Have you ever found yourself walking through a supermarket and suddenly realised that you’re humming along to the music playing quietly in the background? Music that’s familiar, even if, like many of us, you can’t remember the words after the first couple of lines!

That familiarity isn’t a coincidence, though. This subtle background sound is the result of a lot of careful research carried out by supermarkets. Research used to match the demographic of customers who shop at certain times of the day to the music that age-group grew up with. Consciously – or probably unconsciously – we relax as we hear the familiar strains – and, hope the supermarkets, linger longer and buy more of their goods.

Commercial interests aside, music plays a huge part in all our lives. Music can be very powerful in shaping how we feel. It can affect our mood, our emotions and even our behaviour. Music can trigger memories – both good and bad. Certain songs can reduce us to tears. While others have us dancing in the aisles! 

But it’s not just listening to music that’s important. Making music for yourself makes life better!! Whether playing an instrument or using your voice, music is an integral part of our existence. In this article (in issue 108 of iScot Magazine) I explore many of the ways to make music that are right on your doorstep. And they’re much more fun that you might expect!