Music to make us, and them, grow
People as plants: the sounds that make us grow
I have been known by some to be ‘of the woo’- a curious explorer of the ‘new age’ world of chakras, power animals, crystals and even angels and aliens. I have held fascinating discussions with those who are not mere explorer but full-on devotees, having channelling chats with the aliens, leading laughter yoga workshops with the aim of bringing folk to a point of single-pointed consciousness through meditative howling. I love it when these contentious areas of numinosity cross over into discussions with friends more comfortable with scientific journals than discussions with hippies on hillsides for their sources of information, where we may find that the cross overs are rather enlightening. One idea frequently circulating on the rave scene is that of energy, vibes, resonant frequencies. There is ‘quantum healing’, Rupert Sheldrake’s ideas about ‘morphic resonance’ translating into ideas about dancefloor consciousness. Ravers describe being ‘washed’ or ‘massaged’ by music, and I’m sure most of us have felt the healing effects of a good jig. Anthropologists have drawn attention to the communitas of achieving frenzied states of dancing, although others have looked at dance more of a way as revealing distinctions between people. At certain ‘feel the love’ ecstatic dance and music events, hang drums and vibraphones are tuned into certain frequencies that are said to raise energy levels or stimulate feelings of love and openness. I have not attended such an event so cannot comment on these, although anyone who’s heard a hang drum played respectfully will know there’s something special about these precious instruments, like an inside-out steel drum and available only via personal communication to the makers in Bayern. But yesterday, reading the Royal Horticultural Society’s monthly magazine, I spotted a text box asking whether by talking or playing music to your plants, you could stimulate their growth. Apparently I am taking on the legacy of Prince Charles, who stated back in 1986 that he liked to talk to his plants, and that they liked it too. I am also reminded of a crueller time during our teenage years when we teased a friend spotted whispering sweet nothings to his window box. But, it would seem the toffs and geeks were rather in tune with the vibes, and it’s not an old idea either: in 1848 Gustav Fechner published Nanna (The Soul-Life of Plants). I could divulge deep into the anthropological realms of plant communication a la Terence McKenna, but in the name of scientific brevity, I merely give an overview of the experiments that have borne these out- the experiential revelations of those under the influence of ayahuasca etc can be kept for discussions in real-time. Rich Marini of Penn State University’s Horticulture department surmises that plants do respond to wind and vibration, perhaps as part of their strategies to survive in adverse conditions. A 2007 paper from scientists at South Korea’s National Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology proposed that two genes involved in a plant’s response to light-known as rbcS and Ald-are turned on by music played at 70 decibels, the level of normal human speech. A Canadian paper suggested that seed germination is influenced by sound at 92 decibels. Perhaps the 1970 compilation ‘Music to grow plants by’ might provide the extra frequency required. A young GI who devoted himself to wiping out hunger after witnessing a women deliberately crush her baby’s legs under a truck to secure government food aid was inspired by the idea, and developed music to stimulate plants’ stomata to ensure maximum fertilisation: ‘Sonic Bloom’. The resulting plants have been shown to be larger, higher in nutrients and capable of improving the soil- Dan Carlson has even had some success in reclaiming soils devastated by volcanic damage. Who knows: will you sing for your supper?
I have been known by some to be ‘of the woo’- a curious explorer of the ‘new age’ world of chakras, power animals, crystals and even angels and aliens. I have held fascinating discussions with those who are not mere explorer but full-on devotees, having channelling chats with the aliens, leading laughter yoga workshops with the aim of bringing folk to a point of single-pointed consciousness through meditative howling. I love it when these contentious areas of numinosity cross over into discussions with friends more comfortable with scientific journals than discussions with hippies on hillsides for their sources of information, where we may find that the cross overs are rather enlightening. One idea frequently circulating on the rave scene is that of energy, vibes, resonant frequencies. There is ‘quantum healing’, Rupert Sheldrake’s ideas about ‘morphic resonance’ translating into ideas about dancefloor consciousness. Ravers describe being ‘washed’ or ‘massaged’ by music, and I’m sure most of us have felt the healing effects of a good jig. Anthropologists have drawn attention to the communitas of achieving frenzied states of dancing, although others have looked at dance more of a way as revealing distinctions between people. At certain ‘feel the love’ ecstatic dance and music events, hang drums and vibraphones are tuned into certain frequencies that are said to raise energy levels or stimulate feelings of love and openness. I have not attended such an event so cannot comment on these, although anyone who’s heard a hang drum played respectfully will know there’s something special about these precious instruments, like an inside-out steel drum and available only via personal communication to the makers in Bayern. But yesterday, reading the Royal Horticultural Society’s monthly magazine, I spotted a text box asking whether by talking or playing music to your plants, you could stimulate their growth. Apparently I am taking on the legacy of Prince Charles, who stated back in 1986 that he liked to talk to his plants, and that they liked it too. I am also reminded of a crueller time during our teenage years when we teased a friend spotted whispering sweet nothings to his window box. But, it would seem the toffs and geeks were rather in tune with the vibes, and it’s not an old idea either: in 1848 Gustav Fechner published Nanna (The Soul-Life of Plants). I could divulge deep into the anthropological realms of plant communication a la Terence McKenna, but in the name of scientific brevity, I merely give an overview of the experiments that have borne these out- the experiential revelations of those under the influence of ayahuasca etc can be kept for discussions in real-time. Rich Marini of Penn State University’s Horticulture department surmises that plants do respond to wind and vibration, perhaps as part of their strategies to survive in adverse conditions. A 2007 paper from scientists at South Korea’s National Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology proposed that two genes involved in a plant’s response to light-known as rbcS and Ald-are turned on by music played at 70 decibels, the level of normal human speech. A Canadian paper suggested that seed germination is influenced by sound at 92 decibels. Perhaps the 1970 compilation ‘Music to grow plants by’ might provide the extra frequency required. A young GI who devoted himself to wiping out hunger after witnessing a women deliberately crush her baby’s legs under a truck to secure government food aid was inspired by the idea, and developed music to stimulate plants’ stomata to ensure maximum fertilisation: ‘Sonic Bloom’. The resulting plants have been shown to be larger, higher in nutrients and capable of improving the soil- Dan Carlson has even had some success in reclaiming soils devastated by volcanic damage. Who knows: will you sing for your supper?