‘Music for wellbeing’ is the general term that we chose in Acoustic Antidote to describe the effects that music-based interventions could have on the recipients, but what exactly does ‘wellbeing’ benefits include here? Based on the research insights outlined in its dedicated section on music’s interaction with our autonomic nervous system, we conclude that there are three types of needs that music-based wellness solutions could contribute to, namely: affective, physiological and cognitive needs.
Essentially, the approach of Acoustic Antidote in doing this is to bridge the gap between scientific research findings and the creative practice of music, to find the most appropriate artistic expression based on the research insights, so that to operationalize the knowledge of how music can help to regulate our wellbeing. As both the scientific and artistic explorations have been conducted for centuries by a wide range of research and creative talents, we believe it is to the benefit of the entire humankind to tap into this wealth of creativity and ingenuity.
Furthermore, the service will also explore music series themed around musical movements and traditions around the world that have explored the connection between wellbeing and music, such as Japanese Environmental Music (or kankyō ongaku) and ritualistic music from Africa and the Middle East. This musicological line of content will complement the contemporary creations to contextualize the listening experience within a meaningful lineage.
Hiroshi Yoshimura (吉村弘), an influential composer during the kankyō ongaku movement.
Below is an example that I created with music from Japanese composers Hajime Hyakkoku (百石元) and Mitsuhiro (永野光浩). Hajime Hyakkoku utilized the concept of Psychofeedback music in collaboration with __ institute. Mitsuhiro initially worked with Toshiya Sukegawa (助川敏弥) in the Bioçic Institute of Environmental Music, with the ethos of using contemporary creations that goes beyond the classical repertoire to express the feelings of awe, often inspired by nature. Psychology research suggests that the emotion of awe is a key ingredient in triggering altruistic behaviour, that transcends the boundaries of egos and open our field of attention to something universal and beyond our isolated selves. My intention of mixing these pieces of music together is to induce a state of tranquility and transcendence beyond one’s preoccupation with unhealthy rumination. It helps to down regulate the effect of stressors, to regain a state of equanimity and recalibrate the cognitive capacity.