What is this thing called music? What is so magical about it? Not only is it used as therapy, but it is also very effective. No matter how hard I've tried to solve the mystery, I can't. I just fell in love with music at a very young age and this love grows stronger all the time. Have you ever heard of someone called Lazaro Arbos? Well, you should also listen to him. I've been wanting to write about this guy since I saw him auditioning for American Idol last month and was really moved by his story. This 21-year old guy was born in Cuba and, at the age of six, he developed a stammer, which got worse when he moved to the States with his family when he was ten. Doctors were unable to discover what caused this speech impediment and his stuttering went on and even got worse. He cried on television while recalling that he didn't have friends when he was young and no-one wanted to hang out with him, because of this problem, which wasn't his fault at all. This guy could be anyone's brother or son and we all know that some people never support those who need help in any way. His parents are quiet worried about him and I think a couple of tears were shed when they were interviewed on the show, but maybe things are about to change. Despite his problem, the man sings! He walked into the room where the judges hold the initial auditions to see which contestants to choose. He barely managed to introduce himself and the song he chose to perform. The four judges were surprised, because it is hard to imagine someone who has trouble speaking wanting to sing, let alone applying for the competition. Nevertheless, he had every right to try his luck. Lazaro chose to sing Simon and Garfunkel's ‘Bridge over Troubled Water' and he gave a very good rendition. Most importantly, he did not stutter at all throughout the song! How did he do it? I don't have a clue. The judges were amazed and they really loved him. In shows like this only very few get a unanimous vote from all judges, but Lazaro did. The most influential judge of them all is the best female singer ever, Mariah Carey, and she personally said she loved him and even hugged him. Can I be Lazaro for a couple of minutes? The man was not pretending, or else many people would have contacted various media channels and said he was lying. So we know we have a real case here and yet he has no problem singing, although singing is definitely harder than speaking. It wasn't a once-in-a-lifetime incident either – his mother said that, whenever he has trouble saying something, she asks him to sing what he wants to say! Listening to music may benefit those who have anxiety or even cardiac problems – listening to music can reduce blood pressure, heart rate and levels of anxiety in cardiac patients. Let me tell you that adults are not the only ones who benefit from this. Strangely enough, good music also affects newborn babies. Studies prove that, when premature babies are exposed to the music of Mozart, they grow faster and become stronger! A 30-minute session per day is enough. Although I have every faith in these studies, I can offer no explanation for this. The thing that puzzles me the most is that Mozart has been specifically named in more than one of these studies. Why is it his music in particular that has this amazing effect? It's another mystery to me. Swedish most successful band ever, Abba, gave the word a beautiful song called ‘Thank-you for the Music' and, although it is an immaculate track, I do have a favourite part. It's that one that says, “I've often wondered how did it all start, who found out that nothing can capture a heart like a melody can? Well whoever it was, I'm a fan." Very well said Abba. In 1998 the debut ‘Divas' concert was held in New York, featuring Carole King, Shania Twain, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Aretha Franklin. This amazing concert was organised by VH1 music channel to raise funds to sponsor music teaching in New York schools. Bill Clinton, who was then the US President, donated his own saxophone and, along with his wife Hillary, called on people to help. Why is music teaching that important? They say that studies prove that learning music also helps students learn languages and mathematics. It makes a lot of sense, because languages are made of sounds just like music, while mathematics involves measuring and counting, again like music. In case you haven't seen the movie August Rush, then you should buy it or watch it on TV, next time it is on. Frankly, I knew nothing about it till I watched it by accident less than three years ago. I was at home and going through the channels, when I saw the intro of this film and loved the music used. Minutes later I got bored and, as I was about to switch channels, a brilliant mix of rock and classical music stopped me. Then the plot got interesting and I was glued to my TV till the end. While the movie was on, I started writing a song inspired by the story and soundtrack. August Rush defined music in an amazing way and, since then, it has become one of my all-time favourite movies. I later realised that many of my friends know and love it as well. Those who have never heard of it before love it when I tell them about it. It combines wonderful music with a very moving story and it is about musicians. What more could I ask for? There is so much I want to tell you about the wonders of music and the effects it has on human beings and different species too. There's so much I have to say and I'll start by saying, “Goodbye." Send me Mariah Carey to: [email protected]
