Music has been an integral part of life since man has walked upright. Ancient cultures utilized music for religious, social, and medicinal purposes. Music has been passed down through the generations and celebrated as a link to the emotional, physical, and spiritual elements of our universe.
Science has not overlooked the direct correlation between music, sound, and the human brain. Studies have shown that specific physiological changes occur in the body when exposed to the resonant tones of music. According to cerebroment.com,
“Classical music from the baroque period causes the heart beat and pulse rate to relax to the beat of the music. Music affects the amplitude and frequency of brain waves, which can be measured by an electro-encephalogram. Music also affects breathing rate and electrical resistance of the skin. It has been observed to cause the pupils to dilate, increase blood pressure, and increase the heart rate.”
But science is only now playing catch-up to what the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations already knew. In their cultures, sound was a fundamental part of social, religious and spiritual traditions. In our second book “The Resonance Key: Exploring the Links Between Vibration, Consciousness, and the Zero Point Grid” we described the Aztec “death whistle” and it’s use in sacrificial ceremonies. I am fortunate to own an original, pre-Columbian death whistle, and am still learning how to play it. By modulating ones breath the whistle can produce an eerie melody of screeches, scrapes, and shrills.
Recently, while researching death whistles, I came across a musical composer by the name of Coyotzin (www.coyotzin.com) who specializes in playing ancient wind and percussion instruments. I emailed to ask of his familiarity with death whistles, and next thing I knew I had volunteered to review his CD!
Several days later a large envelope from Mexico appeared in my mailbox. After anxiously tearing it open, I discovered not one, but, 2 CD’s!
Coyotzin, Sorcerers of Antiquity (Primera parte)
Sacred Histories of the Mayas (Segunda parte)
Both cover graphics were very cool, and reminded me of Aztec / Mayan glyphs. But, as we all know, the real test of the music is on the inside, and I retreated to my home office where I immediately fired up iTunes, and loaded the first CD. Before putting on the headphones, I turned down the lights, relaxed on my leather couch, closed my eyes, and began to listen.
Eerie. My first thought is that much like my death whistle, Coyotzin’s music is peculiar and haunting. Using classic Meso-American musical instruments, the “songs” immediately transported me to another time and place. I literally felt as if I was deep within the dense, humid Yucatan, standing before the Temple of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza.
Did you happen to notice that “songs” was in quotation marks? Was that simply an editing omission? No. According to Webster’s Dictionary, song is defined as “a piece of music sung or suitable for singing.” Coyotzin’s compilation would be extremely difficult (if not impossible) to sing along to, therefore, it is difficult to truly classify this collection of sounds as songs.
If you have never had the opportunity to hear authentic Mayan or Aztec music then you are in for a real treat! It is like nothing you have ever experienced before… and nearly defies description. In fact, you might be a bit perplexed by the lack of “normal” melody, harmony, rhythm, and dynamics. To many, this may sound more like random noises and sound than song. Many of the tracks have a very shamanistic type sound, reminding me somewhat of Native American music. The sounds are deep and powerful, often with complex and unusual textures.
Coyotzin’s music is a refreshing break from the ho-hum, boring, and often-nonsensical garbage that seems to permeate the airwaves today. Listening to his work is unique, different, and allows one to “escape” to a completely different time and place. It certainly would not be difficult to imagine these sounds being played 4000+ years ago.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS AMAZING AND INSPIRING ARTIST AT