More than Just Sound
A persuasive speech composed by Ella G (Year 9)
When was the last time you heard music? Was it this morning when your mum was cooking breakfast? Last night when you were avoiding your homework? For all of us, there has been a time when music has made us cry, smile, or dance. There is no other creation on earth that can make a human react so drastically in seconds. Music is universal. It is scientifically proven to alter our brain chemistry, and it has the power to shape entire cultures and connections. That is why music is mankind’s greatest ever invention.
Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health in 2023 concluded that music can affect us before we are even born. It is capable of reducing stress and blood pressure in mothers and drastically improving foetal auditory development. Rhythms and auditory patterns can slow heartbeats, promote relaxation, and help us focus. Srini Pillay, a prestigious and respected neuroscientist at Harvard University, recommends that everyone listen to music. It has been proven that consistent melodies activate all parts of the brain, including those responsible for the body’s motor system, which is why we are so compelled to move when listening to music.
Alright, you are probably thinking, what is so great about a change in emotions? I want you to think about your favourite genre of music. Country? Rap? My personal favourite is jazz. In fact, I am named after one of the greatest jazz artists of all time, Ella Fitzgerald. But every piece of music has a history. Did you know that music existed before written language? The oldest instrument in the world was a flute made from cave bear bone, dating back almost fifty thousand years. One after another, different instruments and genres of music formed, often evolving from combined cultures and knowledge.
The 2000s specifically have become a canvas for self-expression, storytelling, and a tool for challenging corrupt entities. The introduction of social media has allowed artists to share their work globally, fostering creativity, passion, and joy beyond language barriers. The influence musicians have in the world contributes both educationally to children and politically to global issues.
You see, music is not just sound. It is not just melody. It is not just heard, played, or performed. It is a collection of cultures, stories, and emotions. It is knowledge. It is the foundation of creativity. And it is the greatest invention of all time.
