I listen to music occasionally, mostly popular tunes (like the Justins, Bieber and Timberlake), beer-drinking country tunes, classical now and again, but never rap — I hate rap. I find listening to talk radio or television news channels more interesting than music. In the last months, only because I’ve been told repeatedly that music kindles good health, I have opened my eyes to the prospect that music might be better than it sounds!
My research clarified that listening to music releases dopamine in the brain which is a ‘feel good’ chemical. I played some old favourite songs and it did make me feel better – not rap though. The cheerier the lyrics, opposed to sad words, the more positive I felt. Apparently music is proven to lower the heart rate, breathing and pulse rate, causing a chill of pleasure like the winds of change. It can trigger memories of special occasions and that is so true. The song “Sweet Caroline” makes me recall the girl of the same name that slipped away when I let my guard down.
As much as not making an effort to listen, I never tried out my singing voice or if I did, I was told, “You can’t sing for sour apples.” Despite all that: when the Whitewater Singers group was formed and the schedule posted, I was shamed into at least to give it a try. After a few evenings, I became more at ease and stopped lip-syncing. I’m not saying I magically had a good voice, instead I had more desire to reach my own (limited) potential. I even practice some songs that come with the lyrics at home on YouTube – and am gradually singing louder. No rap though. Songs from musicals are preferred: Mama Mia, Phantom of the Opera, Chorus Line, etc. Our director is so proficient that I am adding to my limited knowledge about music; stand erect, a few of the scales – all of them in good time, the voice classifications and warmup exercises to get the tongue tingling. My appreciation for music had me listen this year to national anthems sung during the World Cup. They were quite striking. I even notice Muzak or elevator music as some call it! Now, I can comprehend that music is really a universal language.
A Wilkes University study validated music can contribute to an overall healthier lifestyle. Individuals who faced emotional stress, instead of turning to traditional medicines or a toke for relief, found music to be a holistic alternative to pill popping. It also showed that human blood cells respond to music. Music therapy lifted moods, reduced anxiety, raised motivation and combatted insomnia and depression. If I could only get equal benefits from talk-radio in my left ear and therapeutic music in my right one, I would be as balanced as a carpenter’s level. When I discovered that human blood cells respond to sound frequencies by changing color and shape and that sick or rogue cells can be healed or harmonized with sound, it was unbelievable! Just imagine, if I started hearing music while in the womb, I’d probably look and feel 20 years younger, even able to run three or four blocks without a rest.
A friend of mine of many years always brought up his love for music in conversations. I blocked him out as best I could or faked an interest. This time though, I was able to pay full attention about his interest. He told me, he had played a trumpet in high school, even in a band after that. During his lifetime he always found time to learn and appreciate the finer points of music. He moved from the Kingston Trio style in his teens to ones of softer melodies. Now retired, he and his wife make a regular habit of attending live concerts; jazz, quartets, symphonies or just about anything. For this past month of June they made a concerted effort to listen to five or six performances a week. He called it, “Binge live-concert month”. Exhausted at the end, he said it was the best period of his life.
At this late stage I needed shortcuts to close the gap. One was to review the famous composers, until I got a sense of what suited me. I discarded the chamber music ones, found Tchaikovsky a little brash and at the moment am leaning towards Mozart, who is a very versatile and archetype of the classics. However, I’m not convinced yet if Beethoven might top him? I have broadened my horizons somewhat but as for singing, I will never leave a mark but will continue with the classes. Who knows what possibilities lie ahead – Nashville or better still, a cabaret at the Community Hall?
