Music and Magic in Middle Earth

[Farael]

Well, I'm a little weary about actually starting my own thread as I'm new around here but I did a search and I couldn't find any discussions about this topic.

After reading The Silmarillion and LoTR I realized that in many instances in which some character performs some 'magic' he/she does so by means of a song. For example, I think it was Luthien who, by means of a song disguised herself and Beren as two creatures of Morgoth in order to get into Angband and once there, she sang everyone into sleep. Or Tom Bombadil who can manipulate trees and other not-so-nice creatures by singing to them. Or even better, the whole Middle Earth was created by the song of the Valar and Eru himself. We also know that when the elves sang, the hobbits who did not understand their language could still understand the stories that were being told.

Perhaps then, some songs have the power to alter perception and even moods and thoughts? (In Tolkien's works, I mean)

What do you think is the case? and also, if songs are the source of magical power, why is it that Gandalf does not sing his enchantments? are there two ways of casting magical spells or is it the same source but a different form of casting?

Personally, I think that there are two different kinds of magic. Songs can alter perception and moods while other kinds of sorcery can affect the physical world (making fire, attacking your enemy and so on)

I'm looking forward to hear from all you (smart) comunity members!

Farael

P.S: I'm not saying that I don't want to hear from dumb comunity members, what I mean is that you guys (and girls) are all smart!