Robert Gupta: Music is medicine, music is sanity

The Transformative Power of Music

Introduction to Nathaniel Ayers

• Steve Lopez, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, encounters Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless man playing a two-string violin in downtown Los Angeles.

• This encounter inspired Lopez's columns, which led to a book and subsequently a movie featuring Robert Downey Jr. as Lopez and Jamie Foxx as Ayers.

Nathaniel's Background

• Nathaniel was once a promising Juilliard-trained double bassist who dropped out due to paranoid schizophrenia, leading to his homelessness on Skid Row after 30 years.

• The bond between Lopez and Ayers is highlighted as music plays an essential role in their relationship.

First Meeting with Nathaniel

• In 2008, the speaker met Ayers at Walt Disney Concert Hall after he attended a performance of Beethoven’s symphonies.

• Despite his mental health struggles and refusal of treatment due to traumatic past experiences with it, Nathaniel expressed interest in taking violin lessons.

Initial Lessons and Challenges

• During their first lesson, Nathaniel exhibited signs of agitation and paranoia, discussing invisible demons and feeling poisoned in his sleep.

• To ease the situation, the speaker began playing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto instead of focusing on traditional teaching methods.

The Healing Power of Music

• As music played, there was a noticeable transformation in Nathaniel; he shifted from manic rage to calm curiosity.

• Their conversation flowed into various composers like Bach and Brahms; it became clear that Nathaniel had deep knowledge and passion for music.

Conclusion: Music as Medicine

• The experience illustrated how music serves as medicine for Nathaniel—providing sanity by allowing him to express his thoughts creatively.