I have received a couple of emails and several comments about a term that is used on this blog, and many other music sites, that is often misunderstood. The term is the “new age” part of new age music.

In this particular case, “new age” refers to a genre of music. It has no implications about the artist or anyone involved with the music. The artists within the “new age” music genre have belief systems just as diverse as any other population group.

Many are Christian, both Protestant and Catholic, some consider themselves spiritual rather than religious, others are Buddhist, Islamic, or are agnostic or atheist.

It is true that new age music evolved out of a spirituality that is growing in the world - a feeling of being closer to a Higher Power. Meditation, prayer, and consideration of life beyond the physical plane are now an active part of many people’s everyday routine. These practices are often accompanied by what is termed new age music.

The important thing is that a term does not give any indication as to an artist’s belief structure. Many artists are objecting to the term “new age” and wish for a better genre name; neoclassical, ambient, or contemporary instrumental are all possibilities.

For the purposes of this blog, I usually use the term neoclassical. I agree with the opinion of many of the artists because I don’t like labeling people. I see the “new age” genre as our current and contemporary form of classical music. Neoclassical fits the bill perfectly.

I love surfing the Internet for good music. Sometimes I find things that everyone in the world knows about but me. Today that is only partially true; Cecilia, an incredibly talented singer is known worldwide, and I believe her fame is only beginning to show itself in the United States.

Listening to Cecilia is reminiscent of Sarah Brightman, but the focus of her songs is different. Cecilia is all about healing people with her music. She hopes, in her words, to “give you hope and inspiration and a healing for your soul.” Her latest album is called, “The Healing Voice.”

Cecilia is a remarkable young woman. She was born in Norway, debuted in Australia and has a wide variety of vocal and musical training.

There are three samples of her latest album on the Web site. Listen and let them heal your soul. Her voice will speak to your soul with the gift of musical healing.

Cecilia - The Healing Voice

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.

I just found about an artist by the name of Jason Becker. Mr. Becker is an amazing person who has been dealt a really tough hand, but is facing it with grace and courage. Becker is a neoclassical guitarist, who was diagnosed in 1989 with ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. That was a lot longer ago than the three to five years his physicians gave him to live.

Chris Ruel, an avid fan, says that Becker’s trademarks are, “Virtuoso guitarist, purist neoclassical compositions that are melodical and accessible, blazing speed, articulate precision, awesome sweep picking, exotic scales, (and) pioneer of the neoclassical genre.”

Take some time to peruse Jason Becker’s site. His music is a little different than many of the neoclassical artists that you will hear, but it is worth your time. He is a very talented musician and we wish him only the best.

Jason Becker Official Web Site

Chris Ruel’s Fan Site