In parts of Afghanistan they are trying to ban music by burning musical instruments, maybe because they think it effects people’s morals? But music is for the receiver and once composed the composer has no control over it…

This reminded me of an article in the Psychologist this month about sound and sensation being universally linked..i.e. listening to music can trigger goose bumps, make you feel sad or frightened or get you ready for dancing.

A study in Finland found that across cultures different types of music could evoke different emotions, which were then in turn linked to different bodily sensations…for example songs or music perceived to be sad were associated with the chest and the head….our emotional responses to music transcend cultural boundaries.

So life without music would be dry, but luckily the human voice can never be banned and anyone can sing!