Music Magic

Playing a musical instrument has been found to:

• Promote happiness which radiates to other people
• Enhance community spirit
• Relieve stress and anxiety
• Sharpen the mind and enhances coordination and concentration
• Allow for creativity and self-expression
• Create a sense of accomplishment
• Improve self-confidence and social skills
• Instill discipline and perseverance
• Develop time management and organizational skills
• Foster the art of listening

Barry Goldstein, a renowned author, speaker, producer and composer, whose music is being used in hospitals, hospices, cancer centers, and medical practices, puts it succinctly when he said, “Musical improvisation, which is a spontaneous creative idea, is a perfect example of how music affects both sides of the brain.

Our technical skills are utilized to play the instrument and affect the left side of the brain, while the new creative ideas or improvisation flowing through us affect the right side. In addition, we are tapping into the power of our hearts by embedding the music with our emotion. On a spiritual level, when I improvise I always feel like the ideas are flowing through me in collaboration and connection with a larger field and something outside myself. If you want to have an effect on both your brain and heart with music, improvise! This practice is not limited to just musicians; I have seen many a friend make up his or her own words to songs on karaoke night!”

TIPS:

o It is never too late to learn to play a musical instrument.

o It is healthy to sing in the shower.

o It is perfectly fine to make up tunes or words to a song.

o Rhythm is life.