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Yesterday, my colleague Karla and I provided music for the grand opening of ComForCare here in Vancouver.  This company specializes in in-home care for seniors and the owners, Debi and Randy, are lovely, caring people.  We sang and played for 2 hours and got the chance to talk music therapy to 5 new people, including several massage therapists from Good Life Therapeutic Massage in Vancouver.  They joined us on the egg shakers and in a little dancing!  Awesome!

7 Days to Better Brain Power with Music! - Day 2

So Day 1 talked about listening to your favorite music.  Have you spent some time finding some great music to load onto your iPod?  While I was working yesterday, I turned on Pandora Radio to the choral music channel and listened to the glorious voices sing great choral works. It was so uplifting to hear the sounds I love and I found myself singing along and having a wonderful time  . . and getting a lot done, too!

So what's next?  Here's another way to boost your brain power through music:

2.       Learn to play a musical instrument.  

You’re never too old, or young, really, to learn a new instrument.  And doing so is tremendously beneficial to the brain.  Why? Because learning something new increases the “plasticity” of the brain. 

What?  Is my brain plastic?  No, it means that the brain continues to be able to learn new things as it ages, and can even regain lost use after damage caused by disease or injury.

We used to think the brain was pretty well set after childhood, but recent brain research shows the brain continues to change and adapt into adulthood.  We now know the brain has enormous capacity and learning an instrument as an adult is not only possible, but may greatly enhance your cognitive abilities!  Call that guitar teacher whose business card you tucked away in a drawer – now is the time to dust off that 6-string and strum away!  I learned guitar after turning 50, so if I can do it, you certainly can.

7 Days to Better Brain Power with Music!

Music boosts brain power! -- Over the next seven days, I will share with you an idea each day for using music to do just that.  These are simple, enjoyable ways to add music to your life while helping your brain function better and helping you feel better ~

Day One -- Listen to music you like

Everybody likes music, but our musical tastes are as different as we are.  Some of us love country, while others prefer the latest tunes on Z100.  Or do you love Beethoven?  Perhaps you prefer the music of your native culture, or maybe Mozart is your cup of tea.  Whatever you like best, the fact that you like the music has a psychological effect on your brain.  When you engage in activities you like, you tend to become more relaxed, happy and content.  Happiness has a positive effect on illness and disease, and music is a major facilitator for creating happy thoughts.  This is caused by a boost in the levels of serotonin in the brain brought about by engaging in a pleasant activity such as listening to music that you prefer.

Similarly, when you listen to music you like, there may be an instant elevation in the mood.  Or, depending on what music you choose, music can calm your nerves and induce relaxation.  Music can also evoke pleasant memories, such as your high school days or dancing with your sweetheart.  So choose the music you like best, or experiment with new genres to expand your preferences, and enjoy!

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So I was at a party yesterday and someone said, "So what exactly does a music therapist do?"  I love it!  Just the intro I needed to add some more people to my list.  So I talked to Julie and her husband Philip about music therapy and had a lively discussion about how different types of music can be used to create different types of environments.  Philip said he uses Bach when he needs to be analytical, and Charles Ives to bring out creativity.

I also ran into a former Kindermusik family and talked to them about my new career, so that adds 4 more, in addition to someone who called me asking about what I do because she was interested in finding out how she could become an MT.

The beat goes on: Percussionist finds his way back

"When I'm playing music, I forget that I'm in a wheelchair."

Check out this article about an amazing man who, 10 years after a serious car accident which broke his neck and left him paralyzed, earned a degree in music education from University of Texas El Paso.  He used his favorite music to encourage himself to get through his rehabilitative workouts, spurring him to realize the importance of music in his life.  He studied percussion, using adaptive mallets and drumsticks to play snare drum, steel, drum, and marimba.  This amazing young man graduated from UTEP this past May, and reminds us all of the healing power of music!

Here is the article in its entirety:

http://www.elpasotimes.com/living/ci_18307452?IADID=Search-www.elpasotimes.com-www.elpasotimes.com

Summer Stuff for Kids

It is summer finally!!.  School is out and it is time to crank up the summer fun.  Consider camps, classes and exploring the wonderful Northwest.  Here are some ideas from the recent SELF (Support for Early Learning and Families): newsletter:

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District's newest early learning offering is, of course, the beautiful new downtown library located on Evergreen and C Street.  A 4,000 square foot space on the third floor is dedicated to early learners.  Opening July 17, this state of the art center for preschoolers is a must do on your journey this summer. 

OMSI -- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

These camps lean toward older children, however, these are excellent camps and experiences for children that love science. 

  

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Summer Programs 

Reading programs for preteens and teens are available.  

 360-695-1566 / 866-546-2707

Regal Cinemas, Stadium 11, Highway 99 Location

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., movies will be $1

Beginning June 21 through August 25 Regal will feature a 10 a.m. movie on the above promotional days.  Go to the Vancouver Family Magazine website (www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com) to check out the movies for the summer.  Print the schedule out and post with all the other refrigerator art.

Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation

Battle Ground Parks and Recreation

 360-342-5380

Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium Summer Sleuths

Portland Children's Museum Camps and Classes

Child Care Resource & Referral

Don't forget the Oregon Zoo, swimming, skipping rocks on the water and sitting around a camp fire at night.  Get out there and have some fun with your children!

SELF's website is www.selfwa.org

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Another 16 people heard about music therapy today at our drum circle.  The circle was attended by fellow music therapists, church members and friends.  We drummed and played tone chimes and finished with the "heartbeat pass." The hour went by too fast!