Turn up the Music, Cut down the Stress
Right now, particularly in the painful throes of political debates, the world needs less talking and more music. We’d all be happier, more serene, less stressed. If politicians would sing and play an instrument, I’d be more inclined to listen. (Unless it was the same old song and dance we’ve heard before.)
I was fortunate to have grown up in a musical family. My mother was a pianist and an organist. All four siblings took piano lessons, including me, until the Beatles crossed the Atlantic with their earth-shaking musical renaissance, and the Beach Boys invented surf music. I begged my mother to let me switch to guitar, which she did, as long as I took lessons, which I did.
The Beatles changed everything.
15 Minutes of Fame.
Fast forward. After playing in several garage bands, I had my 15 minutes of fame when our band opened for Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels at the Terrace Ballroom in Salt Lake City and in Boise, Idaho. We then appeared on Paul Revere and The Raider’s TV show called “Happenings ‘68” in Los Angeles and cut an audition tape for Dunhill Records at Sunset West recording studio where the Beach Boys, Animals, and Mama’s and Papa’s recorded their music. The tape was well received, but then two guys in the band got drafted, went to Vietnam and that was the end of the band. But not the memories.
I got to record in the Beach Boys studio.
Satellite technology makes for easy access.
The point is, we can all live richer lives with music, whether playing it, or listening to it. Music makes everything better. Satellite technology has made it easy to access music 24/7, no matter where you are. I have a music app on my phone and a pair of Bluetooth earphones, so I can have custom music tracks wherever I go, even on my trike rides. And the earbuds let me answer the phone if I need to.
Around the house, I have Amazon’s Echo., linked to a music app. I have the first-generation unit, but the sound quality is quite good.
Mother Nature makes her own music.
’ll admit, there are times when the only music I want is Mother Nature’s. The sound of wind in the aspens, rushing water in Big Cottonwood Creek or the morning song of a meadowlark is hard to beat and very therapeutic.
Therapeutic music is a whole other category. It’s for real, medically and otherwise. My favorite meditation app Mindbliss has a whole section just for music with carefully constructed tonalities and structures designed to relax and rejuvenate.
For an in depth look at therapeutic music, check out the Music for Healing and Transition Program (MHTP). It focuses on real live performers playing acoustic music live, rather than recorded music, to change, create, or enhance moods and to help relieve suffering.
Ageless Rock and Roll icons.
Musically speaking I’m a child of the 60’s and 70’s, with my music tastes steeped in the Beatles, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, Doobie Brothers, Eagles, et al. For me, their music is timeless.
My 12-string guitar for that Beatles sound.
Ageless rock and roll icons like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Mick Jagger, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Billy Joel, Elton John and others are still packing ‘em in. (At least they were pre-Covid-19, and they will again!) Our generation is fortunate to have grown up with such lasting artistry.
My advice for a richer life? Turn off the talking. Turn up the music. The corners of your mouth will turn up, too.