Whether it’s the music or lyrics that you focus on – the relationship we have with both evolves as we invite (or allow) them to take space in our head and in our heart.
Perhaps you’ve already started to reminisce about your favoured childhood pop star, or the garage bands you and your friends seemed to form at nauseum. Perhaps you’ve scribbled a line or two, thinking your lyrics could be the next chorus to a top 10 hit. Or perhaps you were that reluctant musician, encouraged by your parents to take music lessons but rarely found the time or interest to hone your skills.
The nostalgia of music comes in many forms. Reminding some of certain periods of life, places or people. Feelings of nostalgia are said to occur during times of adversity and difficult transitionary periods. Psychological research confirms that we tend to remember more events from our teenage and early adult years, and that our favourite music also tends to be from this time.
Additionally, among the arts, music is one of the most personal forms of expression. We imagine ourselves caught within the swirling rhythms and melodies, an emotional cacophony of experience and sound, lost inside the cavernous expanses. ~Pitulah
But how does one genuinely appreciate music? As a performer, you’d strive for a strong connection on stage between the other performers and the audience. You’d seek to stand out as an individual. You’d have great musicianship, play with confidence, and vocally, you’d have a really good tone. As a music enthusiast, you’d seek to relate to the music on a sensual or physical level, your soul urging your body to move to the beat, for pleasure and enjoyment. Enthusiasts don’t necessarily have any musical expertise, such as a familiarity with the technical elements of music, but somehow, just by listening, you allow yourself to appreciate it – to understand it.
We all listen to assorted styles and genres of music – folk, rock and pop, classical, ethnic, world music, jazz, brass band, musicals. The list could go on. The important thing to note is that music of every type is easily accessible to listen to and to engage with. But does accessibility mean music has become far more homogenous? Not that those assorted styles and genres of music no longer exist, but ‘Are they being pushed aside in favour of more mainstream music?’. Lee Mcintosh writes ‘With the rise and dominance of streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music & Tidal, artists no longer feel the need to have to release traditional physical albums anymore.’. How sad.
So, however you choose to listen to your favourite music or lyrics, or whatever the memorable tempo or chorus is that sticks in your head and beats in your heart, enjoy… for the love of music.
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Jacqueline’s nickname growing up was ‘Jazz’. Mainly because she was involved in all aspects of the music scene, from singing to playing, recording, performing, and even teaching. She’s played every wind instrument from the tuba to the piccolo and finds comfort on-stage belting out tunes to the latest musical, operetta, national anthem, or church hymn. She is the founder of an inner-city arts program, called ArtStart, a program that provides exposure to visual art, drama, dance, and music. Jacqueline is anticipating a major theatrical comeback when Broadway calls, but she isn’t holding her breath.
Photo by Jolene Elsie Photography | Makeup by Viking’s Edge Hair
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