An ode to classical music

When it comes to flora, classical music also comes out on top. Mr Plant Geek, PPL PRS’s gardening expert provides an insight into the benefits that music can have on plant life. According to an October 2022 survey, 45% of gardening enthusiasts in the UK know that playing music around plants can aid in their growth, with 82% of respondents saying they do choose to play music while gardening. The most effective way to do this would be to place a wireless speaker close enough for the soundwaves to pass through to the stems and roots, play some classical music for just 3-4 hours a day, and watch your flowers bloom. Different genres can have different effects depending on the plant, for example, marigolds appear to react best to meditation music, whereas roses seem to respond the best to classical music, specifically the violin.

Classical music also has a great effect on our four-legged friends, calming them down in stressful situations. One of PPL PRS’s success stories is with Calder Vets. Natalie McQuire, their Lead Veterinary Surgeon, says that using a streaming service that plays mainly classical music has a calming effect, especially on their cat ward where it has a huge benefit on their feline patients’ wellbeing.

A particularly worrisome time for pet owners comes at the end of year, with Halloween, Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations bringing lively parties and fireworks. According to a 2022 survey of 400 dog owners in the UK, 64.8% of people said that fireworks cause their pets to feel more anxious and stressed than a trip to the vets or being left home alone. However, playing music has been proven to chill them out, with 44.1% of dog owners choosing to play classical music to help calm down their dogs.

Marianne Rizkallah is an expert music therapist, who offers knowledge on how music therapy affects the brain. She found that classical music is great for staying productive, and keeping focused. “Classical music is often instrumental, which is less of a distraction than music with lyrics, and has lots of repeated sections, so your ear can predict what’s coming next and isn’t listening out for too many tricks. While the volume in classical music can suddenly go up and down, if you choose “normalised” versions of your favourite pieces that means the volume has been smoothed out. The timbre or sound palate is often very smooth and lovely to have on in the background.”