Alpha wave music- what??

Honestly speaking, I had no idea that music has got dunno what different wave wave. I thought music is just music, you listen to what you like. But perhaps....if I use myself as an example, perhaps it tells you what the person lack. In my case, I'm probably always so hurried about in my work and life that I love to listen to classical, new age, instrumental. And when I'm very uppy and about, I go for Jazz, when I'm lagi more active - I go for vocal songs by Jim Brickman, Michael Buble, Vittorio. When I'm adventurous, I go for cuban music. I haven't hit the heavy metal part, I dunno where I will be then?

Okay, where shall I start from?
Once upon a time......

Let's just study about the brain waves first.

Brain waves are rhythmic pulsations of low voltage electrical current passing from one part of the brain to another.
There are four main types of brain waves: Beta (13-30 Hz), Alpha (8-12 Hz), Theta (4-8 Hz) and Delta (0.5-4 Hz).


Alpha brain wave
Alpha brain waves are associated with creativity, calmness, insight and centered energy. They occur at frequencies around 10 cycles per second (Hertz, Hz). They range from 8 to 13 Hz.
They are associated with closing of one's eyes. Alpha waves are associated with calmness and relaxation. Interestingly, when we pray, or when we meditate, we tend to close their eyes. Perhaps we are unwittingly trying to get ourselves into alpha states. People in alpha states are awake but relaxed.
Alpha brain wave indicates relaxation and meditation. It is a state of relaxed alertness good for inspiration, learning facts fast.

Distribution: regional, usually involves entire lobe; strong occipital w/eyes closed
Subjective feeling states: relaxed, not agitated, but not drowsy; tranquil, conscious
Associated tasks & behaviors: meditation, no action
Physiological correlates: relaxed, healing
Effects of Training: can produce relaxation
Sub band low alpha: 8-10: inner-awareness of self, mind/body integration, balance
Sub band high alpha: 10-12: centering, healing, mind/body connection

Beta brain wave
Beta brain wave indicates that your conscious mind is in control. It indicates a mental state of logical thought, analysis, and action. You are alert and awake talking, speaking, doing, solving problems, etc. Theta brain wave indicates deep meditation. This is associated with life-like imagination and is best for suggestibility and inspiration. This brain wave is dominant in children of age 2 to 5.
The beta band has a relatively large range, and has been divided into low, midrange and high.

Low Beta (12-15 Hz), formerly "SMR":

Distribution: localized by side and by lobe (frontal, occipital, etc)
Subjective feeling states: relaxed yet focused, integrated
Associated tasks & behaviors: low SMR can reflect "ADD", lack of focused attention
Physiological correlates: is inhibited by motion; restraining body may increase SMR
Effects of Training: increasing SMR can produce relaxed focus, improved attentive abilities,

Midrange Beta (15-18 Hz)

Distribution: localized, over various areas. May be focused on one electrode.
Subjective feeling states: thinking, aware of self & surroundings
Associated tasks & behaviors: mental activity
Physiological correlates: alert, active, but not agitated
Effects of Training: can increase mental ability, focus, alertness, IQ

High Beta (above 18 Hz):

Distribution: localized, may be very focused.
Subjective feeling states: alertness, agitation
Associated tasks & behaviors: mental activity, e.g. math, planning, etc.
Physiological correlates: general activation of mind & body functions.
Effects of Training: can induce alertness, but may also produce agitation, etc.

Gamma (above 36 Hz)

Gamma is measured between 36 – 44 (Hz) and is the only frequency group found in every part of the brain. When the brain needs to simultaneously process information from different areas, its hypothesized that the 40Hz activity consolidates the required areas for simultaneous processing. A good memory is associated with well-regulated and efficient 40Hz activity, whereas a 40Hz deficiency creates learning disabilities.

Gamma (40 Hz):

Distribution: very localized
Subjective feeling states: thinking; integrated thoughts
Associated tasks & behaviors: high-level information processing, "binding"
Physiological correlates: associated with information-rich task processing
Effects of Training: not known

Delta brain wave
Delta is the slowest of all four brain wave frequencies. Most commonly associated with deep sleep, certain frequencies in the Delta range also trigger the release of Human Growth Hormone so beneficial for healing and regeneration. This is why sleep - deep restorative sleep - the kind that Delta frequencies help induce is so essential to the healing process.

Delta is the brain wave signal of the subconscious, the seat from which intuition arises. That means Delta-based programs are not only an ideal choice for their sleep and deep regeneration potential, but also when you want to access your unconscious activity and help that wellspring of information flow to your conscious mind for clearing and for empowerment. Delta waves range between 0-4 HZ.

Delta (0.1-3 Hz):Distribution: generally broad or diffused may be bilateral, widespread
Subjective feeling states: deep, dreamless sleep, non-REM sleep, trance, unconscious
Associated tasks & behaviors: lethargic, not moving, not attentive
Physiological correlates: not moving, low-level of arousal
Effects of training: can induce drowsiness, trance, deeply relaxed states

Theta brain wave

Theta activity has a frequency of 3.5 to 7.5 Hz and is classed as "slow" activity. It is seen in connection with creativity, intuition, daydreaming, and fantasizing and is a repository for memories, emotions, sensations. Theta waves are strong during internal focus, meditation, prayer, and spiritual awareness. It reflects the state between wakefulness and sleep. Relates to subconscious.

It is abnormal in awake adults but is perfectly normal in children up to 13 years old. It is also normal during sleep. Theta is believed to reflect activity from the limbic system and hippocampal regions. Theta is observed in anxiety, behavioral activation and behavioral inhibition.

When the theta rhythm appears to function normally it mediates and/or promotes adaptive, complex behaviors such as learning and memory. Under unusual emotional circumstances, such as stress or disease states, there may be an imbalance of three major transmitter systems, which results in aberrant behavior.

Distribution: usually regional, may involve many lobes, can be lateralized or diffuse;
Subjective feeling states: intuitive, creative, recall, fantasy, imagery, creative, dreamlike, switching thoughts, drowsy; "oneness", "knowing"
Associated tasks & behaviors: creative, intuitive; but may also be distracted, unfocused
Physiological correlates: healing, integration of mind/body
Effects of Training: if enhanced, can induce drifting, trance-like state. If suppressed, can improve concentration, ability to focus attention

Oy! Scientist & researchers, can you all make life easier for us? Stop giving us bombastic names!!

So what exactly is Alpha wave music?

Music with a relaxed and positive aura, an emotional mix of Jazz, Pop and Soul with a touch of New Age. Also known in the USA as "Smooth Jazz" or "NAC", WAVE MUSIC combines soft, melodic sounds with cool, urban grooves – ideal for dreaming and relaxing.

What does it do?

"Alpha Wave Relaxation" is the process of calming the senses, centering the body and adjusting the thought waves to an alpha wave frequency in order to access the creative universe of the mind. It is a vital preparatory step to right brain learning because once the mind is in an alpha wave state, it can actively work with all the images stored in the vast chambers of the subconscious mind....Learning to relax has so many benefits; it increases love, it calms the senses and heals the body, and it helps you access the images stored in your memory."

So, I've been listening and enjoying alpha wave music all these while. It certainly didn't help me to "access the images store in my memory" coz' it relaxes me and puts me to sleep Zzzzzzzz......