Music in the Workplace

Here's some interesting info from Life@work:

Through the decades: Work-music connection centuries old

A University of Illinois study proves that when employees listen to music of their choice at the workplace, it soothes frayed nerves, drowns out distracting office chatter, boosts mood, and significantly enhances office performance.

However, the music-work connection goes beyond sleek iPods, nifty speakers and freshly-downloaded MP3 tracks.

Way back in the 1800s, handloom weavers and child labourers sang as they worked.

Some factories even hired orchestras to sing to workers. Apart from helping labourers stay awake (!), music was connected with:

* Increased productivity

* Fewer accidents

* Improved alertness

* Team interaction

During World War II, radio played a part in bringing music to the masses. In 1940, the British Broadcasting Corporation ran a radio programme, Music While You Work, especially for factory workers. The bands were instructed to play medleys to help workers focus attention on the tasks at hand. “A rhythm that would keep productivity up” was also among the requirements.

Cows Love Music Too!

More evidence for the power of music. If it works for cows, it can certainly work for you! Try singing as a healing, energizing part of your day!

This is an article from ech-chorouk online:

Mozart to the rescue of reluctant milk-cows.


Spanish farmers seem to find a solution for increasing their milk production. An innovative and apparently very persuasive way to make their cows produce more milk a day.

No, it is not a magic medicine nor a special type of grass, but very relaxing classical music composed by Mozart. It is commonly known that Mozart's music increases children IQs and make adults more creative, but when it comes to cows, nobody knows.

Some Spanish farmers wanted to experiment this revolutionary method, they decided to play Mozart's music for their cows in the cowshed, the outcome was unexpected and stunning, the "uninspired" cows seemed in very good mood and the outcome in milk was surprisingly high.

It seems that the Spanish farmers have found a solution to their plague, and the investment is cost-effective a Mozart's CD for a better milk outcome. The genius of Mozart seems to timeless, so after Mozart's therapy in hospitals, Mozart's therapy in the gardens , now comes the turn of Mozart's therapy in milk production, who's next ?!!

Want singing therapy in the privacy of your own home? Check out my Joyful Singing Series! Vol. One gives you all the basics plus your very own vocal exercise CD!

How Do You Spend Your Free Time?

Do you spend your 'free' time doing something that's stimulating, educational or relaxing? Or do you 'zone out' in seemingly mindless pursuits that put your brain to sleep?

Here's a good one for you compliments of Geri Robak:

Living Will

Last night, my wife and I were sitting in the living room and I said to her,
"I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some
machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug."

She got up, unplugged the TV and then threw out my beer.

Have a question about singing? I can help.

Prosperity

This is a great quote compliments of the Evergreen Church in Bellevue, WA:

"Prosperity is a way of living and thinking, and not just
money or things. Poverty is a way of living and thinking,
and not just a lack of money or things.”
~ Eric Butterworth

Have a question about singing? Need some free advice?

Gardening for Health

Being an avid gardner who loves creating beauty and working with the natural cycles of the seasons I've become personally aware of the beneficial effect of working in the garden. Just as singing is its own type of therapy, gardening, or horticultural therapy is now being recognized as a natural route to health and wellness. Here's some info I found interesting:

The field of horticultural therapy studies the effects plants have on people. This includes everything from enhancing mood by having a single plant in a room to a recent study by British researchers who found that good bacteria in soil may affect the brain in ways similar to antidepressants.

Dr. Richard Mattson, professor of horticultural therapy at Kansas State University, said scientific advances have allowed researchers to measure the body's response to stimuli and pinpoint what happens when people are exposed to plants.

"We're finding that there are changes that happen when we are in the presence of plants," he said. "The brain is working, the autonomic nervous system is involved. We're also finding that some of these changes are affecting our immune system."

One study found that within 40 minutes of gardening, there were changes in the chemicals in saliva that affect the immune system, Mattson said. Another study measured blood pressure and heart rate as people entered and then left a botanical garden. Both rates decreased, which was especially notable given they walked through the garden, an exercise that normally would have increased blood pressure and heart rate.
"I think the evidence is pretty strong that healthwise, there are changes affecting our perception of the environment, the way our minds looks at objects, affecting our sensory system - these are translated into things that make us healthier," Mattson said.

Free Online Help For Singers!

Do you have a question about singing? I've created a new website that will come to your rescue! Go to my new site: askbethlawrence.com, and I'll PERSONALLY answer any question you may have.

No computer generated information - you'll get a real-life answer from me, based on my SEVEN PRINCIPLES FOR AN INTEGRATED VOICE system.

So ask away at askbethlawrence.com

I'm here to help!

Music Therapy for Passionless Shark!

So here's a good one for you: Playing Barry White disco music in the hopes that it will sexually stimulate brown sharks. It could happen; anything's possible. Take note of the last sentence - this I want to know more about! Here's the article from the Gulf Times:

Music therapy for passionless shark
Published: Thursday, 24 May, 2007, 12:23 PM Doha Time

LONDON: Scientists desperate for reluctant sharks to mate and produce offspring at an aquarium in northwest England plan to pipe the romantic music of Mozart, Beethoven and Puccini into the tank.
‘Bloodnose’, a 20-year-old male brown shark, has spurned the advances of 15-year-old ‘Lucy’ since they were introduced a year ago at the Blackpool Sea Life Centre, aquarists said. Other sharks have also turned out to be cold fish.
“We want to play them the kind of soft and emotional music that inspires powerful emotions in humans,” display supervisor Carey Duckhouse said.
“We hope it’s going to put them in a passionate frame of mind and get them mating.” They will be serenaded with classical greats such as Mozart’s ‘Romanze,’ Puccini’s ‘Nessun Dorma’ and Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’ which will be played through speakers over the open-topped tank.

The aquarists turned to classical music after having failed to put the sharks in the mood to mate with the love-songs of the late soul singer Barry White.

His greatest hits include ‘Can’t Get Enough’ and ‘I’ve Got So Much to Give.’
Although the attempt appeared to be “a little bit nutty” and “a long shot,” Duckhouse cited a study at the Rowland Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that found fish could listen and process melodies like human beings.
“We will be looking for any noticeable change in behaviour to see if Bloodnose gets a little more amorous towards Lucy,” Duckhouse said.
“Hopefully they will mate and maybe this time next year we will be caring for six or seven little sharks,” she added.
Bloodnose may be slowing down with age as brown sharks usually live for around 25 years.
They are found in the tropical waters of the west Atlantic and Mediterranean, but are not considered man-eaters and are rarely involved in attacks on humans.

The news comes after researchers in the US and Northern Ireland announced on Wednesday that a female hammerhead shark gave birth without mating.

– AFP

Online Help For Singers!

Do you have a question about singing, but don't know who to ask? You're in luck - I'm offering a new FREE service for all my blog friends!

I want to help you feel confident about your voice, so I'll personally answer your individual question about singing. Just click here and ask Beth Lawrence!

Gloria Estefan Quote to Berklee Grads

Here's a great quote from Gloria Estefan to Berklee School of Music Grads. It has a lot of merit:

"Music is a healing force and we have the privilege of sharing it," she told the graduates. "Whether you end up doing it for a business or just end up singing for your kids, teaching other people to do music, or doing therapy, go forward with a lot of belief, because it's such an amazing way to live your life."

Determination

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination" - Tommy Lasorda

And I might add that a positive, expectant attitude; vivid visualization of your desired intention, and focus on your desired outcome, not on your obstacles, is also crucial to manifestation of your goal. Make the impossible, possible!

From Dale Carnegie

"The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore." -Dale Carnegie

Find my Lullabies on Ebay

My NAPPA gold award-winning lullabye CD "Land of Sleepytime...lullabies for the heart and soul" is now on Ebay!

Find the listing and get your copy today!

Fatigue and Vocal Ease

When you're physically tired your voice may feel tired too. All of our physical systems are interrelated, so it makes sense that low energy will produce a low energy voice.

If you use your voice for your profession i.e. you're a teacher, salesperson, work on the phone etc. - pay particular attention to how you feel physically.

When you're fatigued, make sure that you are breathing consciously and filling up with enough air to support your voice.

You'll also find that attention to your breath, and using low, slow and full breaths will not only powerfully support your voice, but will energize you in the process!

Want more voice tips? Sign up for my monthly Voicegram.

Make the Most of Today!

On this beautiful Spring day, this quote is perfect:

"There will never be another now - I'll make the most of today. There will never be another me - I'll make the most of myself."
- Rev. Robert Schuller

Music Helps Heal Stroke Victim

Here's yet another example of how music helps heal the body and mind. Read this article from NewsNet5:

Stroke Victim Helps Other Patients Heal Through Music
Man Says Music Was His Greatest Motivation In His Recovery

POSTED: 1:15 pm EDT April 12, 2007
UPDATED: 5:27 pm EDT April 12, 2007

CLEVELAND -- A man who spent weeks in the hospital fighting back from a stroke is now giving back to the place that helped him recover.

These days, Alan Scheussler walks into MetroHealth Medical Center, but he spent almost two months at Metro, barely able to move, reported NewsChannel5's Alicia Booth.

"I was in pretty bad shape. I couldn't talk, I couldn't see, I couldn't move. I thought I was gone, actually," said Scheussler.

Scheussler had a major stroke during bypass surgery in April 2004. It wasn't until a year and a half later that Scheussler's longtime passion would become his biggest motivator to get well.

"I couldn't give up on the guitar and I still can't. Music was my life before this happened to me," he said.

Scheussler's doctor, John Chae, said he noticed right away what the guitar did for his patient.

"When Alan had this motivation to play the guitar, he found new life," said Chae.

Scheussler is sharing his new life with other patients at Metro. Working as a therapist, he volunteers three times a week teaching other brain injury patients how to rehabilitate themselves through music.

Matt Dematte, 18, now plays better than he did before his car accident, and the tunes are a great break from his usual therapy.

"I know what patients want when they're down here because I know what I wanted when I was here," said Scheussler.

The music sure seems to heal and it keeps the patients even more interested in their rehabilitation.

"Now, as a scientist, I don't have the data to prove that it does, but as a clinician, you say, 'You know what, there's something here,'" said Chae.

You might wonder why someone who went through such a painful struggle would willingly come back to a hospital, but according to Scheussler, the answer is pretty simple.

"Volunteering here at MetroHealth is helping me as much as the patients here, I believe," he said. "I can see what music therapy can do for a patient, and it's amazing."

Scheussler was an electronic designer before his stroke. He said he will not be able to go back to his old career, so he's starting training for a new one as a medical laboratory technologist.

He is also continuing to volunteer at Metro.

Songwriting 101 in Santa Barbara

Beginning this Thursday I'll be teaching a four week Songwriting course in Santa Barbara, California. If you're in the area, or know a budding songwriter who is, come join us!

www.sbparksandrecreation.com • 805-564-5418
(Page 27 of the guide)

Here are some comments:

“Wonderful! Thanks for all your help and insight. I learned so much. I thoroughly enjoyed your knowledge and expertise, as well as input.” Traci

“This course encourages creativity and gives an impetus to start creating in individual ways. (Beth) really related to all students, finding positives, reinforcing etc. C.H.

Sing! It's Spring!

Spring is a time for new beginnings; to start something that you've put off; to do something that will bring you joy. Whether it's singing, dancing, golf, learning French - whatever you've wanted to do, but haven't made time for - DO IT NOW.

If you need a bit of inspiration, read my article "Spring Is The Time To Sing!".

Look around you and see that everything is stirring with new life, and you should be, too. Everyday is a new beginning. Start something new today.

The Wisdom of Goethe

What a great quote this is! It's always my theory that instilling confidence in my music students brings out the best in them, and empowers them to excel beyond even their own expectations.

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being." -Goethe

Saving Your Sanity 2

Do you take life too seriously? Have you forgotten that life should be a light-hearted journey? I think it's healthy to practice being childlike, and sometimes, downright silly!

If you need a little light in your life, try this:

As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk

Happy skipping!

Baby Sleep Formula

Moms and new Dads, do you long for a good nights sleep? Many new parents swear that soothing music helps calm their baby and very often helps them sleep.

“Beth has such a beautiful and soothing voice. With three energetic and growing boys, we really need a winding down time at the end of the day and this CD really does the trick.” - Renee Marrs

You can now download individual songs from my NAPPA GOLD AWARD winning lullaby CD, "Land Of Sleepytime" here:

Ths GreatIndie link for MP3 downloads is:
http://www.greatindie.com/ipnmusic/store/list.php?item_number=632368017224

Here's what some happy parents have to say!

"I recently had a son named Matthew and he has been listening to your Lullaby CD since I was pregnant with him :-) Well, now he LOVES it, and it relaxes him and he goes right to sleep! Your voice is beautiful and I just wanted you to know how much we both love and appreciate the CD." – Rebecca Olson