【推荐2】Most people know that listening to music when they are feeling down or depressed can encourage their spirits.

However studies have also shown that music, especially certain tones can reduce stress. Music can change brainwave patterns, deepen breathing and bring on a totally stress-free and more open mindset(心态). Using music to relax when considering a particular problem may not only raise your mood, but also could help you reach that "a-ha" moment and find a solution.

Music has also been shown not only to make you feel good, but also, to be a great motivator. For example, during exercise, get you to exercise more by helping you to ignore negative feelings of tiredness and focus on the pleasurable feelings you get from being absorbed in the music.

Music is mainly used to record emotion. When we listen to a piece of music we share the artist's feelings on a visceral (未来的) level. That can be sad, and who among us hasn't put on a painful love song to share in the misery after a bad breakup? On the contrary, we can share in the delight of songs of joy and happiness, or any song or piece of music that reminds us of a particular happy time in our past. So next time you are feeling down, put on Beethoven s Ode to Joy, I bet you will feel a lot better about whatever it was that was bothering you.

【推荐3】At the age of seven I started taking violin lessons. I practiced half an hour every day, went to lessons once a week, and played in a group concert from time to time. Like most kids, I’m not a big fan of practising. If my parents hadn’t been there to make me practice, I probably would have put down my violin and never have picked it up again.

I met Moira when I was 11 at an Irish music party. Moira hosted the party that night, playing the violin, singing and dancing. She made sure that everyone in the room got involved and had a great time. I immediately fell in love with the music she played and the energy that she brought to it. Just a few days after that party, I took my first lesson with Moira, and I continued taking lessons with Moira throughout middle school.

When I started playing the violin with Moira, playing music became something that I loved. She introduced me to so many types of music, from Irish to Old Time, to Cajun music. Moira also taught me to play the guitar. Soon we started performing together and were shocked to discover that people actually wanted to hear us! When I began to play the violin, practicing was something that I did at home in my living room, but under Moira’s influence it quickly became something that I did everywhere. I played on street corners, at festivals, at the beach, at parties, at weddings, and late at night in my friends’ kitchens.

Moira took the music out of the classroom and brought it to life. Her passion was not only for playing music, but also for sharing it. My time with Moira allowed me to grow both musically and personally. I have met so many special people and had so many memorable experiences. Moira has proven to be the most important influence in my musical development, and also my invaluable friend.