I'm a regular contributor for the delightful My Everyday Magic blog which celebrates simple abundance and gratitude. There I am known as The Song Fairy and Mondays I start the posting with ideas for everyday music magic. Music and magic simply go together. There's an element of magic that happens each time you bust out in song----from a soft, throaty hum to a full-blown, head-back, belted interpretation of a favorite song.
We're frequently delighted and not at all surprised by our young children who sing at the "drop of a hat" and give expression to feelings, creativity, and joy by channeling words and sounds into a spontaneous song.
Think about it: singing comprises emotion, vibration, rhythm and breathing----elements that stir up the very essence of what makes us human! No wonder children are so naturally compelled to sing! It feels good, it feels right! It's freeing.
So from that first organic expression of musical joy, what happens when we grow up and stop singing? So many of us buy into the notion that singing is for kids. Or that it's for super stars who were born with golden pipes, but not for us. We think that once we pass primary grade, it's time to put the kibosh on our singing voices.
What happened? Were we told at some point to stop singing? That it was embarrassing to sing, or uncool? Or did we pick up the idea that we would never be able to sing like our idols, so stop trying?
As an adult, do you hear yourself saying that you're not a musician, or musically inclined, or that you can't sing?
If so, this it the time to rethink these misconceptions. Because if you can talk, you can sing. In fact, I believe you were born to sing. Does this mean that I think you're all destined for the stage and a professional singing career? No, of course not. (There's another blog post for those with that heart's desire!) What I want is to encourage you to rediscover your singing voice by simply singing. You had it once, and you deserve to reclaim it: the sheer joy of singing and the way the sound, rhythm, and words feel resonating through you.
And what if someone tells you to "stop doing that!" for whatever reason? Your friend, mate, or child? Especially as you warm up to reconnecting with your authentic voice? Yes, that may happen. And this is where you buck those old self-defeating notions and declare gently but firmly that singing is a good thing and you intend to keep on singing. All in an appropriate place and time, of course. (You be the judge; you'll know when it's right, or not!)
Finally, to parents and other child guardians: whatever you do, be your kid's champion as she/he sings, and don't give them the idea that there is even such a thing as a "bad singer" or a "bad voice". Explore ways to guide children in their singing and introduce them to a variety of genres. Let them become life-long lovers of the joy of singing.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Children and getting to perform with them
What a joy to be around kid energy, especially where there's music and singing going on!
Adorable faces, wise little beings join me here to sing and sign my song "One World":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1DHcLJYBM
Adorable faces, wise little beings join me here to sing and sign my song "One World":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1DHcLJYBM
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Musical Sister-Schools and Musical Pen Pals
An interview with Robbie Schaeffer truly inspired me. He had the opportunity to take his music to Uganda and work with kids and develop his foundation OneVoice "to help to create and cultivate peace and cultural awareness through musical sister-school relationships between kids abroad and kids here in the U.S. Kind of like musical pen pals whose "conversation" would then be broadcast to our audience." Robbie is a performing artist and also a dj on Sirius XM’s Kids Place Live.
The interview continues on Cathy and Marcy's blog to talk about the wonderfully empowering effect he and the children had on each other. Read more...
The interview continues on Cathy and Marcy's blog to talk about the wonderfully empowering effect he and the children had on each other. Read more...
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Musical Preferences: Are we "prewired"?
From "Ask the Expert" on NOVA's Musical Minds special with Oliver Sacks, Neurologist and expert on Music and the brain at pbs.org ("oliver sacks"):
Q: Do you think we are prewired for our music preferences? I find that folk and Celtic music speak to my soul. My son, who is a music major, is a jazz lover. We each hate each other's preferences. I don't understand why we are so different. My daughter, who is an autistic savant with vocal music, is totally eclectic in her musical tastes. She is able to memorize songs immediately.
Anonymous
A: I suspect that relatively little of our musical preference is prewired. It is more likely that they are formed by the music we are exposed to in our childhood and youth—but also colored by associations, experiences, and emotions which we link to a particular type of music.
Dr. Sacks goes on to say how important it is to continue to introduce our children to other sorts of music...
Q: Do you think we are prewired for our music preferences? I find that folk and Celtic music speak to my soul. My son, who is a music major, is a jazz lover. We each hate each other's preferences. I don't understand why we are so different. My daughter, who is an autistic savant with vocal music, is totally eclectic in her musical tastes. She is able to memorize songs immediately.
Anonymous
A: I suspect that relatively little of our musical preference is prewired. It is more likely that they are formed by the music we are exposed to in our childhood and youth—but also colored by associations, experiences, and emotions which we link to a particular type of music.
Dr. Sacks goes on to say how important it is to continue to introduce our children to other sorts of music...
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
You think you're singing....Part I
You think you're singing---there's a melody, the words, some sort of pattern----However you look at it or think about it, that's singing. There you are, tapping into one of the very things that makes you human.
Children do this so naturally. I think even if they've never heard another soul singing, children will sing. One parent told me recently that her child is singing in sentences before she's actually talking.
And when you sing with your child, you're doing so much more than simply sustaining notes and sticking in words. You're communicating in vital, empowering, meaningful ways.
Children do this so naturally. I think even if they've never heard another soul singing, children will sing. One parent told me recently that her child is singing in sentences before she's actually talking.
And when you sing with your child, you're doing so much more than simply sustaining notes and sticking in words. You're communicating in vital, empowering, meaningful ways.