Why does music do what it does? 

This past Monday I attended the Ray LaMontagne and Brandi Carlile concert at Big Sky Brewing Company. Great show by the way. As I listened to the music and watched the people, I began to ask questions. Luckily, I was armed with my trusty notepad and pen– I don’t leave home without it. I jotted down some notes and thought I’d share:

Why does music make us move? We hear music and we dance. Even babies dance naturally to music. What is it about music that makes us want to move? Different music moves different people differently. Folk moves me most. Why?

How do we know a good a dancer? Most dancing (think weddings) is random acts of freedom. Freely moving your body to the music. It’s obvious when I see a good dancer. How?

Who doesn’t like music? Everyone I know, that can hear, likes some type of music. Classical, country, jazz, alternative… Most like some genres and dislike others. I dislike Jazz. Who doesn’t like 1 genre of music?

What was I listening to then? For me, music creates memories. I was listening to Willie Nelson, Midnight Rider, while driving a jet boat up the Nushagak River in Alaska. When I hear this song, I think of this time. I was listening to Jon and Roy, Little Bit of Love, while barreling down the dusty roads of Patagonia. When I hear this song, I think of this time. What songs capture memories for you?

Why does sight impact sounds? Once you see the music video, you think of the music video when you hear the song. When I hear  Brandi Carlile, I think of the concert. Why?

Why are hits, hits? Artist have many songs and there are many artists. Why do some songs become hits while others do not? Similarly, a hit essentially means a bunch of people like it. What is it about that particular song that makes a bunch of people like it?

How does music evoke emotions? Laugh, cry, throw air punches. Seriously, how?

Yes, I googled all of these questions. The short answer is the human mind is amazing; it allows music to do what is does.  Enjoy it!