Music's Soothing Qualities

By Ginny Finch

How can someone fail to put together a sentence but sing all the lyrics in a song?

“One area of the brain controls both music and memory, and it’s one of the last areas of the brain to atrophy,” Dumbarton’s Cheryl Conway told adult ed participants.“Music is also in a structured form, and our brains prefer structure to chaos.”

Conway, a board-certified music therapist, launched MisiCapability a few years ago to enrich the lives of elderly persons in adult day care centers, nursing homes, and other locations.

“A music therapist creates a process in which everyone is successful ,” said Conway, who involves her clients in drum circles and other research-backed musical activities to enable movement, increase motivation, provide emotional support, and yes, even ease pain.

“Music is a social experience,” Conway added, demonstrating the principle by involving Dumbartonians in a rousing version of “Free At Last” accompanied by hand-held instruments.

And she offered these five tips on how we can use music to enhance our lives:

1. Listen to music that enhances your current emotional state;

2. Listen to music that changes your emotional state;

3. Be purposeful with your auditory environment;

4. Actively listen to music;

5. Expand your musical palette. Listen outside your comfort zone

. For more information about MusiCapability, visitwww.musicapability.com.