History Main / MagicMusic

* ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam'' has the Dreambeats, which cause any ordinary person who hears them to immediately fall asleep. Antasma and Bowser use their power to knock out the population of Pi'illo Isle and use their dream energy to power the Dream Stone.

* The Mariachi Guys in ''VideoGame/PaperMarioStickerStar'' are able to provide enemies with a variety of stat boosts using their guitar tunes. While they never attempt to engage Mario in combat on their own, they'll FlashStep over to him and join in on any battles that are started within earshot of their music. Made more annoying by the fact that they'll run away if they're the only enemy left in battle, plus they're usually hiding in the field, which can make getting rid of them for good rather difficult.
* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' just loves to abuse this trope. The Pokéflute/Pokémon Whistle can magically wake Pokémon up. In ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'', in lieu of a Pokéflute, you can tune to a certain radio station to wake your Pokémon up. Another radio station, depending on the day of the week, an increase or decrease encounter rates with the Pokémon March and Pokémon Lullaby respectively. In ''Diamond'' and ''Pearl'', the event item Azure Flute is used to awaken Arceus. In fact, a good number of the [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Category:Sound-based_moves sound-based moves]] in the game are musical.

* ''Bedlam's Bard'': The main character in ths series by Creator/MercedesLackey is a Bard, which in that universe means he is possessed of fairly powerful Magic Music.

* ''Deathsong'': This obscure pulp horror novel by Douglas Borton is about a Lovecraftian cult that practices music-based black magic. Havoc ensues when they make enemies with a professional singer smart enough to learn songs by ear...

* ''Exiled: Clan of the Claw'': The Dancers of the Mrem use drums, dance, and, in at least one case, bagpipes to strengthen their psychic powers.

* ''The Fife of Bodhidharma'': In this Creator/CordwainerSmith short story, the fife can cause either serenity or madness, depending on how it is played.

* ''In the Company of Ogres'': In this work by A. Lee Martinez, the fish-like sirens can use a variety of songs to do things, the main one for seducing people, but there are others, including a song rarely used that can destroy almost anything in its way.

* ''Raine Benares'': In this Lisa Shearin series, spellsingers are a specialized type of magic user who can channel magic through their voices and cast spells through song. They are particularly effective at influencing emotions.

* ''The Spellsong Cycle'': In Creator/LEModesittJr's series, if you sing it, it happens, but the energy to make it happen comes from your body. Being accompanied by instruments or other spellsingers helps you do more impressive things without passing out due to exhaustion or starving to death. Most people in that book's universe never learn how to sing, because most wizards don't like having potential rivals around.
* ''Strega Nona'': Tomie dePaola's tale involves a cooking pot that can produce unending amounts of cooked pasta when sung to.

* ''Wody Głębokie Jak Niebo'': Some mages write their demon binding spells in the form of songs to make it harder for others to steal their work. Sirocco can control demons through her singing without binding them permanently.

* ''Film/{{Mothra}}'' and any subsequent films with the moth goddes make use of music via the shobijin faeries singing. Often it's to either awaken or empower Mothra.

* [[Literature/TolkiensLegendarium Tolkien's Legendarium]]: As explained in ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'', Arda, the world in which Middle-earth exists, was literally sung into being through the Ainulindalë, or the Music of the Ainur (the Ainur being a race of angelic beings created by the deity Eru Illuvatar). The [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Ainur]] actually laid out the shape and destiny of the universe by singing, so it makes sense that music would continue to have power within the physical world. As such, anyone with the genealogical clout - typically an Ainur or an exceptionally skilled/powerful elf - and lyrical ability can perform a lot of subtle and overt magic, literally shaping the world around them through words and song:

* Most of the combat system in ''VideoGame/DoubleDragon Neon'' revolves around collecting mixtapes to gain statboosts and new abilities and attacks, and using the Tapesmith to make them stronger via mythril.
* In ''VideoGame/Drakengard3'' the power of the Intoners is based around songs. If they enter [[SuperMode Intoner Mode]] they begin singing along with the backround music and become ridiculously strong. They can also use their singing to help their disciple [[SummonMagic summon giant magical creatures]] [[spoiler: without paying a price]]. If they are sufficiently strong they can summon them by themselves. [[spoiler:However their songs seem to have unintentional [[BrownNote side]] [[BodyHorror effects]].]]

* The Bard class from ''VideoGame/EdenEternal'' uses their music to attack and buff themselves and their teammates, playing either a lilting melody or a [[RuleOfCool death metal ballad]].

A type of FunctionalMagic that works via music, where singing a certain song or playing a magical instrument causes spell-like effects to occur. This may be derived from the notion of words containing legitimate power when spoken (somewhat akin to [[LanguageOfMagic true name magic]]).

A WanderingMinstrel, MagicalFlutist or [[TheMusicMeister Music Meister]] may have this as their main method of fighting. The MusicalAssassin is a particularly nasty variant. Often shows up as the SubTrope, MindControlMusic, or it can buff allies in a justified ThemeMusicPowerUp.

* [[Literature/TolkiensLegendarium Tolkien's Legendarium]]: As explained in ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'', Arda, the world in which Middle-earth exists, was literally sung into existence through the Ainulindalë, or the Music of the Ainur (the Ainur being a race of angelic beings created by the deity Eru Illuvatar). The [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Ainur]] actually laid out the shape and destiny of the universe by singing, so it makes sense that music would continue to have power within the physical world. As such, anyone with the genealogical clout - typically an Ainur or an exceptionally skilled/powerful elf - and lyrical ability can perform a lot of subtle and overt magic, literally shaping the world around them through words and song:

* [[Literature/TolkiensLegendarium Tolkien's Legendarium]]: As explained in ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'', Arda, the world in which Middle-earth exists, was literally sung into existence through the Ainulindalë, or the Music of the Ainur (the Ainur being a race of angelic beings created by the deity Eru Illuvatar). The [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Ainur]] actually laid out the shape and destiny of the universe by singing, so it makes sense that music would continue to have power within the physical world. As such, anyone with the genealogical and lyrical clout can perform a lot of subtle and overt magic, literally shaping the world around them through words and song:
** Finrod, an elf of the Noldor clan and the eldest brother of Galadriel, dueled with Sauron by chanting songs of power. [[spoiler:He lost.]]

* ''Literature/BedlamsBard'': The main character in ths series by Creator/MercedesLackey is a Bard, which in that universe means he is possessed of fairly powerful Magic Music.

* ''Literature/{{Deathsong}}'': This obscure pulp horror novel by Douglas Borton is about a Lovecraftian cult that practices music-based black magic. Havoc ensues when they make enemies with a professional singer smart enough to learn songs by ear...

* ''Literature/TheTreacheryOfBeautifulThings'': The piper can [[WeatherControl whip up storms]] and [[GreenThumb cause roses to entangle Jack.]]

* ''Bedlam's Bard'': The main character in ths series by Creator/MercedesLackey is a Bard, which in that universe means he is possessed of fairly powerful Magic Music.
* ''Book of a Thousand Days'': Creator/ShannonHale's character Dashti uses this to heal various ailments.

* ''Deathsong'': This obscure pulp horror novel by Douglas Borton is about a Lovecraftian cult that practices music-based black magic. Havoc ensues when they make enemies with a professional singer smart enough to learn songs by ear...

* ''The Music of Erich Zann'': Creator/HPLovecraft used this trope. Though strange, bizarre, or unearthly music often features in his works, this is the only case of the music itself having power.

** ''Literature/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'': Mr. Tumnus plays a tune on his flute that has an apparent magical effect on Lucy Pevensie (while this literally puts her into an enchanted sleep in the [[Film/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe film]] from Disney/Walden Media, the music's power is more psychological and ambiguous in the book; Lucy herself is not entirely sure what happened, only that a great deal of time seems to have passed).

** ''Literature/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'': Mr. Tumnus plays a tune on his flute that has an apparent magical effect on Lucy Pevensie (while this literally puts her into and enchanted sleep in the [[Film/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe film]] from Disney/Walden Media, the music's power is more psychological and ambiguous in the book; Lucy herself is not entirely sure what happened, only that a great deal of time seems to have passed).

** ''Literature/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'': Mr. Tumnus plays a tune on his flute that makes Lucy Pevensie (while this effect is made literal in the [[Film/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe film]] from Disney/Walden Media, the music's power is more psychological and ambiguous in the book).

* [[Literature/TolkiensLegendarium Tolkien's Legendarium]]: As explained in ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'', Arda, the world in which Middle-earth exists, was literally sung into existence through the Ainulindalë, or the Music of the Ainur (the Ainur being a race of angelic beings created by the deity Eru Illuvatar). The [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Ainur]] actually laid out the shape and destiny of the universe by singing, so it makes sense that music would continue to have power within the physical world. As such, anyone with the genealogical and lyrical clout can perform a lot of subtle and overt magic. Finrod the elf (the brother of Galadriel) sang an illusion into existence, then dueled with Sauron by chanting songs of power. [[spoiler: Finrod lost.]] Lúthien Tinúviel (the direct ancestor of Arwen Evenstar) would later use her music in a duel with Sauron. [[spoiler:She ''won'']] Other characters who could exercise magical abilities through singing include Tom Bombadil and Old Man Willow.

* Robert Rankin: One of his novels features Christeen, sister of Christ (written out of Literature/TheBible by the Church), a singer whose voice cures injuries and illness.
* [[Literature/TolkiensLegendarium Tolkien's Legendarium]]: As explained in ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'', Arda, the world in which Middle-earth exists, was literally sung into existence through the Ainulindalë, or the Music of the Ainur (the Ainur being a race of angelic beings brought into existence by the deity Eru Illuvatar). The [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Ainur]] actually laid out the shape and destiny of the universe by singing, so it makes sense that music would continue to have power within the physical world. As such, anyone with the genealogical and lyrical clout can perform a lot of subtle and overt magic. Finrod the elf (the brother of Galadriel) sang an illusion into existence, then dueled with Sauron by chanting songs of power. [[spoiler: Finrod lost.]] Lúthien Tinúviel (the direct ancestor of Arwen Evenstar) would later also use her music in a duel with Sauron. [[spoiler:She ''won'']] Other characters who could exercise magical abilities through singing include Tom Bombadil and Old Man Willow.

** ''The Gutbucket Quest'', involved a musician transported to a parallel Earth where music and magic were the same thing. The plot involved going on a quest for a magical electric guitar and invoking the loa of Voodoo with [[ThePowerOfRock the power of Rock and Roll]] to defeat a corporate demon. (Simple, straightforward storytelling - gotta love it.)

* [[Literature/TolkiensLegendarium Tolkien's Legendarium]]: As explained in ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'', Arda, the world in which Middle-earth exists, was literally sung into existence through the Ainulindalë, or the Music of the Ainur (the Ainur being a race of angelic beings brought into existence by the deity Eru Illuvatar). The [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Ainur]] actually laid out the shape and destiny of the universe by singing, so it makes sense that music would continue to have power within the physical world. As such, anyone with the genealogical and lyrical oomph can perform a lot of subtle and overt magic. Finrod the elf (the brother of Galadriel) sang an illusion into existence, then dueled with Sauron by chanting songs of power. [[spoiler: Finrod lost.]] Lúthien Tinúviel (the direct ancestor of Arwen Evenstar) would later also use her music in a duel with Sauron. [[spoiler:She ''won'']] Other characters who could exercise magical abilities through singing include Tom Bombadil and Old Man Willow.

* In ''Literature/AnansiBoys'' by Creator/NeilGaiman, music was used to create the world, and a sufficiently gifted singer can use songs to cause a RealityWarp. (It helps that the characters in question are [[spoiler: the spider-god Anansi and his descendants]].)
* In Lackey's ''Literature/BardicVoices'' series, most of the protagonists have this ability.
* The main character in the ''Bedlam's Bard'' series by Creator/MercedesLackey is a Bard, which in that universe means he is possessed of fairly powerful Magic Music.
* In Creator/ShannonHale's ''Book of a Thousand Days'', Dashti uses this to heal various ailments.
* Central to the ''Literature/ChantersOfTremaris'' trilogy, where virtually all magic is performed through songs, called "chantments".
* Creator/DianaWynneJones' ''Literature/{{Chrestomanci}}'': In ''The Magicians of Caprona'', this is how most spells work. A particularly amusing example occurs when one of the children decides to use the most powerful song spell ever created, used to drive out an evil devil centuries ago, but with the words changed around to clean the dinner dishes. While it did make the dishes look clean, it backfired when for weeks afterward, anything eaten or cooked with those dishes wound up having a greasy, soapy taste. Oops.

** In TheFilmOfTheBook ''The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe'', Mr. Tumnus literally plays Lucy to sleep with a Narnian lullaby (and a really neat flute); the effects are more psychological and ambiguous in the book.
** "The Emerald Witch" uses magic music (and fire) to work her MoreThanMindControl in ''The Silver Chair''.
** Aslan creates Narnia with a magic song in ''Literature/TheMagiciansNephew''. This may have been inspired by Middle Earth, as Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were good friends.
* In Lloyd Alexander's ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfPrydain'', the bard Fflewddur Fflam carries an enchanted harp. His music is not normally magical, but in the last book, ''The High King'', he uses the harp to keep the party from freezing to death. It starts to play by itself when [[spoiler:he burns it]], giving them the courage to finish the journey. The harp also tends to stretch its strings whenever its owner stretches the truth. As Fflewddur is a born storyteller, many broken strings ensue.
* In ''Lord Fouls Bane'' from the ''Literature/ChroniclesOfThomasCovenant'' the Giant Saltheart Foamfollower uses singing to control the boat he is riding down a river. Lord Mhoram also uses a song to summon the Forestal Caerroil Wildwood.

* The obscure pulp horror novel ''Deathsong'', by Douglas Borton, is about a Lovecraftian cult that practices music-based black magic. Havoc ensues when they make enemies with a professional singer smart enough to learn songs by ear...
* In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' novel ''Literature/SoulMusic'', the Guitar has some kind of magic, being the embodiment of ThePowerOfRock. Several other magical instruments appear in TheLittleShopThatWasntThereYesterday or are mentioned by Glod as "things that turn up occasionally". In these cases, the magic is purely in the instrument; ''Literature/{{Maskerade}}'' says magic and music are so similar that you can only do one of them.
* In the ''Literature/DoraWilkSeries'', the [[FairFolk Elves]] can use music to compel minds to their will. The example shown, an elven boy, uses guitar music to keep people away from him and his sister, but makes Dora come to them.

* Being based on a ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' setting, the ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'' novels have a lot of these.

* In ''Literature/TheEchoriumSequence'', the Singers of the titular Echorium use five "Songs of Power" to heal, manipulate, punish, or induce living death.
* Hence, hardly unsurprising that the Lanorei race in ''Literature/{{Eludoran}}'' could achieve magical effects through singing, as the work in question is an AffectionateParody of Creator/JRRTolkien's [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Middle-earth]]. Notable examples include Faolan, who could [[PersonOfMassDestruction shatter mountains with a whisper]]; and Malachi who is reputedly even stronger. Also, his cousin Lorelei created a physical disguise for her friend by singing an illusion spell, which was apparently so realistic it made their enemy [[HellYesMoment die of fright on the spot]]. It makes [[ItMakesSenseInContext sense in context]] as the Lanorei are a race of [[FunnyAnimal anthropomorphic canines]] (mostly wolves) who have raised song and music into communication and artform.

* In the shared universe novel ''Exiled: Clan of the Claw'' the Dancers of the Mrem use drums, dance, and, in at least one case, bagpipes to strengthen their psychic powers.
* In Mike Carey's ''Literature/FelixCastor'' novels, the main character gets rid of spirits with cantrips played on his tin flute. However, he has to "get the feel" of the ghost first by spending time around it and learning its habits.
* In the Creator/CordwainerSmith short story ''The Fife of Bodhidharma'', the fife can cause either serenity or madness, depending on how it is played.
* Creator/NeilGaiman's ''Literature/HowToTalkToGirlsAtParties'' has a poem that is either magical or [[ClarkesThirdLaw eldritch science so advanced it might as well be]], which walks up to the narrator in [[HumanoidAbomination the form of a beautiful redhead named Triolet]]. The narrator hears part of it, giving him visions of the doomed world where it was crafted, although his friend drags him out of the party before he can hear it all -- and, given that it is indicated to be infectious and capable of rendering a species extinct in only a few generations, this is probably for the best.

* In ''In the Company of Ogres'' by A. Lee Martinez, the fish-like sirens can use a variety of songs to do things, the main one for seducing people, but there are others, including a song rarely used that can destroy almost anything in its way.
* The sage Väinämöinen of the Finnish national epic ''Literature/TheKalevala''. All magic in the ''Kalevala'' is done through singing. A natural choice, as the entire epic is done in poetic verse designed to be sung, accompanied by playing a ''kantele'' (a wooden harp).
* In Creator/ChinaMieville's ''Literature/KingRat'', an evil Pied Piper uses music to wrest control of whole classes of animal, by taking control of those animals' totemic leaders. He also uses music to control humans. [[spoiler:And that's ''before'' he gets the idea of cutting a mix tape, so he can control more than one creature-type at a time...]]
* In ''Literature/TheLaundryFiles'' by Creator/CharlesStross, Dominique O'Brien plays an Erich Zann violin to fight eldritch horrors. Unfortunately for her (not to mention the world), the violin [[EvilWeapon isn't exactly on her side or under her control.]]
* In the ''Literature/{{Lythande}}'' stories, the titular character is a WanderingMinstrel and mercenary mage.

* Creator/HPLovecraft used this trope in ''The Music of Erich Zann''. Though strange, bizarre, or unearthly music often features in his works, this is the only case of the music itself having power.
* A non-musical poetry variant in Creator/AndreiBelyanin's ''Literature/MyWifeIsAWitch'' duology. The protagonist, Sergey, is a humble poet who finds out that the HotLibrarian he married is a powerful witch. After she vanishes into the [[MagicalLand dark worlds]], he goes to find her, only to discover that his poetry now works like (sometimes devastating) spells. He later discovers that there is a prophecy about a "witch's husband", since witches never marry, who is supposed to be the most powerful sorcerer who ever lived.
* In Creator/NeilGaiman's ''Literature/{{Neverwhere}}'', there is a tune that causes anyone who hears it to give money to the person playing it. Of course, they end up nearly ''killing'' the guy, but still... The MagnificentBastard who taught it ''did'' warn that a little went a long way... and picked up a second favor for teaching the street musician the counter ditty.
* The ''Literature/OldKingdom'' series by Creator/GarthNix: Necromancers' bells can do some dangerous stuff. Different bells give different effects, and the effect also depends on how the bell is rung. The seventh and final bell, Astarael, [[BrownNote kills everyone who hears it]] — including the player. More significantly in a setting with functioning necromancy, it sends them "deep into death", killing all but the most powerful victims DeaderThanDead so they cannot return, and at least delaying the return of the rest longer than other methods. Besides the bells, it's mentioned that necromancers and Abhorsens ''have'' to be good at music to be able to use their power.
* ''Literature/ThePiedPiperOfHamelin''. The Pied Piper used his piping to first lure the rats of Hamelin to their deaths, then later to abduct the children of the town after the people refused to pay him for his services.
* In ''Literature/RachelGriffin'', the three main protagonists learn music as their branch of magic: [[PrincessClassic Nastasia]] plays [[ElegantClassicalMusician a violin]], Rachel [[MagicalFlautist a flute]], and [[KidHero Sigfried]] [[PersonalityPowers a trumpet]].
* In Lisa Shearin's ''Raine Benares'' series, spellsingers are a specialized type of magic user who can channel magic through their voices and cast spells through song. They are particularly effective at influencing emotions.

* Essential to death magic in ''Literature/ShamanBlues''. Necromancers can hear "Earth's song" and raise the dead by singing back, and pretty much entire shamanism revolves around right rhythms and songs, used to send ghosts back to the aether, to manipulate them, and to call them in.
* Terry Brooks's world of ''Literature/{{Shannara}}'' has the ''wishsong'', in which several protagonists, all elven descendants, can create potent melodies of creation and destruction.

* In the ''Literature/{{Spellsinger}}'' series by Alan Dean Foster, the Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like An Eagle" is one of the most powerful magic forces in the universe. It summons the elemental personification of ''the universe itself'', but decreases the lifespan of the universe slightly each time it's used. Generally, the title Spellsingers are mages who work their magic by singing and playing musical instruments. And there is our protagonist, Jon Tom, who is an American student spirited away to this world and who sings rock songs to produce unpredictable results.
* Creator/LEModesittJr wrote a series named ''The Spellsong Cycle'' in which, if you sing it, it happens, but the energy to make it happen comes from your body. Being accompanied by instruments or other spellsingers helps you do more impressive things without passing out due to exhaustion or starving to death. Most people in that book's universe never learn how to sing, because most wizards don't like having potential rivals around.
* Tomie dePaola's tale ''Strega Nona'' involves a cooking pot that can produce unending amounts of cooked pasta when sung to.
* Rhapsody (the main character of Elizabeth Haydon's ''Literature/SymphonyOfAges'' series) is a Singer, meaning she can use magic channeled through her voice... possibly (the effects of her voice and the definition of "Singer" seem to vary from scene to scene, let alone book to book).
* Creator/TamoraPierce's ''Literature/TortallUniverse'': In the last book of the ''Literature/ProtectorOfTheSmall'' quartet, Numair Salmalín uses a flute tune called the Sorcerer's Dance (stated by WordOfGod to [[ShoutOut refer to]] the Sorcerer's Apprentice music) to move boulders for strengthening a wooden palisade. Although the spell is said to be absurdly simple, Numair jacks it up several orders of magnitude by bringing particularly large boulders from ''ten miles away''.

* In Creator/RuthFrancesLong's ''Literature/TheTreacheryOfBeautifulThings'', the piper can [[WeatherControl whip up storms]] and [[GreenThumb cause roses to entangle Jack.]]

* The Creator/ArthurCClarke story ''The Ultimate Melody'' revolved around a scientist attempting to reproduce the primal tune from which all music is derived. He succeeded, but on hearing the song, [[BrownNote caught it in his head for the rest of his life]], rendering him catatonic. On discovering him, his assistant shut off the machine playing the tune, and it was dismantled before it could be reactivated; the assistant was immune to the effect due to being tone-deaf.
* ''Literature/WarForTheOaks'' by Emma Bull ends with [[spoiler:a duel between the lead singer of a rock band and [[TheFairFolk the Queen of the Unseelie Court]] for the fate of the city. By this point, the singer's discovered how to use her music to fuel the "glamour" that faeries can use naturally.]]

* In the ''Literature/WarsOfLightAndShadow'' series by Creator/JannyWurts, bards are capable of some remarkable feats of magic through their music, be it with an instrument or voice alone. Effects range from manipulating emotions, to activating ancient power sources capable of destroying a city, to redirecting surges through those power sources and restoring natural seasonal patterns, to making half an army stand down. According to hints dropped so far, this is the ''lower'' end of what's possible.
* ''Literature/TheWayfarerRedemption'' series by Sara Douglas has magic by music. Its only limitation being that you can't heal anyone unless they're on the brink of death.

* In ''Wody Głębokie Jak Niebo'' some mages write their demon binding spells in the form of songs to make it harder for others to steal their work. Sirocco can control demons through her singing without binding them permanently.

* [[Literature/TolkiensLegendarium Tolkien's Legendarium]]: As explained in ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'', Arda, the world in which Middle-earth exists, was literally sung into existence through the Ainulindalë, or the Music of the Ainur (the Ainur being a race of angelic beings brought into existence by the deity Eru Illuvatar). The [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Ainur]] actually laid out the shape and destiny of the universe by singing, so it makes sense that music would continue to have power within the physical world. As such, anyone with the genealogical and lyrical oomph can perform a lot of subtle and overt magic. Finrod the elf (the brother of Galadriel) sang an illusion into existence, then dueled with Sauron by chanting songs of power. [[spoiler: Finrod lost.]] Lúthien Tinúviel (the direct ancestor of Arwen Evenstar) would later also use her music in a duel with Sauron. [[spoiler:She ''won'']] Other characters who could exercise magical abilities through singing include Tom Bombadil and Old Man Willow.

A type of FunctionalMagic that works via music: playing a certain song or a magical instrument that causes a spell-like effect to happen. This may have derived from the premise of there being legitimate power within the words one uses, which is somewhat akin to [[LanguageOfMagic true name magic]] in this regard.

A WanderingMinstrel, MagicalFlutist or [[TheMusicMeister Music Meister]] may have this as their main method of fighting. The MusicalAssassin uses a particularly nasty variant. Often shows up as the SubTrope, MindControlMusic, or also commonly it can buff allies in a justified ThemeMusicPowerUp.

Ocarinas are a popular instrument for this. Perhaps this is due to its ancient history or its simple yet exotic sound. Maybe it's because [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]] [[TropeCodifier used one]] in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime''. It certainly doesn't hurt that they are easily portable which justifies their use in a more action-packed adventure.

Speaking of "ancient history", this trope is definitely OlderThanFeudalism (the tales of Orpheus date as far back as 5th century BC) and possibly OlderThanDirt.

* Creator/PiersAnthony's books:
** ''Literature/ApprenticeAdept'' series, it's made explicit that, although Blue's magic can be invoked simply with rhyme, the spells are dramatically stronger if sung (and stronger still if he uses a musical instrument before reciting his chosen spell).
** His ''Literature/{{Xanth}}'' novels feature triplets named Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm, who can "sing and play things real". This can mean anything from turning a girl into a sentient castle to time travel, and they can even identify (though not counter) the magic of the Demons, Xanth's equivalent of gods. Nona, from the Mode series, is fated to overthrow her world's rulers; she can convert others to her cause with a song. Later, she teaches a dragon to stun rats by singing, allowing it to feed on them instead of villagers and completely overhauling a planet's social structure (although Nona didn't come up with the idea). And, as mentioned above, ''Being a Green Mother'' in the ''Incarnations'' series is magic music incarnate.

* One of Robert Rankin's novels features Christeen, sister of Christ (written out of Literature/TheBible by the Church), a singer whose voice cures injuries and illness.
* Several characters in Creator/JRRTolkien's [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Middle-earth]] stories, including ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'', could achieve magical effects through singing, including Tom Bombadil, Old Man Willow and Lúthien Tinúviel. It helps that Arda, the world of Middle-earth, was literally sung into existence through the Ainulindalë (Music of the Ainur), so anyone with the genealogical and lyrical oomph can do a lot of subtle and overt magic. Finrod the elf sang an illusion into existence, then dueled with Sauron by chanting songs of power. [[spoiler: Finrod lost.]] Lúthien would later also use her music in a duel with Sauron. [[spoiler:She ''won'']]. In the prelude of ''The Silmarillion'', the [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Ainur]] actually lay out the shape and destiny of the universe by singing, so it sort of makes sense that music would continue to have power within the physical world.

* The Hunting Horn weapon in the ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' series can bestow its player and their allies with a huge variety of different beneficial effects that emulate those of various items and equipment skills, such as healing, status ailment removal, and immunity to monster roars. Each horn has a limited selection of songs it can play for the sake of keeping it balanced, though.
** The Qurupeco is able to produce similar benefits for itself and other monsters in its vicinity by singing. However, hitting its throat sac before it finishes a song can cause it to mess up and heal/buff you, instead.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'' has the harp, which is stated from the very beginning to have been passed down by the goddess. [[FairyCompanion Fi]] also dances along to the songs that Link plays. ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOracleGames Oracle of Ages]]'' also has a harp, which is used to travel through time.
*** Notably the Goddess harp is the same harp Sheik uses in ''Ocarina of Time'' to teach Link that game's magic music, having been held onto by the Royal Family of Hyrule after it's founded by ''Skyward Sword'' Zelda or some descendant. Sheik uses the harp as a weapon in ''Hyrule Warriors'' as well, and Zelda is shown holding it in the first cut scene of that game.

** If you play too long, a character labelled SCP-1987-J-1 (calls himself names like "Count Rockula" and "Lord of the Strings") will appear and demand you stop playing or challenge him to a guitar duel, which he invariably wins, causing the player to [[BalefulPolymorph polymorph]] into a middleaged white guy named Earl who works in a garage. These are now being treated as D-class due to there being far more than is needed to maintain the site's motor pool.

Ocarinas are a popular instrument for this. Perhaps this is due to its ancient history, or its simple, yet exotic sound. Maybe it's because [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]] [[TropeCodifier used one]] in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime''. It certainly doesn't hurt that they are easily portable which justifies their use in a more action-packed adventure.

DiscoTech is the tech equivalent. Compare with ThePowerOfRock, BrownNote and, MagicDance. Also see the SubTrope, MindControlMusic.

* Diva's song from ''Anime/BloodPlus''. It's beautiful, it's heart-breaking, and it [[BodyHorror transforms innocent people]] into ''[[OurVampiresAreDifferent horrible bloodthirsty bat-demon-things]]''. It's worth noting that her song is mainly the ''catalyst'' for the transformation; the potential is given by having people unknowingly digest her processed and altered blood.

* In ''Anime/CorrectorYui'', Yui and her friends Haruna, [[ThoseTwoGuys Reiko and Akiko]] were rehearsing a song for their SchoolFestival. it becomes a plot point later, when [[spoiler:Yui's IKnowYouAreInThereSomewhereFight speech to a BrainwashedAndCrazy Haruna includes her singing the same song instead of fighting her, breaking through Haruna's brainwashing an reverting her back to who she usually is.]] Later, [[spoiler:Professor Inukai uses Yui's singing as a part of his battle strategy against the BigBad, who is weak against certain sounds, and Haruna returns the favor to Yui by singing the song to her when she's about to lose the battle against Grosser, giving Yui her strength back so she can keep on fighting.]]

** There's a song that causes all listeners to engage in bloody combat, a song that acts as the main character's ThemeMusicPowerUp, a song that puts everyone to sleep, and a song that causes everyone within earshot to dance uncontrolably.

** ''Anime/HappinessChargePrettyCure'' has Cure Honey sing a song about eating rice to purify villains. Later on in the series, [[spoiler:all four girls girls get to sing a song called "Innocent Harmony" that purifies villains.]]

* ''Fanfic/TheCadanceverse'' is an AlternateUniverse where the Element Bearers are various musicians (Octavia, Vinyl Scratch, Lyra, Bluenote, Medley and Fluttershy) and [[spoiler:the Elements themselves take the form of their preferred instruments, allowing them to defeat the corrupted Princesses with a magical concerto]].

*** As an Alicorn god of Music, Blue Goldstone has similar powers as Blue Suede Heartstrings and other fellow Music deities. He can create a magical drum set with his own magic and do various percussion-based spells, such as [[SuperEmpowering empowering/invigorating listeners]], compelling his enemies to [[InvoluntaryDance dance to his rhythms]], and [[HealingHands healing his allies]]. He can also wield [[MakeSomeNoise sonokinetic magic]], allowing him to [[MakeMeWannaShout unleash powerful, disorienting screams]], nullify sound indefinitely, and send destructive shockwaves through the air or [[EarthquakeMachine through the ground to make earthquakes]]. The fact that most of his spells are percussion-based really comes in handy with deaf people, as he can help them by stomping his hooves on the ground and send music-based vibrations to them.

** This is how the Mane Six summon John to Equestria in the first place, through what is heavily-implied to be the original WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyAndFriends theme.

* ''Film/{{Mothra}}'' and any subsequent films with the moth goddes make use of music via the shobijin faeries singing. Often its to either awaken or empower Mothra.

** His ''Literature/{{Xanth}}'' novels feature triplets named Melody, Harmony and Rhythm, who can "sing and play things real". This can mean anything from turning a girl into a sentient castle to time travel, and they can even identify (though not counter) the magic of the Demons, Xanth's equivalent of gods. Nona, from the Mode series, is fated to overthrow her world's rulers; she can convert others to her cause with a song. Later, she teaches a dragon to stun rats by singing, allowing it to feed on them instead of villagers and completely overhauling a planet's social structure (although Nona didn't come up with the idea). And, as mentioned above, ''Being a Green Mother'' in the ''Incarnations'' series is magic music incarnate.
** ''The Gutbucket Quest'', involved a musician transported to a parallel Earth where music and magic were the same thing. The plot involved going on a quest for a magical electric guitar and invoking the loa of Voodoo with [[ThePowerOfRock the power of Rock and Roll]] to defeat a corporate demon. (Simple, straight-forward storytelling - gotta love it.)

* Creator/DianaWynneJones' ''Literature/{{Chrestomanci}}'': In ''The Magicians of Caprona'', this is how most spells work. A particularly amusing example occurs when one of the children decide to use the most powerful song spell ever created, used to drive out an evil devil centuries ago, but with the words changed around to clean the dinner dishes. While it did make the dishes look clean, it backfired when for weeks afterward, anything eaten or cooked with those dishes wound up having a greasy, soapy taste. Oops.

** In Creator/RobertEHoward's story "Literature/RedNails" the enemies get through using piping for a form of magic.
** In ''Literature/TheHourOfTheDragon'' the {{Necromancer}} uses drum magic.

* In the ''Literature/DoraWilkSeries'', the [[FairFolk Elves]] can use music to compel minds to their will. The example shown, an elven boy, uses guitar music to keep people away from him and his sister, but make Dora come to them.
* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'': In ''Literature/DeadBeat'', we learn that necromancers require a steady rhythm to maintain control of whatever corpses they've raised. Typically, this can be done by beating a drum, or just tapping a book against your thigh. Or you could use [[PostModernMagik a huge sub-woofer mounted on a car]]. Necromancy aside, magic can be powered by emotion, and music can inspire emotion; therefore, music is one of many tools available to magic users.
* Being based off a ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' setting, the ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'' novels have a lot of these.

* In the shared universe novel ''Exiled: Clan of the Claw'' the Dancers of the Mrem use drums, dance and, in at least one case, bagpipes to strengthen their psychic powers.

* ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'': The elves have mastered a form of this that crosses over with GreenThumb: they can cause plants to grow into specific shapes by singing to them in the Ancient Language; it's the reason their cities are mostly made of trees shaped like dwellings. One elf woman in particular, Linnea, was able to merge ''herself'' with the Menoa Tree by singing to it for three days straight, until they became one entity.

* The sage Väinämöinen of the Finnish national epic ''Literature/TheKalevala''. All magic in the ''Kalevala'' is done through singing. A natural choice, as the entire epic is done in poetic verse designed to be sung, accompanied with playing of a ''kantele'' (a wooden harp).

* Creator/HPLovecraft used this trope in ''The Music of Erich Zann''. Though strange, bizarre or unearthly music often features in his works, this is the only case of the music itself having power.
* A non-musical poetry variant in Creator/AndreiBelyanin's ''Literature/MyWifeIsAWitch'' duology. The protagonist, Sergey, is a humble poet, who find out that the HotLibrarian he married is a powerful witch. After she vanishes into the [[MagicalLand dark worlds]], he goes to find her, only to discover that his poetry now works like (sometimes devastating) spells. He later discovers that there is a prophecy about a "witch's husband", since witches never marry, who is supposed to be the most powerful sorcerer who ever lived.
* In Creator/NeilGaiman's ''Literature/{{Neverwhere}}'', there is a tune which causes anyone who hears it to give money to the person playing it. Of course, they end up nearly ''killing'' the guy, but still... The MagnificentBastard who taught it ''did'' warn that a little went a long way... and picked up a second favor for teaching the street musician the counter ditty.

* ''Literature/TheRiddleMasterTrilogy'': Other than just being a exquisitely made instrument, the lowest note on Morgon's harp shatters steel.

* Essential to death magic in ''Literature/ShamanBlues''. Necromancers can hear "Earth's song" and raise the dead by singing back, and pretty much entire shamanism revolves around right rythms and songs, used to send ghosts back to the aether, to manipulate them and to call them in.

* ''Literature/TheToughGuideToFantasyland'': In Fantasyland this is very common, but only on the Good side. Sometimes it's actually the ''only'' Good magic. Music is used to enhance spells, summon aid or inspire extraordinary strength.

* ''Series/{{Angel}}'' has a bit of a variation: Lorne's singing abilities (great though they are) don't confer any magical effects, but when he hears ''other'' people sing, than he is able to read their destinies. Well, he is able to sing high enough to cause physical pain to people and incapacitate them. And even ordinary singing is too much for most inhabitants of his dimension.

** A couple [[MonsterOfTheWeek Monsters Of The Week]] used music too, such as the Gnarly Gnome and Guitardo. (There was an ironic twist with the first one; he used his music to hypnotize some teenagers, hoping to lure the Rangers into an ambush, but the plan had a FatalFlaw that he didn't count on: one member of the group he targeted was hearing impared, managed to escape, and warn them, ruining any chance of a surpise attack.)
* A sketch from British TV comedy series ''Series/ThatMitchellAndWebbLook'' had a man being given a green clarinet which, when played at someone, caused them to dance and sing an embarrassing truth about themselves. He used it to live a life of luxury, until another person was given a red tuba which caused... well, [[BrownNote an unfortunate comeuppance]].

** Used in when a group of bank robbers commit crimes by playing a specific song that sends the listener into blissed-out ecstasy, then taking the money while they're incapacitated.

* Not just Literature/TheKalevala, traditional Finnish magic in general consisted of spellsongs that were either sung or chanted, depending on the context. This makes sense, because most spells were essentially short stories relating the [[IKnowYourTrueName mythological origin]] of things like fire, iron, living things and such, because knowing the primordial nature of a thing was thought to [[FunctionalMagic give power over it]]. As such, spells were passed down by teaching them as songs, often as part of larger epics or stories, with the poetic meter ensuring the fidelity of the oral transmission. Notably, sages also apparently engaged in [[WizardDuel contests of magical knowledge]] which were conducted by singing as many spells as they could remember; many thousands were recorded in the 19th and early 20th century.

** The Irish ''filidh'' could also do that. Accordingly they were held on the same level as the kings of Ireland, since they could destroy their reputation (and potentially ''maim'' them) with a song.

** In "A Tune For Two," Wembley and Cotterpin sing a duet: "Children of Tomorrow." Not only do all the Fraggles join in, but so the Doozers, Junior Gorg, and Sprocket. And Sprocket's singing revives Doc's wilted plant, Lucinda, leading Doc to comment about the healing powers of music.

** Hyeon has the ability to [[SpeaksFluentAnimal converse with animals]]. As he discovers during one of his concerts, playing music amplifies his power, allowing him a better control over animals in the area.

** The 3rd Ed Dungeon Master's Guide features a number of magical music instruments, such as bells, lyres, drums, flutes, and pipes that have helpful or harmful effects. Satyrs' pipes are especially fun.

** The alternate magic system ''TabletopGame/SpheresOfPower'' has the Skilled Casting drawback, which has you use a Perform, Profession or Craft check to use your magic, so you can [[RuleOfFunny literally walk on walls by singing]] ''[[Music/LionelRichie Dancin' on the Ceiling]]''.

* This is the Argent Adept's ''thing'' in ''TabletopGame/SentinelsOfTheMultiverse''. Mechanically, he uses both Equipment (his instruments) and Ongoings (his songs); by activating an instrument's power, he can trigger the effects of the songs, which are divided into Rhythm, Harmony and Melody, with Rhythm and Harmony additionally having both Perform and Accompany effects that are activated separately. It's all rather complicated, so he's a lot easier to run in the digital version, but the results speak for themselves: while the Adept's setup time rivals that of the Great Wall of China, he can get some truly ridiculous power loops when he gets going, distributing heals, buffs, cards, plays and power uses to allies. He does have some damaging effects; he just rarely uses them, because who needs to inflict small amounts of ice, fire or sonic damage when you could massively buff your teammates, who are better at that?

* ''TabletopGame/SirenTheDrowning'' has the Sirens' equivalent of magic, Verses, work on this concept. The Verse is composed with three different parts, all required to have it function. The Introduction describes what or who the Siren is targeting with the Verse and it's duration, the Opus is what she's using to affect the target or affecting within the target, and the Conclusion dictates how much she can wield the Opuses. It should be noted that a Siren may need to use a Performance to help the Verse, but if she tries without one then she may find her Verse significantly depowered.
* Pavane of Slaanesh ability (and its big brother, the Grand Pavane) of Chaos Daemons in ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' is described as magic music that forces those who hear it start dancing and fall under the daemon's control.

** In the original, scrapped version of ''[[VideoGame/TabulaRasa Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa]]'' dating from 2004, the DamageTyping system involved a wholly unique of weapons for each damage type. Spirit weapons involved dancing and music--one featured weapon, for example, rotated like a hula-hoop when not in use and transformed into a harp when attacking.

* In ''VideoGame/Drakengard3'' the power of the Intoners is based around songs. If they enter [[SuperMode Intoner Mode]] they begin singing along with the backround music and become ridiculously strong. They can also use their singing to help their disciple [[SummonMagic summon giant magical creatures]] [[spoiler: without paying a price]]. If they are sufficently strong they can summon them by themselves. [[spoiler:However their songs seem to have unintentional [[BrownNote side]] [[BodyHorror effects]].]]

** Other races also discovered techniques which allowed them to similarly alter reality. To note:
*** The ancient Yokudans ([[{{Precursors}} ancestors]] to the modern Redguards) had a {{Samurai}}-like [[TheOrder order]] of warriors known as Ansei ("Sword-Saints" or "Sword-''Singers''"). The Ansei were able to [[SpontaneousWeaponCreation summon swords made from their very souls]], known as "Shehai". Ancient accounts suggest that with their Shehair, Ansei could cut through waves of traditionally armed-and-armored warriors like a "scythe through wheat". Their most powerful technique was known as the "Pankratosword", which allowed them to "cut the atomos" -- a literal FantasticNuke. It is said that misuse of this technique caused their original homeland of Yokuda to sink beneath the sea and that it has been lost to time as a result. The Ansei have similarly declined, as there has not been a realiable account of someone using the Shehai since the 2nd Era.

** [[OneGenderRace The all-female race of Reyvateils]] was created with the ability to create various magical effects through their songs. This includes things like healing, creating elemental bursts, summoning beings to attack, or even (on the upper scale of things) creating entire continents. Songs can sometimes be in upwards of 6 minutes in song length, and can either be sung solo or in combination with other Reyvateils. What makes this particularly interesting is that a single song can have multiple voices in it at any given time, but it is still being sung by one individual capable of singing in multiple voices at once. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFdRhJpUKt0]]. Additionally, most of the music has very computer-style names usually including EXEC or some variation. The implication of many of these is that the music is similar to some kind of computer executable that is executed by the goddess of the land.
** [[ConLang "Magical languages"]] (Hymmnos, Pastalia, Risshizentsukyomi and Ar Ciela) are used to create the really earth-shattering effects. The ''Nosurge'' prequel duology also introduces Emotional Song Pact and REON-4132, the latter of which is pretty much a programming language that can be sung.

** Edwards revamped abilities are likely inspired by the Bard class of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'', which could use several useful songs, for instance to speed up the other party members, restoring mana over time or dealing heavy damage to undead enemies.

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' brought back the Bard class, although they are primarily bowmen they still have several songs for various purposes such as RegeneratingMana, a DamageIncreasingDebuff, a ChargedAttack song, a movement buff and shield from debuffs.
** The player can use Deuce's flute-wielding fighting style in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0'' offensively or defensively. She can make risky close-range or slow moving long-range attacks or use debuffs on enemies. She can also buff and heal allies including herself.

* In ''VideoGame/InfiniteUndiscovery'', Capell obtains a flute from a claridian named Saruleus, which allows him to play music that can dispel illusions among other effects. It's just a pity that the one song that really counts, the one that stops them from hitting the Lunar induced BerserkButton, turns out to be pretty ineffective unless played constantly, which is impractical.

** There is also the Symphony Master from "VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep" , that attacks by summoning a trumpet, a drum, and a violin and near blows Terra to Kingdom Come before the fight.

* Sona from ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' uses this for all of her abilites, with a touch of MusicalAssassin.

** It was obvious that ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks Spirit Tracks]]'' would go with this Trope ever since it was revealed that the game's Japanese name was "Earth's Whistle". The "whistle" was revealed to be the Pan-flute like "Spirit Pipes", which are played by using the touchscreen and microphone in tandem. They work almost identically to magic instruments from earlier games. You also play duets with the Lokomo and Zelda with instruments such as bass, shamisen, flute, drums, and oboe, and to some extent... a pair of vocal cords. Which are held by Gage, Steem, Carben, Embrose, Rael and Zelda respectively.

*** Notably the Goddess harp is the same harp Sheik uses in ''Ocarina of Time'' to teach Link that game's magic music, having been held onto by held onto by the Royal Family of Hyrule after it's founded by ''Skyward Sword'' Zelda or some descendant. Sheik uses the harp as weapon in ''Hyrule Warriors'' as well, and Zelda is shown holding it in the first cut scene of that game.

** In ''[[VideoGame/RuneFactoryFrontier Frontier]]'' you can ask Candy to sing in order to manipulate the weather or create Rune Stones in exchange of some Runeys. [[spoiler: In fact, Spirit Song was the reason Whale Island was able to stay in the sky.]]

* Ricardo from ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts: From the New World'' can play songs with his guitar for various effects, from casting positive status effects on the party, sans himself. More songs can be composed when Ricardo find new items as his inspiration.

** Mystia's singing can cause night-blindness.

* The theme of Magic Music comes through several times during ''VideoGame/{{Wandersong}}'', because there's more than a few examples of power through song..

** The bardic protagonist can communicate with wildlife, ghosts, plants, and enter the worlds of the [[CosmicEntity Overseers]] just with the power of song. They’re on a quest to learn the Earthsong, which, if sung by every living thing in the world together, is said will convince Eya not to destroy it.

** Genital enhancement and/or increase in players perceived sex appeal;
** Lightning, fog and other stage effects;

** Album cover cliches, such as dragons, swords and female angels may appear;
** Females in the area of effect may regress (or progress) to around 18, in 68% of cases their clothing will change into leather fetish gear, lingerie and G-string bikinis;

** If you play too long, a character labelled SCP-1987-J-1 (calls himself names like "Count Rockula" and "Lord of the Strings") will appear and demand you stop playing or challenge him to a guitar duel, which he invariably wins, causing the player to [[BalefulPolymorph polymorph]] into a middleaged white guy named Earl who works in a garage. These are now being treated as D-class due to there being far more than is needed to maintain the sites motor pool.

* In ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'', The Music Meister/Sings a song that the world wants to hear/Let's not fight, let's get along/For our hypnotic profitier.

** The titular Robotman and his friends do this trope a little differently. They don't need musical instruments, and instead produce magic music from their mouths, which can perform a variety of functions from levitating objects to healing wounds to a musical robotic version of the CareBearStare for use against villains.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'' refers to these techniques as Bard Magic. Witches in this Coven channel their magic through their music and performances to either put people or objects under their sway, disrupt the magic of others, or just straight up fire sonic blades at their enemies. It can be performed with seemingly any instrument, or even by simply whistling!

** One episode has Harmony Smurf playing a magical bagpipe that put all the other Smurfs into comas.

* Musa of ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'' is the fairy of sound and music. Her spells often involve music a lot. Her attacks are based on music and sound. She usually uses attacks that are disco themed and can create disco-ball force-fields, distracting musical blasts, and virtual speakers which enclose around an enemy and immobilize them through incredibly loud bass music. Musa can also create walls and barriers of the musical scale and explosive musical notes.

* Music can have a profound, if temporary, effect on neural performance. This is frequently referred to as the Mozart Effect, and possibly qualifies as a real-life version of a buff or debuff. Alternatively, sound of the wrong kind can increase stress and even cause health issues (see BrownNote).

*** Notably the Goddess harp is the same harp Sheik uses in Ocarina of Time to teach Link that game's magic music, having been held onto by held onto by the Royal Family of Hyrule after it's founded by Skyward Sword Zelda or some descendant. Sheik uses the harp as weapon in Hyrule Warriors as well, and Zelda is shown holding it in the first cut scene of that game.