Lesson 1

Hardly anyone can imagine a life without music.

Music accompanies human beings from the prenatal stage right up to the deathbed. There have never been cultures without music. Archaeological finds from prehistory and early history—such as rattles, drums, and flutes—demonstrate that music was created even then, certainly for healing purposes as well.

One of the earliest indications of the healing power of music is found in the Old Testament, in the Book of Samuel, which recounts the story of King David: Saul was a depressed king repeatedly plagued by an "evil spirit." He found relief from his depression whenever David took up his harp and played; this brought Saul a sense of ease and allowed his soul to relax.

Throughout the millennia and across all cultures, people have recognized the healing effects of music. Even today, indigenous peoples use rhythms and sounds to influence the course of illnesses. It is reported of Pythagoras—the Greek philosopher who lived around 570 BC—that he used songs to treat physical ailments, to alleviate sorrow, and to soothe anger.

For humans, music is therefore well-suited to restoring harmony between body and soul, and between mind and emotion.

Music has always been used for comfort, for calming, and for recuperation.