slowly. It's excellent for meditation, or for the massage therapist as he/she makes long slow movements with the hands. The classics played on the harp lend themselves magnificently to meditation, sleep therapy and massage. Another excellent listening choice is Pachabel's Canon. It seems to have been created to promote relaxation.

The CLASSICAL music of Mozart has become so popular as a healing tool that the treatment has become known as the Mozart Effect...

But whether it's Pachabel's Canon, Mozart's Classical compositions or something by Beethoven, classical music, with it's slow measured pace or brisk staccato rhythm, lends itself well to relaxation. Whether played on the piano, violin, harp or with a full orchestra, it's well worth the time to listen and absorb its vibrations.

Written by PABlo Bley aka Paul Alan Bley. Posted in the Oneironaut.

DREAM MUSIC

Part Four - Drifting Into Dreamland

“Form is the balance between tension and relaxation.”

Ernst Toch

This fourth segment deals with two special classes of sleep or relaxation music. Many recordings made to use during meditation or self hypnosis use music as a base with a voice over giving the instructions.

This type of relaxation music is one of my favorites. What could be more relaxing than to lie down, close your eyes and imagine yourself dozing on the bank of your favorite stream.

This kind of music augments your imagination by supplying the sound effects - the rippling stream, the wind rustling the needles of the pine tree above your head, the singing birds, even the buzzing flies as they flit past.

A search through many music stores will uncover a great deal of variety. The nature sounds include running water, the sound of winds, thunder storms, and diverge into more exotic areas with the howling of the wolves, the eerie cry of hawks and even the voices of whales and dolphins. Backing these animal voices you can find music that varies from the classical to modern music to mediate to.

Can't sleep? Snuggle under your blankets, make yourself comfy and close your eyes. Reach over and turn on the music and let your imagination carry you away to the wilderness. Listen to the birds, the waves washing the shore, a coyote calling to its mate. Or drift into dreamland on a wave of soft classical music. What better way to fall asleep? And perhaps... to dream!