I think humans come with an inner jukebox of rhymes, melodies, and beats. Even before we are born, we are hearing our mother’s heartbeat; quieted by lullabies and the white noise of a car ride. A 3-year-old child is adept at finding wooden spoons to create patterns. Then with training and perseverance, 15 years later they could be playing the violin in a symphony. Music is complex and simple all at the same time, with the ability to touch and reach us in a place that is not visible to us.
(Photo credit B. Ducey 2020)
The Best and Most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or heard, but felt with our heart. ~ H Keller
How else can we account for Beethoven’s musical genius despite his hearing loss. When he conducted his magisterial symphony in 1824, He had to be turned around to see the audience cheering, He was unable to hear the thunderous applause.
For me it can lift my spirits, energize me, or bring a sense of peace. Songs popular when I was in high school bring me right back to driving in my first car over the winding highway to the Half Moon Bay.
As a young child I remember dancing in the living room with the soundtrack of Camelot and Sound of Music on the stereo, Hi-FI. That is short for High Fidelity for those born after 1970.
Now 60 years later, I am still dancing in the living room to music now replaced with a laptop, zoom account and cloud-based play list for the Healthy Steps Classes. It is the same eternal melodies, patterns and beats that keeps me moving but using the today’s technology. The need to move and feel better is hard wired into us. Music can be accessible, easy to use, non-habit forming and safe unless the decibels are cranked up to ear-damaging levels.
It is reassuring that what I have known to be true for me, since a young age, now has some recognition by others. In the book, Your Playlist Can Change Your Life: Ten Proven Ways Your Favorite Music Can Revolutionize Your Health, Memory, Organization, Alertness, and More, gives the background to why it works for many situations. The authors explain how music can have a powerful effect on our brain and ways we can use it to enhance our lives. To gain focus for studying, motivation to exercise or inducing a calm mental state. They give simple and straightforward strategies on how to put together a playlist for your needs.
So, when I am planning a class for Healthy Steps, the playlist is important. Music for warming up, cardio and stretch all have their own pace. It is fun to pick out songs that are easy to sing to and have positive themes. “I feel good” by James Brown, is one of my favorites. It is difficult to feel otherwise when you are singing and dancing along to it. It is almost magical, taking you wherever you may need to be, without the need to find the passport or wish for a magic carpet.
Mindlin, Galina, et al. Your Playlist Can Change Your Life: Ten Proven Ways Your Favorite Music Can Revolutionize Your Health, Memory, Organization, Alertness, and More. Sourcebooks, Inc., 2012.