The Fight of Music Against the Pandemic: How Online Music Communities Help Us Heal
Don’t give up on music because of the virus! Even though musicians can’t gather in person like before, you can still perform, share, and learn music from the comfort of your home. Discover how an online music community can help keep you connected and inspired in times of crisis.
Music as a Weapon Against Fear
It’s not the first time the world has faced a pandemic, and it’s not the first time people have turned to music for strength. Music is a powerful tool for maintaining social bonds, essential for every human being, especially during physical distancing.
In 2020, a kind of duel emerged: music versus the pandemic. The music industry suffered major setbacks, losing more than 50% of its revenue due to restrictions on live tours and gatherings. But music did not stop — it traveled through livestreams, social media, and the online music community, spreading hope and solidarity like a true antidote.
Singing Together: Past and Present
Some might see singing songs of hope as strange during a pandemic, but musicologist Remi Chiu noted, “Music is proving to be a true antidote to fear, just as Renaissance doctors claimed.” Lowering fear and anxiety boosts the immune system, making music an unexpected but powerful defense.
In Italy, Spain, and Wuhan, people gathered on their balconies in 2020 to form spontaneous choruses. This was nothing new: during the 1576 plague in Milan, its 300,000 residents sang from their windows to encourage each other. These acts of collective singing remind us of the power of community — whether offline or through an online music community.
Music as Medicine Through History
Throughout history, music has been used to strengthen both mind and body. Renaissance doctors believed balancing the body’s “humors” was key to good health and prescribed music, drawing, and humor as treatment.
Even Pythagoras, one of the earliest scientists to study music systematically, played his lyre to calm troublemakers and restore harmony. Ancient civilizations in Egypt, Greece, and Babylon also used music for spiritual healing and to create stronger social bonds.
When epidemics hit Sparta, Lesbos, and even England, musicians like Thaletus, Terpander, and Henry VIII’s organist were seen as essential to help people stay resilient.
As Dr. Chris Macklin, former professor of musicology at Mercer University, put it: “Music was not a luxury in times of epidemic uncertainty – it was a necessity.”
The Power of Online Music Communities Today
Thanks to technology, we now have the benefit of online music communities to continue making music together, even while apart. Platforms like JamKazam, Soundtrack, Bandontheweb, and Guitarmasterclass.net allow musicians to collaborate virtually, share lessons, and perform for a global audience.
Livestream concerts and virtual jam sessions also help support artists whose incomes were devastated by COVID-19. An online music community lets you stay creative, learn new skills, and help musicians maintain their livelihoods.
Canyon Entertainment Group: Supporting Music During the Pandemic
Canyon Entertainment Group proudly contributes to the online music community by organizing livestream events, promoting local artists, and offering music training opportunities to keep the spirit of music alive.
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