Page 42 - NAMAH-Apr-2024

Musical Notes and Emotions

Dr. Riccardo Misto

Abstract
The article analyses the formal and therapeutic aspects of the musical scales used in the
practice of Nāda Yoga as a fundamental means to transform emotional energy blocks which,
on a psychosomatic basis, are considered one of the main causes of physical, physiological
and psychological problems. On the base of the monodic modal, the musical system used in
Indian classical music, it is possible to assign a precise emotional value to each of the notes
that make up an octave. This makes it possible to safely and objectively apply the singing
practice of sound patterns to any subject, regardless of nationality, culture and personal
experiences. Two cases are reported with details of this therapeutic practice.

Let’s consider the aspect of the emotional emotional response of anyone who listens (or
connection, which is very important and sings) these sound reports will be, regardless
fundamental in the practice of therapeutic of nationality, culture, age, gender or personal
a
musical scales and in the raga therapy system. history. This is because a mechanism relating
In the Indian musical system, the modal- to the so-called ‘unconditioned mind’ comes
monodic principle is followed, in which the into action: there are sounds that do not pass
use of harmony, the so-called vertical musical through the intellect and do not have to be
structure, given by the addition of at least stored in the mind to be identified, but have an
three different pitches (chord), is absolutely immediate reflection on their understanding
not taken into consideration. This method without conditioning the mind. They are very
allows you to clearly and unambiguously primitive sounds and are the pure reflection
assign a precise emotional value to the of emotions. Among these, the musical
1
various intervals obtained by relating the intervals (notes) , the harmonisation, which
different pitches (notes) to an immutable from an aesthetic-intellectual point of view is
base, called tonic or drone. This mechanism a very interesting and valid operation and can
allows you to know in advance what the give many more nuances, but from the point

1 Cfr. Shri Vemu Mukunda

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