JB Music

The Best Music Apps You’re Not Using Enough

jbmusic — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:51:42 +0000

	Songza is hands down my favourite app. You can choose from a rather long list of activities, and have curated playlists served up to you based on what you’re doing. Songza has gone even further with the introduction of the ‘concierge’ feature. Concierge takes what it knows about your music preferences, notes whether or not you’re on a PC or a mobile device, and factors in the day and the time. From there, it gives you a list of five or six activities that you are probably in the midst of, and from there you can filter based on genre or mood, and choose a playlist. This is a GREAT way to find NEW music.
	Richseam lets you discover music through the collaborations and connections of your favourite artists.Artists work with those who inspire them, bands share members, musicians produce and tour together. So type in your favourite artist and you can dig a little deeper into the world of music through those you already admire most. Richseam is a music discovery platform that’s built around artists’ connections and collaborations. It surfaces these connections and collaborations with a view towards helping you discover new artists and music – so if your favorite R&B band’s drummer also played guitar in a punk outfit, Richseam’s Web app will help surface this information.
	Shazam Identifies songs and TV shows quickly when you hold up your device and tap a button. From there, you can navigate to the song or video on YouTube or a 30-second iTunes preview. Shazam also displays lyrics in time with the music, as well as artist info and concert/tour info. Facebook integration lets you see what friends are Shazam-ing and comment on their posts from within the app.
	Mixtaping.FM is a fun, simple Web app that does a pretty good job of re-imagining the mix-tape for the digital generation, taking the full analogy beyond that of the music itself, onto cover art and liner notes too. Create your own mix-tape and share with your friends.
	Songify is a creative app that turns speech into music. Just speak into your Android device, and Songify will magically turn your speech into a song. A great way to make your own tunes. As The New York Times aptly puts it, Songify is the kind of thing, “that your friends will be waving in your face for a week until they tire of it, or until you scream at them to stop.”

Welcome to “Music Speaks,” the blog of JB Music Therapy. If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to get new articles easily, join the conversation by commenting on posts, or forward this music message to others who may benefit.

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Jennifer Buchanan, BMT, MTA is the happy owner of JB Music Therapy and Author of TUNE IN. Our “Music Speaks” Blog aims to inspire you to use music with greater intention and knowledge. Call us to help or and browse our resources here.

7 Steps to Being a Happy, Healthy Leader

jbmusic — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:16:07 +0000

Click Here for Slides and Notes

Music Therapy offers the community an extension to their health care and a boost to their learning.

The world needs music therapy leaders more than ever.

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The Mindful Music Therapist

jbmusic — Tue, 07 May 2013 03:09:34 +0000

When Music Therapists rush, we can feel unprepared…for the unexpected. I remember the day I dropped my children off at daycare, raced to my first session, and realized when I got there all I had was a single drum and a shaker in my trunk. NO GUITAR…and NO PIANO at the site.

WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO?

Luckily during my training at Capilano University in British Columbia they taught me to improvise and not panic (aka. fake it with confidence)…because music therapy is MORE than a guitar and a piano and even a drum and shaker – Music Therapy is about using music mindfully…with purpose…with intention…that is what makes every music therapy session unique.

The Mindful Music Therapist does TWO Things:

1. Sets their Intention

Before entering a music therapy session a music therapist takes time to not only plan a suitable program plan aimed at specific goals, they also address their own personal emotional state and take time to address their client’s long term goals and the immediate goal for the end of the session. In the case of this particular day, I had to leave my feeling of being rushed and stressed AT THE DOOR and revisit the goals of the client – in this case to feel inspired and more motivated. Essentially a music therapist must always remind themselves: What is my purpose for being here? What do I want my client to experience? What is my desired outcome for the end of the session?

2. Focus’ their Attention

A music therapy session may have a general framework but it is not something that is ever by rote. It is in a constant state of improv (musical flux) – moving from one feeling to another – flowing seamlessly depending on where the client needs to go. The energy in the room is constantly monitored and the therapist uses the responses in that happen in the moment to guide them to the next moment – this takes incredible focus and attention to details…the subtle details.

The Mindful Music Therapy has a lot on their mind during a session – their level of intention AND focus is what will make the sessions they facilitate engaging and successful.

Our Team uses a common, accessible art-form (music), bringing it into the foreground to help people speak, move, feel more comfortable in groups, and most importantly feel better about home, school, work and life.
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The Relevance of Music Therapy Today

jbmusic — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:05:39 +0000

TUNE IN: Strategies for Using Music with Intention to Improve your Home and Work - available on Amazon

This week American Idol featured the impressive work of music therapy in a children’s hospital setting. What PR that is for a profession that started in the 50s and continues to grow today. Outstanding.

But where is the relevance of Music Therapy for you?…the person reading this blog….what can music therapy potentially do for you, your families, your workmates?

Science has caught up with what music therapist’s have been witnessing for many decades – that music can change the way a person feels, thinks and behaves.

Thanks to fMRI machines, the general public has been awakened to the power behind using music in almost every health and educational context.

SO WHAT CAN MUSIC DO FOR US?

Relax the mind and lower stress levels.
Music has a wonderful way of making the mind forget feelings of fatigue by helping individuals de-stress and relax. The right music can reduce cortisol levels, a chemical in the brain that causes you to feel stress in the first place.

Stimulate creativity by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain – going from sleepy brain to teachable brain.
Music that brings about feelings of joy has a positive effect on blood vessel functions. Preferred music causes tissue in the inner lining of blood vessels to expand, improving blood flow, whereas music that is perceived as stressful can cause blood vessels to narrow, restricting blood flow.

Inspire feelings – creating a clear passage to long-term memory.
Music helps us feel connected to our feelings, our environment and the people around us—to feel connected to a bigger experience, a memory or a person we love.

Change an individuals’s emotional state
Changing a negative or resistant emotional state is at the root of getting into a positive learning state. Music can help here, and it can also do the exact opposite – the wrong music (tone, style) can distract or even send and individual into a deep funk for some time afterwards.

WHAT DO MUSIC THERAPISTS DO WITH THIS INFORMATION?

A music therapist’s role is to ensure that music is used under the highest of ethical standards and with the largest body of knowledge. Music, a powerful resource, can do great things but it can also cause harm by bringing up lost or undesired memories. It can strike tones that hurt your ears, and can take individuals into a place of agitation. The music therapist monitors each individual response carefully. These responses in combination with the therapist’s program facilitation direct the client to reach their desired goals and objectives over a set period of time.

A Music Therapist sets the intention of the session based on the client’s goals.
Before entering a music therapy session a music therapist takes time to not only plan a suitable program plan aimed at specific goals, they also address their own personal emotional state and take time to address their client’s long term goals and the immediate goal for the end of the session. Essentially a music therapist must always remind themselves: What is my purpose for being here? What do I want my client to experience? What is my desired outcome for the end of the session?

A Music Therapist creates and continues to modify an ongoing program for the client.
A music therapy session may have a general framework but it is not something that is ever by rote. It is in a constant state of improv (musical flux) – moving from one feeling to another – flowing seamlessly depending on where the client needs to go. The energy in the room is constantly monitored and the therapist uses the responses in that happen in the moment to guide them to the next moment – this takes incredible focus and attention to detail…the subtle details.

Countries throughout the world have national certification programs for music therapists who have graduated with the prescribed educational requirements including supervised clinical work.

All good strategies are best if used with the right intention—music is no different. Sometimes we just need a professional guide. To find a professional (registered, licensed, accredited) music therapist near you contact:

Canada: www.musictherapy.ca
USA: www.musictherapy.org
International: www.musictherapyworld.net

Workshops and Presentations Available For Your Upcoming Conference, and Team Development Days

As usual I look forward to hearing from you…leave a comment below or email me direct.

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Jennifer Buchanan, BMT, MTA is the happy owner of JB Music Therapy and Author of TUNE IN. Our “Music Speaks” Blog aims to inspire you to use music with greater intention and knowledge, hire us to help, and purchase our products as required.

Music Tips to Boost your Productivity

jbmusic — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:56:11 +0000

I like to say my life is full….not busy….busy sounds scattered to me, whereas full…well sounds full. However full also means that there is no more room and that is not what I want for my day or week either. What I am always on the hunt for is a way to be more organized and more efficient in what I do, so I can create the margin required for the unexpected…..hopefully some extra fun in the week.Here is how you can use music to boost your productivity, and generate more margin in your life.

Music Targets Different Sides of Your Brain
Music is well known to stimulate both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously (actually no other activity seems to do this better than music), however there are some benefits to being able to switch between left-brain and right-brain. Ronald A. Berk of Johns Hopkins University suggests music is effective in isolating the side of the brain you wish to develop. To improve the function of your left-hemisphere Berk recommends that you listen to unfamiliar, fast, up-tempo music in major keys. As we have read many times over to relax the mind it is best to feed it with your preferences, however when we are working to stimulate and challenge the mind (stimulate your logic) using new music, that the brain needs to digest, can be effective. To work the right side of the brain (like when you are reading, studying, reflecting or engaging in creative pursuits) Berk suggests you want the exact opposite – slow music in minor keys. Slow, minor-key produce Alpha waves – these relax the brain, which can be useful and help your new experiences or learning pass into long-term memory (Millbower, L. (2000). Training with a beat: The teaching power of music. Sterling, VA: Stylus).

Play Happy Music
Listening to something happy – raises our mood, and a better mood is known to help people be more productive – it’s the happiness advantage. Not only did the sample of students from Penn state report more positive emotions after listening to music, but the already positive emotions were intensified by listening to music.”

Play music at work
The music industry has proof that you should listen to music while you work. In a survey commissioned by the UK licensing organizations PPL and PRS for Music, 77 percent of surveyed businesses say playing music in the workplace increases staff morale and improves the atmosphere. The results seemed to be greater productivity. However a summary of recent research from Taiwan shows while some background music can increase worker satisfaction and productivity, music with lyrics could have significant negative effects on concentration and attention. The study concluded that music without lyrics is preferable, as lyrics are likely to reduce worker attention and performance.

Use music to help you sleep
A 2010 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found employees with moderate sleep problems cost their companies about $2,500 in lost productivity a year. This study has also shown that listening to soft, slow (about 60 BPM) music like jazz or classical can improve the quality and duration of sleep, as well as improve functioning the next day.

As I repeat time and time again in TUNE IN, what makes music powerful is the intention in which it is used – use music with intention and improved productivity is possible.

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A Song a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

jbmusic — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:00:27 +0000

I am one of the lucky ones. I found music early (or probably more accurately, it found me). I have played in bands since grade 3, have sung in several musicals starting in grade 5, and participated in endless amount of choirs and vocal ensembles throughout my entire life. These experiences with music gave me a taste for what a powerful connector music can be – but it was not until I witnessed a music therapy group that I saw its true power.

I nervously made my way into the stark lobby. After waiting barely a minute a man came around the corner in a relaxed friendly manner, a guitar slung across his shoulder. “Hi, I’m Sam. You must be Jennifer,.” He said, “Come with me,” motioning for me to follow him. “We have a little way to go so we better hurry as the group starts in twenty minutes.” I picked up my bag and followed him.

I heard a lot of sounds, something in-between singing and talking. The voices echoed eerily off the walls. I recognized my own discomfort but Sam’s steady pace and on-going chatter put me at ease. A few feet from the doorway was a small person with blonde curly hair and glasses lying on the floor against the wall. I could not gauge her age but was told later that the group members were in their twenties. She was hitting her head repeatedly against the wall.

Sam bent down, touched the girl’s shoulder and said, “Hi Susan.” She immediately stopped hitting her head. He whispered a few words into her ear and tickled her shoulder and she began to laugh. He walked into her room, found a small wheelchair, lifted her into it and asked me to push her while we sought out a few other members. This scenario repeated four more times with Sam walking by a person who had not even noticed we were there until Sam gently touched a shoulder or knee to get their attention. Sam would help each of them to their feet or into a wheelchair. Soon we were a small group heading back through the winding halls to the group room.

Once we were gathered I helped Sam make a circle of chairs and wheelchairs. He instructed me to sit in the circle with everyone else. I nodded and felt somewhat more comfortable than I did before. I looked at all the individuals sitting around the room. They were different sizes and shapes. Some wore glasses and others squinted. Many looked like mobility was not a prime concern. Some were not able to sit up properly and needed pillows to be reasonably comfortable.

Once everyone was settled, he opened his guitar case and put the strap around the back of his neck. A quick tune, then a strum, and then a moment of silence. Heads lifted and their attention peaked. A small giggle escaped Susan. It was in the moment of the first few notes and chords that I saw a transformation in the small faces that just moments ago had held vacant stares, silence, or in Susan’s case, the violence of hitting her head against the wall. Legs started to swing, heads started to bob, and chins went back. Mouths opened and sounds started to escape from a few patients. Some even sang the words while others tapped the tray on their wheelchair. Sam was still smiling and I realized my toes had started tapping. (EXCERPT from TUNE IN)

Making music together and singing in particular makes us feel more connected – and there is a scientific reason for that: A study by Grape et al. examined the beneficial effects of singing upon the overall well-being amongst trained and untrained singers. Both groups of singers demonstrated an increase in oxytocin levels after singing. Oxytocin is the “connector hormone” since it is known to be released after a sensual encounter with a loved one and quickly boosts feelings of trust, reduces stress and promotes feelings of happiness. When we sing we are happier and can more easily cope with the stress in our lives.

An exploratory study by Clift and Hancox collected information from students in a university choir about the perceived personal and health benefits that could result from making music together.

87% percent of the students responded positively in believing that they benefited socially
75% believed that they benefitted emotionally
58% thought that they benefitted physically
22% of the students believed that they experienced reduced stress and anxiety

If music can work for the kids that Sam works with, and for stressed out university students then what can music do for you?

Music = Cheap Health Care

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Listening to Music can Reduce Chronic Pain and Depression by 25%

jbmusic — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:00:29 +0000

Listening to music can reduce chronic pain by up to 21% and depression by up to 25%, according to a paper in the UK-based Journal of Advanced Nursing.*

These stats continue to impress me even after all these years of being a music therapist – they are statistically significant and are based on people being prescribed just one hour of specific music a day.

Although most of our sessions are weekly (typically .5 to 1.5 hours per week) my experience suggests that our clients feel a minimum of 5% better after every session – and for some of our clients 5% is the lifeline they need.

One of the reasons I have remained in the profession of music therapy is because of how effective music can tap into the part that has not been affected by mental or physical illness and help anyone feel less disabled by their condition.

Researchers reviewed data from eight trials involving 213 patients who were undergoing stressful procedures in the hospital. Patients, who had various conditions, including lung disease, cardiac disease and trauma injuries were all receiving the stressful experience of mechanical breathing support via mouth, nose, or tracheotomy. In several trials, patients were visited by a trained music therapist who provided live music with a tempo matched to the respiratory rate of the patient. On average, listening to music reduced anxiety compared to standard care with no music. It also reduced heart and breathing rates.

More about….WHAT IS MUSIC THERAPY?

* (Effect of music on power, pain, depression and disability. Sandra L Siedlecki, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, and Marion Good, Case Western University, Ohio. Journal of Advanced Nursing. Volume 54.5, pages 553 to 562).

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Music can help the brain recover after damage

jbmusic — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:00:54 +0000

Brittany Lloyd and Andrea Curry, MTA. An estimated 1.5 million people in the U.S. sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year, of whom 80,000 to 90,000 will be left with long-term disability. In Canada, the annual incidence of TBI is greater than that of Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury, HIV/AIDS and Breast Cancer combined.

Studies suggest that music therapy can be a valuable asset to individuals who are working to recover their abilities after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Highly structured music has been shown to help patients organize their thoughts, emotions, and actions. One high-profile instance of music therapy in recent years has been that of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who used music to help her to recover her speech after a gunshot wound left her with a serious brain injury.

Dr. Joke Bradt of the Arts and Quality of Life Research Center at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa., carried out a Cochrane Systematic Review of music therapy in recovery from brain injury. Her research team reviewed seven studies involving 184 patients. All were controlled studies, meaning they compared music therapy against standard care.

In one example, Music therapy (incorporating rhythm and movement, singing and the use of music listening, music improvisation and composition) improved walking speed by an average of 14 meters per minute, compared to standard therapy.”

What we can tell you for certain is what we are seeing amongst our almost 100 clients at JB Music Therapy who have neurological impairment due to stroke or TBI: a) rhythms compel people to move b) new language is sparked with singing and c) spirits have been lifted during the greatest challenges in their life. Music does more than just affect the physical – it can change the way a person views themselves and their world – from feeling hopeless to hopeful, from incompetent to whole.

JB Music Therapy is fortunate to be connected to some very important leaders in the area of brain injury:

A. Read about the research happening in Calgary Alberta by the internationally renowned Dr. Bin Hu. With support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Dr. Hu and his team have been investigating different types of music devices and their usability in Parkinson’s patients. Preliminary studies of patients using modified iPods look promising, as the devices appear to help patients improve their gait. The music reminds the user to take longer walking steps, according to Dr. Hu. The device provides three R’s: rhythm, reward and a reminder to walk.”

B. Read the story of Brittany Lloyd and her music therapist, Andrea Curry and what has been happening for them over Brittany’s many years of participating in music therapy, after her head injury: Neighbours – Calgary Herald – Andrea Curry and Brittany Lloyd

C. Watch a video of using music therapy with persons with Brain Injury at ARBI (the Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured):

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Music in the Mind

jbmusic — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:02:45 +0000

Thanks to brain imaging devices, researchers have been able to determine that music activates multiple brain regions, which is why it has such a global impact on our memory, immune response, stress response, and our emotions.

W5 developed an incredible series called the Musical Brain to offer the general public greater insight into music’s benefits in addressing the entire brain.

The theory that music induces more activity among all brain areas (called coherence) is true: musicians have greater coherence than non-musicians, and females have greater coherence than males ( I always thought I was more coherent than my husband).

In the Musical Brain you will witness the wonderful images of Sting’s brain as he listens, reflects, and composes music in an MRI machine.

From infancy, we are processing unbelievable amounts of information. And research has proven that playing music is one of the only activities that taps into EVERY area of the brain.

Studies show, over and over again, that all people, regardless of age or ability who participate in consistent music programs, show significant improvements in learning, maintenance and development of motor skills, auditory skills and social-emotional skills not to mention the benefits on productivity, creativity and mood.

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Jennifer Buchanan, BMT, MTA is the happy owner of JB Music Therapy and Author of TUNE IN. Our “Music Speaks” Blog aims to inspire you to use music with greater intention and knowledge, hire us to help, and purchase our products as required.

Music Centred Camps Help Kids

jbmusic — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:26:48 +0000

In 2003 a group of parents with special needs children looked at me intently, awaiting my reply to – “will you design a music based camp for our kids?” They referred to their children as having strong affinities to music yet not fitting well into the “regular” music and art camps currently available. They had hopes that their child wouldn’t lose any of the great gains they had made in the school year at their rehabilitation, educational and therapeutic programs.

Marilyn contacted our office during her quest of seeking out summer camps for her granddaughter Kara. She had the hope of helping Kara develop the necessary social skills she would need for kindergarten. Up to this point Kara had limited social interaction with her peers and her grandmother was concerned for a difficult transition to school. Kara is a non-verbal, anxious, sweet mannered girl with a “creative bent” Marilyn explained. After learning about the camp goals and in particular the focus on social development through the use of music, she enrolled Kara into one week of Therapy Express.

At the end of the camp I had an opportunity to sit with Marilyn. With tears in her eyes she explained a little about Kara and why she is now in her care. Kara’s mom abandoned her when she was 2 months old. Kara’s dad had difficulties raising her due to pre-existing mental health concerns so Marilyn, Kara’s paternal grandmother, took Kara in full time when she turned two and a half. Now at the age of four Marilyn was afraid she had not prepared her granddaughter for school.

After Kara’s first day at Therapy Express, Marilyn commented that she had never seen Kara pay attention for so long and that it was the first time in a long time she had seen her share a smile with another child. She enrolled Kara into a second camp that summer and then set up regular music therapy sessions throughout the school year to assist with her transition into the school system. In addition to her class work Kara continues to participate in a variety of therapies and is now speaking.

Goals and Client Criteria
Therapy Express is built on the premise that children feel a strong sense of belonging and connectedness while also empowered to develop new skills that will assist them in successful day to day activities. The camps strive to bridge children socially and give every child a voice. Specific areas addressed are development of verbal expression, music communication, large and small group social interactions gross and fine motor development as well as improved self – esteem and self-confidence.

The Use of Curriculum for Therapeutic Camps – an unusual blend of function and creativity
When designing Therapy Express we hoped to capitalize on the best music therapy had to offer – high engagement quotient, successful group experiences, natural appeal for children and the ability to work on physical and socio-emotional skills in a single program plan. After much discussion we decided to blend this therapeutic context with educational curriculum. Each day has a primary theme with written details of activities/interventions/experiences that echo that theme. Themes include: “My Body’s Special” “I’m Like the Weather” “Friends and Family.” Every planned interaction provides the therapy team flexibility to improvise to ensure maximum success.

Each year our binder grows with new ideas on how to express the core curriculum pending the student’s age, abilities and interests.

The Final Performance
On the last day of camp the aides, parents and friends of the children are invited to attend a 30-minute presentation that allows each child to shine.

The final performance highlights the child while also giving the therapists an opportunity to speak to families who may not have participated directly in the camp. Our mission is that families, months after camp has ended, inform us that their child has continued to build on the skills they developed during Therapy Express. What happens at camp SHOULD NOT stay at camp.

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Jennifer Buchanan, BMT, MTA is the happy owner of JB Music Therapy and Author of TUNE IN. Our “Music Speaks” Blog aims to inspire you to use music with greater intention and knowledge, hire us to help, and purchase our products as required.