Music and mood
Music and mood
For some time now, I have used music as a tool with my clients to connect to the present and alter their mood. I had read about the therapeutic benefits a long time ago - there is brain science behind why it works, but in my opinion, music is an extremely effective and underrated tool.
Fundamentally I have always known this. Music has always been a huge part of my life - even as a small child I don’t consciously remember appreciating music, but if I hear any number of songs from my childhood, I’m taken right back there. John Lennon’s “woman”, Lido shuffle, crazy little thing called love, anything by the Little River Band. Around 9 years of age I remember taking my first interest in music - Dire Straights, Bon Jovi and Icehouse were my first “tapes” that I’d play in my double-deck pink cassette player.
The songs reminded me of different stages in my life - this is called episodic memory. As a teenager I found Pink Floyd, Metallica, Faith No More, Iron maiden, Rage Against the Machine and each tune reflected a different part of my life, a new experience. Even experiences that were difficult but are forever marked by a song are precious and part of my story. Dire Straights, Brothers in Arms, was played at my father’s best friends funeral and I am transported straight back there when I hear it, but I am lost in the melody, floating within that experience and I would not choose it any other way.
Live music takes it up a level - where you can listen to music anywhere, being at a live concert is more like being in the music. You can feel the beat in your chest, you can see the music being created on the stage. Some of my best music memories have been concerts like Roger Waters, Metallica, Slash, Iron Maiden, Faith No More, Soundgarden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Little River Band, Shihad, The Cult, Aerosmith, Jethro Tull and the list goes on (total bogan!). Every January at Gibbston Valley I am treated to an array of “old” music that brings back so many good feelings, its no wonder it’s one of my favourite days of the year. Whatever music works for you, there is no right or wrong answer.
When I recommend music as a therapeutic remedy with clients, I always point out the obvious - music is such an accessible and common element in our lives, how can something right in front of our faces help us? The truth is that anything that encourages us to connect with any of our five senses will encourage our minds to be in the moment. Allowing music to evoke whatever emotion it releases within us will allow us to “feel” an emotion fully, and without barriers.
To manipulate our own emotive state, what I suggest to clients is that they create a playlist of around 8 tracks. Through the process of “entrainment”, if we are able to begin the playlist with songs that align to how we feel in that moment, and end with songs that embody how we want to feel, we can train our emotions that way. So for example if you feel grief, it’s ok to start with songs that evoke a sense of loss - songs like “without you” by Harry Nilsson, “wake me up when September ends” by Green Day (or whatever works in your taste). Try gradually ending in songs about acceptance, such as “beautiful day” by U2 or “run to paradise” by the choirboys.
Everybody’s taste is different and one song might have a different meaning to you than to me. When I demonstrate to groups the power of music, I ask that they listen to each song as though they’ve never listened to them before - really listen to the rhythm, the different instruments and the lyrics. My go-to songs for a “happy” mood are “let your love flow” by the Bellamy Brothers, and “aeroplane” by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. My “sad” songs are “comfortably numb” by Pink Floyd and “Brothers in arms” by Dire Straights.
Even though music is often right in front of our faces, it’s far more powerful than we give it credit for. With digital music apps like Spotify, we can play pretty much anything in an instant - and Spotify already understand the power of music as is evident in their pre-made “mood” playlists. Listen again with this new perspective and see what it can do for you.