Music, Memories, Mood!

In about 4th or 5th grade I would sneak into the room my brothers shared and blare "Band on the Run" from their 8 track tapes, all the while looking out the window to see if they were walking down the street so I could turn it off and run. To this day I love that song and all the memories and laughs it brings.

Fast forward to this week when I was in my mouth surgery and was blaring classical music while the work was being done. I didn't want any words in my music, I just wanted instruments to cover the sounds. What I realized as a tear started rolling down my cheek was that I hadn't listened to classical music since my dad died. Every Sunday after church and before the Packer game or his outside chores commenced, the classical music was played throughout our house. I even got to attend a Gershwin concert with him, which was always special when you grow up in a big family.

Music and Memories are powerful!

About 6 months into the pandemic, I needed to return a rental car. I hadn't driven anywhere for some time, so I turned on the hard rock station in my rental and took a drive to the Wisconsin border before I turned the car in. I didn't realize how much steam I needed to let go of. The hard rock old songs I knew by heart and could sing along to was just what I needed.

I felt so much better!

When the pandemic hit I started to teach group classes via Zoom and I couldn't use music(in case the music police were listening.) It was strangely quiet. I realized that the playlists I built helped me know where I was in class and also helped me move faster or slower depending on the song that was playing at the time. I've learned to enjoy the quiet, but I must say I do love to practice & teach to all types of music depending on my mood. I love the energy it provides and I love the way it helps me turn inside.

Here we are 2 weeks from Christmas!

Have you been listening to Christmas music since Halloween or Thanksgiving or not quite yet. Does Christmas music playing at a certain time come from how it was done in your childhood or did you change the rules to suit you?

Here are a few songs I love to dance to:"Build me up Buttercup," "Firework," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." And my favorite memory from my daughter and son-in-laws wedding was dancing with my family to Bruce Springsteens "Meet me at Mary's Place."

How does music fuel you, calm you, change your mood & provide memories for you?