Feel The Music

 "Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." - Plato

I really love music. I have always been a big fan of music for several reasons. Growing up I always seemed to be involved in music in some way, shape or form. As a musician, as a mobile disc jockey, as a student, as a salesperson and of course as an avid listener.

As a musician, I have felt this first hand while performing a song, the mood that music creates. I had a 'good ear' for music, as they say. I learned to play the piano, by ear, as a young child. I could just hear the music in my head and translate to action through my fingers. We had a piano in the house as I was growing up, yet I never took lessons. But just because of its physical presence in our home and my sheer interest in music, I would sometimes sit down and try to figure songs out as I had heard them. And eventually was able to 'play' almost anything. Throughout my youth I was involved in the school band and orchestra, playing the saxophone. Those were fun years and I had several close friends who also joined in band and orchestra. My interest didn't stop with just my own instrument.  I would always want to learn to play 'something' on other instruments too.  Usually musical scales. Because of that curiosity and interest, I can say that I can "play" the trumpet, clarinet, flute, guitar, trombone, violin and drums to some extent (and not very well).

As a disc jockey you help to set the mood to entertain others for hours. You can create an energy and become the life of the party. This was a popular thing to do in our High School and College years.  It was work, but it was fun work as it literally was always some sort of a celebration (a party, a wedding, our own gig, school function etc.)

As a student of music you can learn a lot about an artist or a period of time in history.  I took music theory courses in college.  I found it interesting to learn more about the history of music, and the history of musicians.

As a salesperson, in the musical instrument industry, you are able to share and teach your own personal joy of music with others.  Primarily the youth who would have the interest, and may be taking lessons for the first time.  I didn't teach, but was influential by being able to share my personal experiences growing up with music and the joy that it can bring. Research shows that taking music lessons predetermines high academic performance and IQ scores in young children. 

As a listener, certain songs can create an emotional anchor to specific people or events in your life. They create memories to last a lifetime. The feelings and emotions that music can stir up inside of you.  In an instant, hearing a particular song can bring back a fond memory, give you a quick burst of energy, cause you to shed a tear or bring a big smile to your face, remind you of an old friend or a loved one, or make you want to dance or relax and take it all in!  

It has been said that music actually increases happiness and that if you need an emotional boost listening to your favorite songs it only takes 15 minutes for your body to start feeling a 'natural high'. This is because your brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that leads to increased feelings of happiness, excitement and joy, when you listen to music you like. 

Some other benefits:

• Music can improve your workout performance: Science found that runners who listened to music that motivated them while running actually ran faster than those who didn't listen to music, in an 800-meter dash. Also listening to motivating music during weight training can help encourage your training and push you to work harder.
• Music has a direct effect on your hormones: Listening to enjoyable music decreases the levels of the hormone cortisol in your body, which counteracts the effects of chronic stress.
• Music can help sleep and insomnia: Over 30% of Americans suffer from insomnia. A study showed that listening to classical or smooth jazz within an hour of going to bed can significantly improve your sleep. 
• Music strengthens learning and memory: Researchers say that listening to music can help you learn and recall information more efficiently. Some of this, however, is directly tied to the degree of which you are personally motivated by music, and whether or not you play a musical instrument. A study showed that musicians actually learned better with neutral music, but tested better with music they liked; where non-musicians learned better with positive music, but tested better with neutral music.

Music can tell you "without words" what is going to happen in a movie.  It adds to ambiance: sets the mood, character, quality, tone or atmosphere to any environment or situation.

If you dig deeper, a good song will tell you a story...or cause you to stop and think about your life. Key lyrics that make a difference can possibly even change lives.  Here are a few verses from a few different songs that talk about living and taking control of your own life.  It is up to you to make the changes when life gets you down. These words can help you to understand things you may be going through in your own life, and make a connection. Here are some great lyrics:

"I know this pain.

Why do you lock yourself up in these chains? 

No one can change your life except for you

Don't ever let anyone step all over you

Just open your heart and your mind

Is it really fair to feel this way inside? 

You could sustain

Or are you comfortable with the pain?

You've got no one to blame for your unhappiness

You got yourself into your own mess

Letting your worries pass you by

Don't you think it's worth your time, to change?"

(Wilson Phillips - Hold On)

"So many times, it happens too fast

You change your passion for glory

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past

You must fight just to keep them alive."

(Survivor - Eye of The Tiger)

"And then a hero comes along,

With the strength to carry on,

And you cast your fears aside and you know you can survive,

So when you feel like hope is gone,

Look inside you and be strong,

And you'll finally see the truth that a hero lies in you."

(Mariah Carey - Hero)

"I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror

I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways

And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place 

Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change"

(Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror)

"Your goals are just a thing in your soul

And you know that your moves will let them show

You keep creating pictures in your mind

So just believe they will come true in time

It will be fine leave all of your cares and stress behind and

Just let it go

Let the music flow inside forget all your pain

And just start to believe"

(Yolanda Adams - I Believe)

"You know you can do it

Don't you know that you can do anything

You can take anything, you make it your own

Don't you know that you can do anything

And you don't have to do it alone"

(Carole King - You Can Do Anything)

"This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill

Fifteen percent concentrated power of will

Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain

And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!"

(Fort Minor - Remember The Name)

"All you touch and all you see,

Is all your life will ever be."

(Pink Floyd - Breathe)

"In your life expect some trouble 

But when you worry 

You make it double 

Don't worry, be happy......"

(Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy)

"It's my life

And it's now or never

I ain't gonna live forever

I just wanna live while I'm alive"

(Bon Jovi - It's My Life)

"I hear babies cry, I watch them grow

They'll learn much more than I'll ever know

And I think to myself...what a wonderful world."

(Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World)

"Don't stop believing...hold on to the feeling!"

(Journey - Don't Stop Believing)

Music can bring you pleasure and transport you to a better place. Music can calm you down or pump you up. Music can bring you peace and help get you through pain. Music can help you relax or make you more productive. 

Take the time to listen to some good music. Let the rhythm and the sounds move you. Let a good set of lyrics inspire you. Emotion comes from motion. Learn to feel the music, because music IS what FEELINGS sound like. It can literally impact and change your lives. 

Live the life you deserve! Make the rest of your life the best of your life, starting today!

Make today great!

Curtis

"Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a little while." - Elton John