Why Music??? part 6 Music and Memory

This is part six of my blog posts where I describe music therapy interactions I've had that are indicative of why music is so meaningful, enriching and sometimes life changing!

This post is not about any one particular music therapy session. It speaks about some general considerations that makes experiencing music comprehensible and enjoyable (as opposed to stressful).

These considerations most often affect the music experience of individuals that have cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's and/or hearing loss. But many other disorders can be included such as developmental disabilities. In my 20 plus years of providing music therapy to older individuals it is common for music to be played or presented that 1) the person does not know, and 2) is too fast. Lets take these one at a time...

With regard to the first point, it is very common in my experience to see dementia patients, who can not speak, walk, feed themselves, etc, to function at a relatively high level in a music setting. I see people sing, clap and move accurately to the music and make relatively lucid comments about the music or song and even display appropriate emotions. And very often their mood is positively affected. Most often this occurs when the person is familiar with the music or ideally, loves the music thereby stimulating significant positive life memories and associations. This is what I characterize as preferred music. ***Again, this holds true to individuals with various disorders. A very important factor that makes familiar music meaningful is that the person, once they know what the song is, can anticipate what is coming, i.e., lyrics, endings, etc. With cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's, one part of the brain that processes music (and emotions), our limbic system (in the more secluded hypothalamic region of our brain) stays intact when other parts of the brain, such as those on the periphery, are more commonly subjected to disease and trauma. This allows music memories to be retained when other cognitive abilities are lost. This positive experience of anticipating music is why children often want to listen to a song (or watch a movie) over and over again. When we humans “know what is coming” (anticipation) we feel comfortable. When we feel comfortable we feel safe. Also, it is common for people with hearing loss, who normally have difficulty engaging in music, to sing with enthusiasm. This is possible because they are so familiar with the song (from their past) their positive memory allows the words “roll off their tongue” even though they can't hear the song very well. This anticipation actually gives them the sensation of hearing better because they are successfully engaging in the song.

When music is too fast, people with cognitive disorders and/or hearing loss experience stress and feelings of not being able to “keep up.” This is common even when the music is familiar. When the music is too fast, people have difficulty with singing and/or comprehension. Particularly in a (music) therapy setting we want to encourage and support success not failure.

In my therapy sessions, providing live, preferred music allows me to constantly watch for individuals reactions as they try to participate. If I know they are familiar and like a specific song I go as slow as I need to which allows them to comfortably participate, i.e., sing and/or move with the music and enjoy the experience. With that all in place the positive reminiscence and emotions can become part of their music experience. Then, even those with cognitive disorders and/or hearing loss can experience success with music.

So, "Why music??"... To be able to provide an individual with cognitive disorders (like Alzheimer's) and/or hearing deficits an opportunity to experience success through accurate memories and emotions, stimulated by favorite music. ***These experience are made much more possible when the guidelines mentioned above can be implemented, i.e., having the individual know what song is coming (preferred music) and playing it slow enough to optimize comprehension and enjoyment.

In upcoming posts I will continue with other music therapy/health and wellness related blog posts.  

My prescription this week??? Dig up an old favorite song, CD or album and listen to it with no distractions. And again, enjoy!!!!

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Why Music??? part 5 Music and The Spiritual Realm

Thanks for visiting musicfromthestart.com topics and conversations. Here I want to address music therapy issues and concepts as they relate to education, health and wellness.

This is part five of my blog posts where I describe music therapy interactions I've had that are indicative of why music is so meaningful, enriching and sometimes life changing!

This music therapy session happened at Toledo Children's Hospital where I was called in on a sad case involving an 18yr old young man who, with his whole family this past December, contracted the flu. His family recovered fine but his conditioned deteriorated into a rare condition that rendered him unable to walk, talk, eat or breath on his own. Myself (music therapy), speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy are all part of the treatment team including the rehabilitation doctor.

In a case like this my music therapy role includes neurological stimulation, anticipation and differentiation using familiar songs as cues and prompts, and to use music for sleep and to stimulate hopefulness. This session was the first meeting with the young man and his family. It was reported to me that today he was struggling with a fever among other uncomfortable challenges. Therefore, I decided it would be best to simply introduce myself to the patient and family and provide live music, consisting of songs and artists that mom had told me her son enjoyed, i.e., mostly classic pop/rock music.The idea for today was to have him experience live music, simply for him to enjoy.

Today the boy's grandmother was with him as I visited. I played many songs of which the patient relaxed nicely. The live music turned out to be a nice, positive diversion from the fans (to keep him cool) and breathing apparatus in the room. After many songs I decided to play one more song for this session, a song I learned earlier this winter. The song, Can't Take My Eyes Off of You,” originally done by Frankie Valli, is a song I hadn't played in months. When I finished the song, the grandmother who was at the bedside said to me... “why did you play that song?” Internally I was very startled, thinking I hope I did not upset her for some reason. I answered her question by saying... “I don't know.” She went on to say that “earlier today I was here and said (to her grandson) “I can't take my eyes off of you...” And then thought... “I think that is a lyric of a song...” We both went “wow!!”

This experience reminds me that a few times a year, as I'm working with hospice patients and families, I'll be ready to play a song, then just before I start the song something tells me to play another song. After, the patient will say something like “that's my favorite song (without them telling me that beforehand)” or “I was just singing that this morning...”

My take on this has always been “from time to time an angel taps me on the shoulder to tell me precisely what to play for a good reason.” And this might be a case of “you'd have to be there...” but when it happens it is very noticeable and special.

So, "Why music??"... To experience (what some might call) the “spiritual realm.” I feel when any of us engage in live music, or even our very favorite, special recorded music, emotions are triggered that are directly connected to our spiritual self. Not always, but when the music, time and emotions are all in a desired place music, on various levels, can affect us spiritually. In the case described above it wasn't so much that the song affected the grandmother's spirit after it was played, it was more a case of “spirit” affecting WHAT I played. Either way, when music and it's positive intention is involved “spiritual” things can happen, similar to how prayer can affect people and situations.

In upcoming posts I will continue with other music therapy/health and wellness related blog posts.

My prescription this week??? Meditate or pray about music, i.e., “for how I'm feeling right now, what music should I choose to play or listen to.” And again, enjoy!!!!

I want to let everyone know that my new site: musicfromthestart.com, still very new, is in the process of producing more offerings. Right now there are three offerings, i.e., two music albums available, David's Basics in Education and Lyrical Imagery and one educational lecture titled The Purposeful Use of Music From Pregnancy Through Toddlerhood (including Labor and Delivery). The second album, Lyrical Imagery, and the childbirth lecture are a free download for a limited time.

As a reminder the main thrust of the music therapy/childbirth lecture is to support moms (and dads) as they put together their own music listening playlists or CDs to support rhythmic breathing, act as a positive diversion from pain and stress, etc., to be used during labor and delivery.

Also, I'm looking forward to recording my second music album this spring. This is music for child development, autism and special needs. Remember, one song, “High 5,” from David's Basics in Education (music album #1) is still a free download for a limited time.

 
AND!!!! Please share with others, like us on Facebook  and follow us on Twitter ... Thanks

Why Music??? part 4 Supporting Others

Thanks for visiting musicfromthestart.com topics and conversations. Here I want to address music therapy issues and concepts as they relate to education, health and wellness.

This is part four of my blog posts where I will describe music therapy interactions I've had that are indicative of why music is so meaningful, enriching and sometimes life changing!

This music therapy session happened at our in-patient facility. I was visiting other patients there when the social worker said she had a special patient for me to visit. The patient named Brian, is a 59 year old with end stage lung cancer. The SW was excited for me to visit Brian because she saw the family bring in his guitar to the room, not really knowing if he would play it. Upon visiting, the family told me Brian had played for years and his children and grand children all grew up with him playing for fun and for special family events.

Now, in my music therapy experience it is common for accomplished musicians NOT to want music therapy because live music reminds them of when they were not ill. Although some musicians are inspired despite their illness, this was Brian. For this first visit there must have been twelve or more family members in the room, including his wife, her parents, Brian's two children and their spouses with their children (Brian's grand children), Brian's siblings, etc. Prior to me entering the room, his family also reported to me that “Brian's hasn't played or smiled for months...” And none of us knew how he would react to me or the prospect of playing guitar and singing together.

When I pulled out my guitar Brian's face lit up. He promptly asked his wife to get out his sheet music of songs, of which his wife and sister ended up excitedly organizing during the session. Brian situated his guitar on his lap (he was sitting up in his bed) as best he could and we played together and sang songs he knew, songs that I knew, all with Brian smiling ear to ear. And after each piece he had something enthusiastic to say about the song. As all the family members video taped and took pictures on their phones other relatives were remembering when Brian played this song or that at a family event, talk went to Brian and others' favorite bands, etc. Music and talk of music permeated the room. Wow, what a time...

So, "Why music??"... For normally functioning individuals with a music background, engaging in live music, (which is often) their life long love, provides at the very least, a positive reminiscence experience and positive diversion from emotional and physical pain. I think more importantly it provides, as in the case of Brian, a way to (again), in a patriarchal manner, share his gift of music with his family and to continue to create positive, uplifting memories; to engage in a “normal” activity apart from the stress of his illness; and importantly, to model for his children and grandchildren the importance of “living life” to the end, 
which is so hard for so many people.

In upcoming posts I will continue with other music therapy/health and wellness related blog posts. Also, I am very excited to get started recording my second music album targeted for child development, special needs and autism, coming out later this spring.

My prescription this week??? Again sing and dance with your family... play or try an instrument, write a song or rap lyric... And again, listen or play YOUR favorite music and enjoy!!!!

I want to let everyone know that my new site: musicfromthestart.com, still very new, is in the process of producing more offerings. Right now there are three offerings, i.e., two music albums available, David's Basics in Education and Lyrical Imagery and one educational lecture titled The Purposeful Use of Music From Pregnancy Through Toddlerhood (including Labor and Delivery). The second album, Lyrical Imagery, and the childbirth lecture are a free download for a limited time.

As a reminder the main thrust of the music therapy/childbirth lecture is to support moms (and dads) as they put together their own music listening playlists or CDs to support rhythmic breathing, act as a positive diversion from pain and stress, etc., to be used during labor and delivery.

 
AND!!!! Please share with others, like us on Facebook  and follow us on Twitter ... Thanks

Why Music??? part 3 Autistic Piano Player

Thanks for visiting musicfromthestart.com topics and conversations. Here I want to address music therapyissues and concepts as they relate to education, health and wellness.

This is part three of three posts where I will describe music therapy interactions I've had that are indicative of why music is so meaningful, enriching and sometimes life changing!

This music therapy (MT) session I will describe today was with Chris T with his mom Sue present. Chris, is an autistic 21yr old young man who is very talented in music as a piano player. He can read piano music and also has perfect pitch, i.e., if I play any note on my gtr  he can accurately tell me what note it is. During MT w Chris, some of our goals include getting Chris comfortable playing and singing simultaneously, accompanying me on piano as I sing and getting him to comfortably improvise, i.e., not be "locked in" to just play whats on the sheet music. During our latest MT session Chris accompanied me on piano as I sang the Glen Campbell hit song, Wichita Lineman. In the past Chris, playing alone, would race through the end of musical phrases. This day, accompanying me (as I sang), Chris played beautifully! He played full measures while listening intently. Also, in the past, Chris was not used to playing without piano music. We have been working on Chris improvising of which, early on, he was not comfortable doing. Again, this day, after he mimicked what I had played (improvised), Chris truly improvised comfortably and for a long while. We are making wonderful music strides with Chris performing many things "out of his comfort zone." A future goal is to have Chris play piano publically, possibly accompanying me as I sing.

So, "Why music??"... For challenged, handicapped individuals who often are low functioning, engaging in productive, success oriented endeavors is limited. Once a music talent is discovered, supported and cultivated, participating in success oriented music experiences allows them to function higher than almost any other area of their lives. 

In upcoming posts I will continue with other music therapy/health and wellness related blog posts. Also, I am very excited to get started recording my second music album targeted for child development, special needs and autism, coming out later this spring.

My prescription this week??? Sing... play or try an instrument, write a song or rap lyric... And again, listen to YOUR favorite music and enjoy!!!!

I want to let everyone know that my new site: musicfromthestart.com, still very new, is in the process of producing more offerings. Right now there are three offerings, i.e., two music albums available, David's Basics in Education and Lyrical Imagery and one educational lecture titled The Purposeful Use of Music From Pregnancy Through Toddlerhood (including Labor and Delivery). The second album, Lyrical Imagery, and the childbirth lecture are a free download for a limited time.

As a reminder the main thrust of the music therapy/childbirth lecture is to support moms (and dads) as they put together their own music listening playlists or CDs to support rhythmic breathing, act as a positive diversion from pain and stress, etc., to be used during labor and delivery.

 
AND!!!! Please share with others, like us on Facebook  and follow us on Twitter ... Thanks

Why Music??? part 2 Music and Songwriting

Thanks for visiting musicfromthestart.com topics and conversations. Here I want to address music therapy issues and concepts as they relate to education, health and wellness. 

This is part two of three posts where I will describe music therapy interactions I've had that are indicative of why music is so meaningful, enriching and sometimes life changing!

Last week I had a very moving visit with an 85 yr old gentleman Jerry and his wife Sonya. Jerry has Alzheimer's, and at the beginning of our music therapy sessions he always starts to recite an original poem he had written fairly recently, i.e., the last four yrs or so. Jerry has written many poems over the years. As a writing/self expression project when I first met him last year, I put music to his poem and recorded it for him and his family (gave it to them on a CD). As I mentioned, he has always written poems and has said a dream of his has been to hear his poetry set to music. Due to his condition he can not remember that I wrote music and recorded his poem and at the beginning of each session he starts reciting this poem, not remembering that I've heard it and that we've worked with this poem. As a recent routine upon visiting, I set my laptop on his lap and play the finished song for him to hear and enjoy (the family does not have a CD player at this time). When he heard it this day he immediately cried because he was hearing his poetry set to music. And because of his memory loss, when we do this, it's like him hearing it for the first time. He becomes overjoyed hearing his poem set to music. He then (again) always reports that he has "always wanted his poems put to music..."



So, "Why music??"... to actively engage in self expression and the arts of which individuals and families have participated in over the years. Also, to involve cognitively challenged individuals with deficits such as Alzheimer's disease, in productive endeavors, helping them experience competence, success and joy.

In upcoming posts I will continue with “why music???” as I describe other music therapy experiences that are indicative of why music is so meaningful, enriching and life changing.

My prescription this week??? Express yourself... Write a poem, journal entry... a song... And again, listen to YOUR favorite music and enjoy!!!!

I want to let everyone know that my new site: musicfromthestart.com, still very new, is in the process of producing more offerings. Right now there are three offerings, i.e., two music albums available, David's Basics in Education and Lyrical Imagery and one educational lecture titled The Purposeful Use of Music From Pregnancy Through Toddlerhood (including Labor and Delivery). The second album, Lyrical Imagery, and the childbirth lecture are a free download for a limited time.

As a reminder the main thrust of the music therapy/childbirth lecture is to support moms (and dads) as they put together their own music listening playlists or CDs to support rhythmic breathing, act as a positive diversion from pain and stress, etc., to be used during labor and delivery.

 
AND!!!! Please share with others, like us on Facebook  and follow us on Twitter ... Thanks

Why Music??? part 1 Music To Honor and Support The Dying Process

Thanks for visiting musicfromthestart.com topics and conversations. Here I want to address music therapyissues and concepts as they relate to education, health and wellness.

This is part one of three posts where I will describe music therapy interactions that are indicative of  music being very meaningful, enriching and sometimes life changing!

Music and memories...
Yesterday at a local nursing home I was called in by a hospice RN to visit an actively dying, elderly woman who reportedly had a very rich music history, particularly with her family and church. When I arrived, the family initially was not sure about a music therapy (MT) visit, then said yes. They said they had been singing favorite/family hymns to their dying Mom (two children and one in-law were present). The family spoke of their mom and dad's favorite hymns that they had sung for years. I sat next to patient and began to sing some of their favorite hymns. One daughter held her mom's hand singing softly, kissing her forehead at times and smiling throughout. The other family members sang and cried. The patient appeared to be comfortable throughout and family were very thankful for this (last) music experience with their mother.
As it turned out this patient died soon after I left. For me it is an honor to be with patients and families during this truly precious time. And to think that my music was the last music they experienced on this earth, is very special and humbling.

So, "Why music??"... to stimulate positive reminiscence and provide a vehicle for 

family honoring and memorial experiences.

In upcoming posts I will continue with “why music???” as I describe other music therapy experiences that are indicative of why music is so meaningful, enriching and life changing.

My prescription this week??? Think back of music experiences that are very special to you and your family and re-visit that music. If possible, do this with your family. Maybe then, journal about your “re-visit” experience and share this with your family. We don't have to wait until we're on our death bed to experience this!!! And again, listen to YOUR favorite music and enjoy!!!!

I want to let everyone know that my new site: musicfromthestart.com, still very new, is in the process of producing more offerings. Right now there are three offerings, i.e., two music albums available, David's Basics in Education and Lyrical Imagery and one educational lecture titled The Purposeful Use of Music From Pregnancy Through Toddlerhood (including Labor and Delivery). The second album, Lyrical Imagery, and the childbirth lecture are a free download for a limited time.
As a reminder, the main thrust of the music therapy/childbirth lecture is to support moms (and dads) as they put together their own music listening playlists or CDs to support rhythmic breathing, act as a positive diversion from pain and stress, etc., to be used during labor and delivery.

 
AND!!!! Please share with others, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter... Thanks

New Educational Lecture. Check It Out!!

Hi everyone, I'm very excited to announce my latest offering on musicfromthestart.com. This video lecture is titled: The Purposeful Use of Music From Pregnancy Through Infancy. The lecture comes in two formats, a 15 min and 42 min version. I wanted to do this to consider peoples time considerations. Off course the 42 min version has all of the detailed research explained, etc.

It's free! Please pass this on to expecting moms or families. My initial goal is to get as many people as possible to use the program then give me feedback - to make it better. My main goal is to eventually provide a great service to expecting moms and families, something that they can really benefit from. And know I will be updating this regularly.

Go down the hm pg @ www.musicfromthestart.com and scroll down to the: Video Lecture: The Purposeful Use of Music From Pregnancy Through Infancy, open it up and take it from there.

And please like us Facebook and follow on Twitter!

Merry Christmas and I hope everyone has a great new year!! We'll talk more next year.

Thanks very much, David P.