Regardless of age, certain melodies will evoke a feeling.. or memory, in almost everyone.
In one of my charity’s recent dementia care sessions, a lady sang a beautifully moving version of You Are My Sunshine.
It’s a song most people know. It kinda feels like it’s always been there. And it’s a tune that has become a staple in our sessions.
It’s a piece that manages to land just as well in a dementia care home as it does in a primary school. And I think there’s something incredibly special about that.
For younger children, the melody is simple, soothing and easy to remember. Many will have heard it in pre-school, or when they’re being sung to sleep. For older generations, it often sparks a vivid sense of familiarity – transporting them back to another time in their lives.
Their youth, earliest memories, family singalongs, or a reminder of a loved one’s voice.
However, we find that songs like this can do more than just trigger memories. They can unlock and develop confidence. We often see people, who might not usually feel comfortable with performing, lean a little further towards the mic when it’s performed, or join in that extra bit louder. And eventually, they’re singing solo.
The familiarity of such songs, creates an initial confidence. The melody is simple. The structure is repetitive. It’s been cemented in peoples minds. And there’s little fear that you will lose your way.
These are the same qualities that help children connect with music when they’re first learning, and the same qualities that stay with us as we grow older.
And once heard, the vocal output, almost operates on autopilot.
These compositions can be a wonderful gateway to instilling someone with the self-belief, that they can contribute in a musical setting.
Music doesn’t need to be complicated to connect with us. Sometimes, it’s the simplest songs that have the most lasting impact.
Study after study shows that participation in musical activities improves mood & wellbeing, stimulates memory & emotional recall, increases confidence & self-esteem, and boosts engagement & physical activity. That’s quite a list of positive outcomes!
So it’s highly important that instructors, therapists, practitioners.. find the songs and approaches that help people feel comfortable enough to engage.
Because once they do, the impact on their physical and mental wellbeing can be profound.
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Speak soon,
Marc
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