Executive’s Message continued from page 14
enjoyment . . . during lunch or before school starts. Have a “music” plan during your prep period, as well. If you need to work with numbers or attention to detail, listen to classical music. Listen to pop music if your work involves menial, repetitive tasks. If your work involves doing math, listen to ambient music. If you need to problem-solve, listen to dance music.
Take Music Breaks
Microsoft blasts music for the workforce at three o’clock in the afternoon when everyone’s energy is waning. Some people get up and dance, and everyone claps when the song is over. Why not include a music break in your classroom? Pick something fun to raise morale and foster camaraderie
in the
ensemble or classroom. Any age level can appreciate a brief break with fun music – even in a music class. This is your “fun” playlist. But if you need to make it educational, too, pick one element of music you want them to identify, then play a good example and see if they hear it.
Play Music As You Exercise. Studies have shown that listening to music while you exercise makes your workout seem less of an exertion. Songs between 120 and 140 beats per minute (bpm) make you work out harder. If you don’t know the BPM of a song, look it up online. You can use the site Song BPM. Put together your favorites for your “workout” playlist.
Listen to Music Before Bed Slow songs help you fall asleep. Lyz Cooper of the British Academy of Sound Therapy explains that you should look for songs that have 60 bpm or less if you want to relax. She adds that you should ideally choose songs that remind you of a happy time – your “soothing” playlist. The research also shows that over time, you will fall asleep more quickly and have more restful sleep thanks to your bedtime music routine.
Music and Your Mood In the book Your Playlist Can Change Your Life: 10 Proven Ways Your Favorite Music Can Revolutionize Your Health, Memory, Organization, Alertness and More, the authors recommend that you “use music strategically throughout the day to control your moods and emotions.”
So here’s a fun activity your can do for yourself or even with your students or your family: use a five star system to rate songs based on different emotional states (see the chart below). You’ll be creating awareness of how different songs influence feelings.
winter 2019 |
www.wyomea.org
Create a Music Bucket List You may have a bucket list already drawn up. But now create a bucket list just about music. You can include things such as: • Build a classical music library. • Become an expert on Reggae. • Form a rock band. • Go to a Drake concert. • Learn to dance the salsa. . . . the possibilities are endless.
Bring music to life by adding more music to your own life! Resources
Cooper, Lyz. (2012) What is Sound Healing. Watkins Publishing, London, England
Mindlin, G, DuRosseau, D, Cardillo, J. (2016) Your Playlist Can Change Your Life: 10 Proven Ways Your Favorite Music Can Revolutionize Your Health, Memory, Organization, Alertness and More. Sourcebooks, Naperville, IL.
Nemko, Marty. “How to do Life: Fresh ideas about career and personal issues.” (2018) Psychology Today Online Blog, www.
psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-do-life.
How relaxed does this song make me feel?
How happy does this song make me feel?
How energized does this song make me feel?
How motivated and inspired does this song make me feel?
How focused do I feel when I listen to this song?
Then create a playlist for the different feelings and emotions that you want to experience. For example, a “Pumped Up Playlist,” a “Relaxation Playlist,” a “Concentration Playlist.” Match playlists to specific daily tasks so that you can use music to function at your best.
(VERY) (MOSTLY) (SOME) (A LITTLE) (NOT-SO-MUCH)
Sandy Steele is a veteran music teacher in Wyoming, where she taught choir and AP Music Teory for 32 years. Sandy has served WMEA as Treasurer, Manager, Choir Vice President, NAfME Northwest Mixed and Treble Choir Managers, and currently Executive Director and Editor. She was honored to be named the 2011 WMEA Music Educator of the Year and the recipient of the 2019 Northwest Division Distinguished Service Award.
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