Strike a chord

It is hard to imagine how Beethoven must have felt when he composed one of his masterpieces, Symphony No 9. It was at the time when he had gone completely deaf. As I listen to the last movement, Ode to Joy, I try to think about the sensory journey that Beethoven must have gone through: the vibrations of the piano keys that became the “music” he experienced and how the orchestral piece came from his own musicality.

Beethoven's story shows that music can be in any form, in any kind of composition, and can be interpreted in a million different ways. This applies not only to classical music but extends to the things that we have taken for granted: the sound of falling raindrops or the voice of our loved ones could be music to our ears. On the other hand, the honking noise when we are stuck in traffic and the clock ticking during sleepless nights could equally elevate our bad mood. Music has the power to strike a chord in our bodies and minds. Perhaps to people with disabilities, the simplest sound could be an efficient way of communication and a key to improving their wellbeing.

Music therapy is now allied to what we might think of as traditional bedside medicine. This comes from my personal observations. I have come to the final year of my doctorate degree, researching on dopaminergic neurones in Parkinson's disease. However, my study does not require me to see any patients. Even if I become the world's expert on this subject, what good will it serve if I cannot translate my knowledge to help people?

In the popular US medical drama House, Dr Gregory House explained that his job …