<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">The traditional three-minute song format originated from early recording limitations, not physiological or regulatory concerns.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Despite advancements in technology, the cultural preference for short musical performances persists, limiting opportunities for extended musical experiences – altered mind states and a sense of ecstasy and euphoria.</li></ul>

Constraints of Traditional Music Formats

<ul><li>Music has ancient roots in ritual and trance, serving as a tool to induce altered mind states.</li><li>Ancient practices like Ptolemy's experiments with visual rhythm and observations of animal behavior demonstrate humanity's inherent connection to rhythmic stimuli.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Ritualistic musical experiences typically require around 10 minutes to induce trance-like states, a phenomenon observed across cultures.</li></ul>

Historical Context: Music as Ritual and Trance

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Visionary musicians like John Coltrane and innovative bands of the late 1960s challenged the constraints of traditional song lengths.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Extended musical compositions offer opportunities for deeper engagement, hypnotic effects, and altered perceptions of reality.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Embracing longer song forms can enrich musical experiences, transcending entertainment to tap into music's transformative potential.</li></ul>

The Push for Longer Musical Forms

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Throughout history, governments have regulated musical rituals due to concerns over public safety and behavior, such as the Roman Senate's prohibition of Bacchanalia (circa 186 AD).</li><li class="ql-align-justify">This historical precedent underscores the recognition of music's power to influence behavior and alter consciousness.</li></ul>

Historical Regulation and Government Intervention

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify"><a href="https://youtu.be/A_MjCqQoLLA?feature=shared">The Beatles - Hey Jude </a></li><li class="ql-align-justify"><a href="https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=KivrWPtQM4A">Ian Ethan Case - The Gift</a></li><li class="ql-align-justify"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpZHUVjQydI">John Coltrane - Blue train </a></li><li class="ql-align-justify"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0oWJPL-X2k">Huun‐Huur‐Tu - Chyraa-Khoor (Yellow Pacer) (Live on KEXP)</a></li></ul>

Bonus: Listen to these tracks and experience it yourself!

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Research by Dr. Barry Bitman highlights the health benefits of musical engagement, particularly drumming.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Playing drums for at least 10 minutes can lead to physiological changes, such as altered blood cell counts and increased antibody release.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Longer musical engagements correlate with greater health benefits, suggesting a minimum duration for reaping these rewards.</li></ul>

Physiological Benefits of Music

In this series of unscripted videos, Ted explores whether the three-minute pop song hurts music. Let's dive in!

This is the latest installment in a series of unscripted videos in which Ted Gioia addresses key matters related to music and society. "In these videos," Gioia explains, "I am aiming to provide an informal and conversational entry point into the 'big picture' issues in our current-day music culture."

In this installment, Gioia looks at the record industry's longstanding preference for three-minute songs, and explores the impact of this on our experiences of music.

This is the latest installment in a series of unscripted videos in which Ted Gioia addresses key matters related to music and society. "In these videos," Gioia explains, "I am aiming to provide an informal and conversational entry point into the 'big picture' issues in our current-day music culture."

For more information on Ted Gioia, visit his website at http://www.tedgioia.com or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/tedgioia.

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Ted Gioia is a music historian and author of 10 books, including The History of Jazz and Delta Blues, both honored as 'Notable Books of the Year' by the New York Times. His three books on the music of everyday life -- Work Songs (2006), Healing Songs (2006) and Love Songs (2016) -- have each been honored with the ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award. He has also participated in the music world as jazz educator, record producer, pianist, composer, vocalist, public speaker, and critic. He previously served on the faculty of Stanford University and holds degrees from Stanford University, Oxford University and Stanford's Graduate School of Business. In 2019, Basic Books will publish his provocative new work Music: A Subversive History. You can learn more about him at www.tedgioia.com.