Interesting Article on Cracked on Music's effect (w/ Autism)

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For anybody who doesn't read cracked, Cracked is a comedy website, but one of the aspects of Cracked is presenting recent scientific information in funny and amusing ways, often in the form of lists.

Today's was interesting, it was on Music's effects on the brain:
http://www.cracked.com/article_19006_th ... in_p2.html

Especially #1: It (Music) Makes You a Better Communicator

I am mentioning this because I noticed something on this board. Those of us who are musicians who are on the spectrum are more socially (and romantically) connected. While I am only a hobbyist, I actually noticed this exact effect of music in my own life. I cannot read body language, but I do pick up quite a bit based on the volume, pitch and timbre of a persons voice. When I talk to NTs about what is like to be me, and why I don't struggle as much with social interactions as some on the spectrum, I also explain that I am a musician, I pick up alot in peoples vocal patterns. What many people use body language for, I use vocal charactestics instead.
I probably have a bit more of an advantage because of sound to color synthesia, but I think in general music may be the key to better communication. for those on the spectrum. Look at those of us on the board who are musicians, compared to those who are not. This is not a cure, it doesn't change who we are, but rather a possible therapy method that can improve our lives, make living life easier.

For the record, I started and still play synths. I think synthesizers may be the ultimate instrument for autistic children to learn on (just to give a heads up to parents), they depend on programming knowledge to get results beyond just playing it. I think they also help with understanding harmonics, resonance, etc a bit better. But I also play guitar and bass. With that being said, I don't think the instrument or method it is taught matters, I think the fact I have kept with music since I was little, into adulthood is what yielded results. The fact music has remained one of my obsessions throughout my life.

I can say that this very same thing happened to me. I saw things very differently once I started studying classical guitar.

I had huge problems learning to play the piano. I couldn't learn to site read worth a damn. It's a translation thing. The symbolic representation of the music needed to be translated into actions for my fingers that then made the sound. What I learned was the sound. Once I heard the music a few times, I knew it. Not quite the savant level hear it once remember it forever, but pretty good. And my fingers could never keep up with the music in my head. It was very frustrating.

I also can't really listen to background music. Music tends to really grab my attention and I want to focus on it and listen immersively.

What does this have to do with the OP?

I dunno. I'm cracked?

Cool article, thank you.

The universe is music. Understanding music helps you understand everything else. If you can understand resonance, harmony, melody, rhythm, dynamics, amplitude, etc... apply what you know to socialising, and you're away.

Hmm, Craig Nicholls doesn't appear very social.

I wish I could play an instrument but the only time I've been able to read music is when I was medicated.

Sorry, this has nothing to do with anything, but I LOVE your signature.

when I jam out by myself on guitar I tend to go more into mathematical rhythms and such and 'emotional works'. It makes for some very technical pieces that kinda have a self-hypnotic effect on me.

so I dunno. I have been playing since I was 11-12 though so yeah. maybe it has helped though. I can't tell emotions based on visual cues, but voice tones I can nail it spot on with. Still doesn't mean I give a s**t about said emotions though. I have 'empathy' but don't care much for using it unless its absolutely necessary.

If it helps so much, I'd hate to see how much I'd be struggling without my extensive musical training.

I write music. Well not write music. But I make music. Tranc, electronic, and techno.

Interesting read....I think.

I didn't particularly like piano lessons at age 12, but it was an emotional connection to the world that I don't think I would have gained otherwise. And often, the only way I could express and feel emotion. I was envious of people that could create music without reading it. I was restricted to sheet music most of my life. I also sang with groups, but had no solo abilities. At about age 46, something changed with me where I no longer had the patience to read music, and was suddenly able to create music without concscious effort. I also developed the ability to sing solo at the same time.

Most of my life I played the piano loud and didn't mind loud music. About the same time that I started creating music, I had to use an electronic piano for volume adjustment, because the tones from my acoustic piano became loud and annoying to me. I also craved light most of my life, and became intolerant of light at this time. The intensity of my sensory discomfort and the increased ability to create music seemed to mirror each other. Same thing with the singing.

My cousin has Aspergers and has made a living as a muscian. He hates crowds but has the ability to block them out of his mind when he performs.

Since the article is probably talking about the effects of musical intelligence on social intelligence in NTs, there's probably some element of integration that needs to happen; i.e. one hand washes the other. If the social hand is struggling, then it probably needs to catch up first.

I don't know though. I do find my developments in musical intelligence help me with far more than just music, which I hardly ever do anything of these days.

Maybe you would be a lot worse of without it?

I pay about $2000 a year on music therapy for my son. Keep in mind that I am not a rich person. It is the only special service that my autistic son has outside of school. I understand that music has numerous potential academic benefits. However, I want him to know music for his own personal pleasure. I could care less about the other benefits.

I've never studied music but I have a strong connection to it. It really is therapeutic and there is nothing that makes me feel as good as my favorite songs

Hmm. Very interesting.

I played the piano for many years. I bet that has been a big help to me. I guess I should continue playing at some point.

Just gotta find the time and a good location. I hate practicing in public areas.

If you buy a digital piano, you could plug in a pair of headphones, so you don't even have to feel self-conscious about other people listening in (also, they take up much less space than an acoustic piano).

Really interesting idea/observations. I learned to play guitar at 14 and have always had a song on the brain or been singing one.
And one aspie trait I don't have is a monotonous voice, even though my content can be boring.

I've also got this idea that singing regulates your breathing and stops anxiety build-up. So would ritual prayers and chanting.