Our brains are a plethora of electrical activity. Were that electricity exposed, our brains might resemble the local power plant! That is probably an oversimplistic view of brain function, and it is enough to know that the brain produces different wave patterns according to the status of the mind. Alpha waves are all about relaxation; as quoted in Wikipedia alpha waves are, “predominantly found to originate from the occipital lobe during periods of relaxation, with eyes closed but still awake. Conversely alpha waves are attenuated with open eyes as well as by drowsiness and sleep. They are thought to represent the activity of the visual cortex in an idle state.”

Jean Synder, a musician from Florida, has studied the alpha patterns in the human brain and has composed music that promotes alpha wave activity, therefore inducing relaxation. She has been very successful in her attempt.

I listened to Synder’s sound clips for quite awhile. They are lilting, gentle, and like a cup of chamomile tea to quiet the mind.

There are clips of each piece of music. Purchasing them is only $.99 each and there is a nice gift of one mp3, “Spring,” at no cost.

Jean Synder at Solo Piano - mp3 samples and a free download.