Author Archives: jaybeacham

“Those were our songs.”

I love to sing.                                                                                                                                                  I may have developed that love because both my mother and my father sang.                                My father sang when he milked the cows which calmed them down.                                                  My mother sang around the house and when doing laundry and other chores.  She said one can sing to entertain oneself.                                                                                                                               I grew up in a town of singers.  Singing in church and school and on other occasions.                     My 5th and 6th grade teacher taught what you lack in quality you can make up for in volume and gusto.                                                                                                                                                           A man I met and sang with later in life, said that it is hard to stay sad when one is singing, even a sad song.                                                                                                                                                        I got in the habit of singing while i milked cows and later drove alone in a car or drove home from work.                                                                                                                                                         My wife and I used to duet while driving and we were good together but sadly, I never got a recording of that singing.                                                                                                                                 One day while driving home a song came to my mind and I sang what I could remember of it but couldn’t recall all the words.    Most days I’d stop to see my mother on the way home from work and I asked her if she knew how that song went.                                                                            She said, “Get me started.”  I sang what I could remember and then she sang it all the way through for me.   I asked her how she could remember it and she replied, “Those were our songs.”   “We learned them when we were young.”                                                                            She would sing songs to me she’d learned in school as a child.                                                               When a little older, she would sing songs to the nurses and Hospice workers and everyone else who came to visit her.                                                                                                                                  How did she do it?                                                                                                                                         She said to me that she found it odd that she could remember from long ago but couldn’t remember what happened yesterday.                                                                                                         It seems singing and long-term memory go hand-in-hand.                                                               Tonight, I was watching the British singing group “The D-Day Darlings”.    One short video clip was an interview on Sky News of three of the 9 member singing group.  There was Katie Ashby, Amy Rhiannon, and Jessica Hudson.   They told of how they often perform at old folk’s homes and veteran’s homes.                                                                                                                                The interview was on Armistice Day, so much was said about their singing for the old veterans.  Jessica Hudson told about the veterans remembering all the words of the songs, even those who seemed to have memory loss, dementia, Alsheimer’s.  “Music is so important.  They remember every single word.”                                                                                                                                  Katie Ashby said sometimes there would be tears, not always of sadness but often of joy and happiness.                                                                                                                                                 (See the whole interview at:  https://youtu.be/nxywrQ1ABW8?si=FP6qYhcg0-dR1_IS  ) 

  This is more proof that singing is fun and healthy.                                                                                     

 

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Improve your singing

I came across an article by

Improve Your Voice in 8 Singer-Friendly Steps

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Singing Boosts Your Brain

A Study by the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry suggests that musical people have better memory and executive function (the ability to stay focused on tasks, plan and have self-control) than those with less or no musicality. Singing is a very popular musical activity as it allows joining musical groups, such as choirs, without the need to learn a musical instrument.”

Read the whole article at:

Playing a musical instrument or singing in a choir may boost your brain – new study (theconversation.com)

So see, Elton John was right about singing in a choir.

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Sing Help Keep Your Mind Sharp

Sing Help Keep Your Mind Sharp

Lisa Rapaport wrote an article in Everyday Health explaining how singing may help keep your mind sharp.as it helps promote brain health as people grow older.

A study showed:   “We believe that playing an instrument or taking part in singing activities challenges the brain and builds connections in the brain that help it work better and protect it from damage later on,” says senior study author Anne Corbett, PhD, a professor of dementia research at the University of Exeter in England.”  “This is similar to learning a second language or taking part in other activities like daily crossword puzzles that constantly challenge the brain“, Dr. Corbett says.

Read Lisa’ article at:

Playing an Instrument or Singing Promotes Brain Health Into Old Age (everydayhealth.com)

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Happy Singing Combat The Winter Blues

Don’t be negative.  Sing and listen to others sing. Tell them how they are singing.

A kind comment makes my day.

This month from Sing Snap:

Combat The Winter Blues With A Kind Comment

As winter settles in and daylight dwindles, a subset of the population experiences a distinct shift in mood and energy levels. This annual occurrence, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), sheds light on the profound link between the colder months and mental health challenges. Even on SingSnap negativity has a way of creeping into our lives, often disguised as unwarranted comments and judgments.

It can be easy to become all consumed with how one or a group of people may look at us in a negative light. However, adopting a positive mindset can be a game-changer for our overall well-being. The onus is truly on you to decide what you consider important and worthy of your mental space.

You can hyper focus on one person who does not enjoy you or you can find ways to shift focus onto things that fill your heart with joy. Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you.

One thing you can shift your focus to are all the positive, warm and fuzzy comments you receive. SingSnap members spend a copious amount of hours, listening, enjoying and commenting on recordings. Some of their comments truly give all kinds of warm feelings that would help combat those winter blues.

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Elton John’s Classical Training and Love of Singing in a Choir

Elton John’s Classical Training and Love of Singing in a Choir

hear what he has to say:

“Singing in a choir was incredible..”

“…such a moving experience”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cu2ESq0MIL3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

Sir Elton John: “I played Chopin and Mozart, Bach and Debussy… I am so grateful for my classical training.” 🎶❤️

The legendary pianist spoke to Classic FM’s @TimLihoreau in 2019 at the @royalacademyofmusic about his time there as a student.

 

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Just In heal Voice Webinar

You may be interested in this:

Lynn Singer
Lynn SingerLynn Singer• 2nd• 2ndHelping people transform and heal themselves through Voice🗣️| Featured on New York Times and BBC | Professor at Yale, NYU, T Schreiber Studios, The New School | Oscar Nominee, Emmy, Pulitzer Prize Winners Clients✨Helping people transform and heal themselves through Voice🗣️| Featured on New York Times and BBC | Professor at Yale, NYU, T Schreiber Studios, The New School | Oscar Nominee, Emmy, Pulitzer Prize Winners Clients✨

5d • 5d •

Join us on a transformative journey of healing, growth, and empowerment in the “Heal your Voice, Heal your Body Live Webinar.” Led by Lynn Singer and co-host Theresa Charles, this webinar is designed for individuals who want to make an impact with their voice.

It offers tools and practices to heal and empower your speaking voice, helping you gain confidence and make a positive impact. Whether you’re a coach, artist, businessperson, speaker, or writer, this webinar is for you.

Discover the power of your voice, heal your body, and create lasting transformation. Don’t miss out on this opportunity. ✨

Drop any questions you have in the comments. We’ll make sure to give you the best solutions for your problems.

Date – 22 July, 2023
Time – 2:00pm EST

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Music as therapy

“Music can truly be therapy and help you get through the emotional roller coasters of life. Chances are, if you’re going through something that is putting your emotions on alert – someone else has been there before and sung about it!”-SingSnap newsletter 4/26/2023

It’s hard to remain sad when you are singing, even singing a sad song.   Neil diamond in his “Song Sung Blues” song expresses this thought.

Martha Graham, (Double Strung Harpist🎵 Certified Therapeutic Musician – CCM), on Instagram as HarpPeaceGiver gives examples of her therapy work with music.   here is one example:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdFG5l7A7Xd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 

We can’t all play an instrument, but we all have our voice and can sing.

To entertain ourselves, we can sing when we are sad or happy, and give ourselves music therapy.

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Music Can Heal

Mark Taylor’s article tells some interesting things that Dr. Viskontas has to say about it and refers to her new book on the subject.

The Healing Power of Music and the Arts | SFCM

Music has power. The power to connect us, heal us, and change us for the better. That’s one of the main messages from opera singer, SFCM professor, and neuroscientist Dr. Indre Viskontas. Dr. Viskontas has her Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience from UCLA, and M.M. degree in vocal preformance from SFCM. She also recently released a book called, “How Music Can Make You Better,” and compiled a special white paper on the crucial and positive effects on children involved in music.

The Healing Power of Music and the Arts

Indre Viskontas on the Intersection of Music and Neuroscience | SFCM

It’s worth following the links and reading.

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