Life in 3/4 time

I love Life's endless song as it unfolds around me in its diverse forms. The other day I  played in the newborn ICU at the hospital. My fingers made up lullabies to soothe the babies and eased the stress of the nurses and mothers.  Life in 3/4 time is relaxing and slowed down, a healing balm for us all in world that encourages us to go, go, go.

The tempo of the waltz mimics the human heart. The gentle swaying rhythm brings the same feeling as rocking.  As I play music on my guitar in a slow tempo between 50-70 bpm, this is the rhythm the babies heard in the womb as the mothers' resting heartbeat.

As I was playing, a doctor and  medical students gathered round one of the newborns.  They appeared to be doing some kind of medical teaching. After the lesson was over, the doctor told me he'd never seen a guitar in ICU before.  He seemed very impressed and knew some of the pieces I played (those that I didn't make up!)  Then I told him all about my work as a Musician-in-Residence at the hospital.  Though I have done this job since 2004, I still feel blown away by how great it is.

Music is healing for us all and I feel so grateful to bring it to all different places and people.

To those of you in blogsphere, do you have special music you like to listen to to relax or help you sleep?

Ain't Misbehavin' and when a song is a play

Yesterday's favorite song (chosen by a member of the group where I sang) was "Ain't Misbehavin'" --a 1920s New Orleans jazz song written by Fats Waller.

When I was a child,  I wanted to be an actress and I enjoyed playing various roles in plays. I also did other roles in productions such as stage manager, helping to build props, working backstage.

I am struck by how much singing for others is a lot like being an actress.   To learn a new song such as "Ain't Misbehavin' requires learning about a different genre of music. I also like to learn the historic background of a song.  For instance, it is said that this song was written while Fats Waller was serving a short stint in alimony prison. (that was why he was not "misbehavin')

Anyway, what I love about having a diverse music repertoire is it is like an actress who plays a variety of roles.  The best actors play serious dramatic parts but can also play a funny role. They are versatile and flexible and diverse.  The best actors can hook us into the story and can portray a character so believable, we forget they are acting.

Music is the same way. I like to study songs and genres and learn different styles.  It is like learning a new dialect or language to connect with people. It is why they say music is the "universal language".
When I am able to grow by learning new things as well as bring happiness to others by playing a song that has a happy memory associated with it, there is no better feeling.

Yesterday was Memorial Day so our group sang indoors for an hour or so until the BBQ party got started.  Then food and volleyball followed--such fun!

Old friends

 

When I say, "old friends" --I don't mean people who have been friends for years-but I mean elderly people who form new friendships. In all my work at nursing homes, I haven't often seen friendships  among residents. I am sure it happens and that I don't normally see it because when I am there, they are in a group. But lately I have been seeing friends forming and it is great to see this.

At one home where I work there have been quite a number of new people who joined the community. Last night I saw two new women friends sitting in the hallway talking intensely and doing something that looked like arm wrestling. It is nice to see because before the new arrival,  Ms. Louise didn't seem to have friends there. (or I never saw her with them) But her new friend and her were carrying on and laughing and talking. Later when I walked by, Ms. Louise had fallen asleep with her head on her new friends' shoulder and holding hands with her.

Today at another home I saw something that reminded me of myself when I was a teenager. I was a mischievous friend who liked to tease and play pranks on my friends.  Until today, it never occurred to me that seniors have these kind of friendships. While we were singing in a group, I could see two women making funny faces at each other and poking each other in the head and other things.  I had never seen them doing this before.  I guess friends are the same at whatever age.  I wonder what kind of friend I be when I am in my 80s?  Will I arm wrestle and tease them? Will I work to keep their trust?  How will friendships change as we get older? Oddly enough, I never thought about it until today.
What do you think?

Featured on AuxSend TV program

There's this great TV show out of Winchester, VA that I was fortunate to be featured on. It is right before Austin City Limits. Pretty cool! Here is the episode if you'd like to watch it and thanks much for stopping by today!

An interview with Silence

 

 Those of you not from Charlottesvile may not know that I was a radio DJ for 20 years at WTJU. I did acoustic/folk shows featuring lesser known and unsigned artists and songwriters.  Over the years I also did some specialty shows for fundraisers. In one program, I did some comedy stuff and among other things I did an interview with Silence. Here is more or less how it went:

(Doorbell rings) Enter the studio Silently..

Me:  Hello, Silence thank you for coming today. I know you are in big demand these days, so I really appreciate your time.

Silence:

Me:  I've always wanted to ask you these questions, are you ready now for the interview?

Silence:

Me:   What was the wildest thing you've ever done since you've been Silent?

Silence:

Me: What has been the most challenging aspect of being Silence?

Silence:

Me: What is your happiest memory of being Silence?

Silence:

Me: Where did the saying, "silence is golden" come from?

Silence:

Me: If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it--was that you playing a joke?

Silence:

Me: What is your favorite sound?

Silence:

Me: Well, now I think I will open this up for our audience to ask you some questions. Will that be alright?

Silence:

Me:  You are welcome to write your questions right here for Silence to answer. 

Thank you very much for all of your very wise replies, Silence!

Silence:

Smile

Today at a nursing home where I sing monthly,  the group was not listening and we were not connecting. This particular group is hard because they are comprised of people who are at the home temporarily while they undergo rehab from surgery or injury. Therefore, they are not really a bonded group and each month it is different.

Anyway, I was singing for this group and some fell asleep and other drifted away and when  I saw that there was no connection to be made I decided to sing for myself. I sang, "Smile" composed by Charlie Chaplin (lyrics by another author later). I had my eyes closed for most of the song and when it came to an end and I opened my eyes, there was a man in a wheelchair in front of me with tears overflowing in his eyes. It looked as though he wanted to say something but appeared unable to talk. I said, "that was written by Charlie Chaplin."

He told me I had a very unusual voice and style. He asked what other ballads I played and I then sang, "Georgia" and "Fly me to the moon" and this got us talking and getting to know each other. He asked me all about my music career and where I am from and what I have done professionally. It was a rare moment I shared with him, someone who saw the real me--that is what it felt like. It felt like I unveiled a vulnerable part of myself and he was someone who truly valued and appreciated what he heard and saw.

I often try to sing uplifting songs at nursing homes--partly because some of them are on medications that make them drowsy and they need the stimulation. But I admit that my heart is really into the slow, romantic ballads. It was such a nice feeling when I felt that I was able to uncover that part of myself and that man saw it and he appreciated it.

Part of me wondered if maybe the others were not listening because I was not really being myself. I think people do feel this. And when I dropped that act and sang what was true to my heart, there was someone there who felt that.

Artists walk the fine line of being trying to please others while also trying to remain true to oneself. Today's lesson was to let the real me out more often and let the chips fall where they may.

When I said goodby to the gentleman who listened to me at the end, his eyes filled with tears again and he said, "thank you for the music." Really though,  I have him to thank.

St. Peter & the blue bandana

Last night at a nursing home where I play music in the hallways for the residents as they get ready for bed, I overheard a lively discussion.  Two women were debating as to whether or not St. Peter would "let them in". (I assumed they were talking about heaven.) Ms. Stevens, ever the worrier was telling Ms. Taylor that she didn't think she would get in. But Ms. Taylor, ever the nurturer and supporter was reassuring that St. Peter would definitely let her in.  I nearly started singing the song, "Sixteen Tons" where it says,

"sixteen tons and what do you get?
another day older and deeper in debt
St. Peter don't you call me cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store".

Instead I approached them and asked, "do you think St. Peter would let me in?" Both of them laughed, so I never quite got an answer. (or maybe that was the answer?)

Then I was playing for Ms. Brown and I had my blue bandana on my right arm that I use for a sleeve when I play my guitar. (during hot months of the year) She asked about my bandana and if I had someone I knew who worked at the railroad. This led to a lengthy discussion about her husband and father who worked for the railroad in West Virginia.  I have noticed quite a number of seniors have very positive memories associated with trains and railroads. We talk about this after singing, "I've been workin' on the railroad."

Then Ms. Brown asked that I sing, "I'll Fly Away". I often feel a little awkward singing this to elderly people because the song says, "when I die, hallelujah by and by-- I'll Fly Away". But then it occurred to me that maybe this is why they like it. It is a happy song about finally being free of their human suffering. As I sang, Ms. Brown nodded and closed her eyes and smiled.

 "To a land where joy never ends, I'll fly away..."