Reading · Creative Confidence

I find myself writing this a lot…

I never get bored of seeing the impact music has on people.

How someone described as non-verbal will embrace a microphone and begin to sing.
How quiet and withdrawn characters take centre stage once a certain piece of music is played.
How Stroke survivors use music and movement as part of their rehabilitation.
How people living with Dementia, will have whole periods of their life brought back to the surface by a simple melody or familiar lyric.

These are just some of the moments my music charity witness every week.

I’ll share some examples in more detail throughout this newsletter.

Also - read on to learn about a Substack course I’ve created, and what benefits it holds for you.

It demonstrates the platform’s essential parts, the opportunities that exist here, how to craft and promote your newsletter, build community, and monetise.

Our charity’s instructors aren’t just performers. Their aim is to utilise music to provide physical and emotional wellbeing.

Therefore, alongside playing a big mix of classic tracks, we will break the session up with moments of direct interaction.

This enables a more person centred approach, and captures moments that would otherwise be missed.

There’s no doubting the impact a simple live rendition of a well known song can have. Particularly within the dementia sector we deliver in. But once time is taken to approach an individual, and allow the music to create a different type of bond, the bigger breakthroughs often appear.

Take the lady in the photo below as an example. She enters the room, unsure of what to expect. One face in a crowd of many attendees. Very quiet. No apparent desire to interact.

But, once she was gently approached. Had the instrument described to her. Was presented with the opportunity to try it. And then heard the sound she created.

Her face lit up.

She was in control of the moment.

Our instructor was responding to the patterns she played.

Via a simple instrument, she had formed a connection and a means of communication.

Once the interaction ceased, her input for the rest of the session exploded.

The same can be said for dancing.

I’m sure many of us have been the withdrawn one at the edge of a dance floor. Not confident enough to be the first to enter that daunting open space (my wife is very good at taking that first step, and has helped me a lot over the years… although my moves still need some work…)

But we also can’t deny that music has the ability to take over. And once that initial step is taken, a lot more usually follow.

Often, we find that 1 or 2 attendees have no filter and no care for what others think (what a beautiful way to be!) - but others need that gentle encouragement. And once those party starters stand up, the domino effect usually takes place.

Before you know it, half the room are swinging.

If a little more encouragement is needed, we know some amazing care worker staff, who have the moves. Check this wonderful team from Mundy House in Basildon, UK, who sent the below video to us ❤️

I feel it’s important that these moments are shared.

The emotions and breakthroughs our attendees express.

The heartwarming encouragement and delight shown by their support staff.

I hope you enjoy seeing them.

And I hope they might inspire you to engage with and access the many therapeutic benefits that music provides.

Due to data restrictions, many of the moments I’ve highlighted above remained in the rooms we visited, with only the occasional photo or video shared (with permission) on our socials.

But a platform like Substack, with its newsletter features, has allowed me to document these experiences more fully, while also raising awareness of what can be achieved through music.

It can be daunting competing with all the noise online.

It can be tiring trying to crack another algorithm.

But I believe Substack makes this process a lot easier.

So, I made a course all about it’s benefits and the impact it has had on me, my creative fulfilment and the growth of my business and charity.

Read on to see how Substack can benefit you.

And how you can get the entire course, for free…

Crafting a successful newsletter and building an email list is an essential part of today’s creator economy. Whether you’re running your own business, selling digital products, promoting your art, or looking to launch a creative career, you need easy and direct access to your audience.

This is where Substack comes in.

I’ll talk you through the platform’s essential parts, the opportunities that exist there, how to craft and promote your newsletter, build community, and monetise.

My time on Substack has been a genuinely creative and fulfilling experience. I’ve launched and grown an email list, created new connections, received donations for my charity, and gained paid subscriptions.

Want to learn more about how Substack can benefit you?

The whole course can be accessed for free by clicking here

Learn more about the course 👇

My charity rely on grants, successful funding applications and public donations.

If you would like to support our service, and help some of the most vulnerable people in society, access therapeutic music sessions, then please visit here 👇

https://www.justgiving.com/charity/timemusiccharity

Every penny goes towards providing inclusive and therapeutic musical activity, that makes a real difference to peoples lives.

Thank you for any and every bit of support we receive.

How’s your relationship with work?

There’s a podcast I’ve been loving for a long time now. So it’s about time I shared it!

If you haven’t already, I recommend you listen to Jobsworth

The insights, lessons and learning curves, laughs and honesty shared, have become a huge source of inspiration and enjoyment for me.

“A podcast filled with stories from people changing their relationship with work, inspiring others to do the same.”

Share Marc Barnacle Guitar

I have a variety of online courses that cover:

Guitar, Bass & Ukulele tuition (from beginner to intermediate)
Creative Career guidance and advice (learn how to launch your dream business in the creative sector)
And now the Substack class mentioned above

Links are below, along with a free 1 month trial, where you can access the entire collection…

📝 Creative Career