"Meter is a music theoretical term for at least two levels of beat -- think of a march (double meter) or a waltz (triple meter)," he explained. Winkler added that meter may therefore come naturally to humans from day one, showing babies "are ready to 'understand' the world in a much more complex way than previously thought." The scientists now believe that the ability to perceive music develops in the womb along with the brain. They don't think it is just related to awareness of the mother's heartbeat. "Consider, if beat induction could be explained by sensing the heartbeat of the mother, why did not music develop in all animals?" Winkler asked. Winkler pointed out that prior studies have shown that music "presented repeatedly during the last month of pregnancy is 'recognized' by the brain of the infant after birth as well as that neonates are sensitive to the voice of their own mother compared to the voice of other females, so there is real learning in the womb." Yet another study, led by Stephen Malloch of the University of Western Sydney, discovered that babies who received "music therapy," consisting of a therapist gently singing to them, were less irritable and cried less than infants who received no such therapy. The positive effect of musical therapy for newborn infants may even provide health benefits. "It's likely the babies who received music therapy used up less energy when compared with the babies who did not receive the therapy," Malloch said. "If a baby is less irritable and cries less, this has implications for...healing and weight gain, two significant facts which contribute to the length of a hospital stay." Related Links: BBC: Babies Can Learn in the Womb |
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