A different side of sunshine

On a recent visit with my husband's family, my sister-in-law played for me a Johnny Cash version of "You Are My Sunshine."  Upon listening, it became clear that it was recorded late in his career, around the same time he put his dark, wise, and soulful spin on Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt."  While I'd heard and played "You Are My Sunshine" countless times for babies, children, and seniors, something about that version made me hear the song in a different way, made me appreciate the lyrics and the sentiment in the song in a way I hadn't before. 

Have a listen:

Hearing Cash's version of the song opened my eyes (or ears, I suppose) to the fact that so much of what touches us musically comes from the performer's delivery.  Sometimes, it's the natural beauty of a singer's voice - I find that I'm moved by pretty much anything sung by Josh Groban, although I wouldn't consider myself a fan, per se...just an appreciative observer.

Sometimes, it's the unique quality in a singer's voice that touches us.  I think this is part of Johnny Cash's appeal.  Listening to his recordings, especially those later in his career, I feel like I'm listening to a troubled cowboy Grandpa, and this makes me feel comfortable and intrigued all at once. 

Sometimes, it's a person's passion coming alive through an instrument.  Whenever I listen to Yo-Yo Ma I hear this.  I feel like every emotion he's ever felt is being transmitted through his cello and out to the world, and my ears, to hear.  I feel connected with him, although I've never met him.  I feel comforted and supported in my own emotions as I realize I'm not alone in what I'm feeling.  I feel connected to the world around me as I know others are listening to the same music and feeling the same emotions.  Of course, much of this comes from the beautifully composed music, but what is beautifully composed music without a musician to interpret it perfectly.

This brings me back to "You Are My Sunshine."  Clearly, this is a well composed song that has stood the test of time.  I always say to people that it's one of the only songs that spans the generations.  From toddlers to seniors, almost everyone knows the words...at least to the chorus.  And I think part of the reason for its staying power is its simultaneous simplicity and complexity.  The song has simple words and a basic, pleasing melody.  It comes across initially as a happy song - about sunshine, happiness, and love set in a major key.  But under the happy facade is a deep sadness about missing a loved one and the breathtaking sorrow that we feel when we miss someone.

I found another version of the song on You Tube.  The performer, Milindra Kulugammana, altered the chorus - typically the happiest part of the song - to include mostly minor chords.  His sweet, raspy voice and slow, tender delivery make the words of the song even more meaningful.

Here it is:

Mesmerizing.  Sad.  Thoughtful.  While this version may not appeal to everyone (as Kulugammana states in his intro, appologizing to the "traditionalists"), I appreciate how it made me listen to each word of the song from a different point of view.  Sometimes life isn't all roses and butterflies, and this is important for ME to remember as a Music Therapist.  Even happy sounding songs may carry heavy or even dark memories for some individuals, and I can never assume that everyone is hearing the same thing as me.

While life may not be all roses and butterflies, it isn't all storm clouds and tears either.  So I offer you a final version of "You Are My Sunshine."  This time, an example of the absurdity we sometimes need in life.  Enjoy.

I'm dizzy...and need to get this song out of my head now.


www.cristinbostrom.com

Treasure Your Personal Soundtrack

I had a moment the other day - a moment that swept me away from my current reality and back 10 years to young adult life.  A wave of emotions crashed over me as I felt like I was right back in my old car, worrying about some silly guy, excited about the promise of the future.  All of this was brought on by a song.

You see, I had recently acquired a smart phone on which I promptly uploaded many of my old CDs that had been sitting on a shelf collecting dust.  My CD collection dates back to the first CD I ever bought (Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker...in case you were wondering) and includes CDs from my mid-adolescence, early University years, young adulthood, courtship with my husband, and current favourites.  It contains, in essence, the soundtrack of my life. 

This remarkable moment came as I was driving in my car (not the best time or place for a remarkable moment to happen, but fortunately, no one was hurt) and was listening to my old songs on my new device.  When one of my favourite songs began playing and I instinctively sang along, I was immediately transported to another time and place.  I remembered every word, every guitar riff, every little detail about a song I had not heard in 10 years.  I found myself FEELING different...as if I was re-experiencing the emotions I felt when that song was important in my life.  Truly remarkable.

I'm not sure why I was so surprised by the moment.  As a music therapist, I try to provide this for my elderly clients every day!  I am constantly telling people about how music can help individuals reconnect with themselves, with their past, with others, and with life moments.  But I guess when it happens to you, it's just different...and unexpected.

So why am I sharing this? 

It became so clear to me that we need to treasure our personal soundtracks.  As smart phones and laptops and MP3 players are quickly replacing CDs, we run the risk of losing the ability to access the music of our lives when we need it most.  A downloaded album will easily be thrown away as outdated devices get replaced by newer, shinier models.  Sure, they may be transfered to the new devices, but eventually they'll be lost.  And lost will be an unexpected moment when a song you needed to hear begins to play.

I needed to hear that song.  It reminded me of who I AM.  It reminded me of who I wanted to be back then - of the dreams I had, of the wonder I had for life.  It reminded me that I still AM that person, just with a few more life lessons, a little less time, and a couple of kids pulling my attention in every direction.  It's easy to forget one's self when life just keeps coming.  My personal soundtrack helped me remember myself in such a gentle, beautiful way.

So treasure your soundtracks.  Save your CDs.  Pull them out and dust them off every once in a while.  Share them with your spouse, your kids, your friends.  They'll learn a lot about you...and you'll remember alot about yourself.

www.cristinbostrom.com

Musical Teambuilding Workshops

One of my favourite things to do in my music therapy practice is to lead musical teambuilding workshops.  This is where I am hired to provide time and space for groups to have fun creating music together while simultaneously strengthening working relationships and highlighting the importance of each individual's unique contribution to the group.  I love being the "fun" part of their day.  I love the looks of excitement (and nervousness) as I unpack my various percussion instruments.  I love having people try - and be successful at - new things.  I love seeing the groups really work together throughout the session.  I love spreading the message of truly and fully LISTENING to each other to have more successful relationships.

Musical teambuilding works because, I believe, music is an excellent metaphor for group dynamics.  Think of any song you like listening to.  Unless the song was written, recorded, performed, and produced by one individual, there was probably a great deal of teamwork involved in creating the final product.  The interesting thing about music is that we get to HEAR the final product and the individual contributions coming together to create the sound that we enjoy. We get to feel the rhythm, be moved by the harmony, attach ourselves to the melody, and ride along as the song journeys from beginning to end.  The music we enjoy is created by teams of indviduals with specific backgrounds and talents who come together with a common understanding of tempo, volume, pitch, and progression.

If any group is going to function successfully, there needs to be successful collaboration between individuals with unique backgrounds and talents, all of whom have a common understanding of the task at hand.  Through musical teambuilding, group members get to physically experience the elements of sucessful group dynamics because the music either sounds good or it doesn't.  They receive immediate feedback and can therefore work together (without speaking) to fix any problems and create an appealing sound.  And they get to ENJOY the sound of playing together when it does work.

I'd like to offer a quick list of needs that groups have in order to function successfully, and how music is a metaphor for these needs:

1) To be on the same page:  Music requires each group member to work together toward a common goal - starting in unison, stopping in unison, playing at the same tempo, and following a progression in the music.

2) To listen to each other's ideas:  When playing music together, the only way to achieve an appealing sound is to listen to what each other is playing, and to adjust our playing accordingly.

3) To find individual roles where we each use our talents:  Some people like being leaders and will choose the loudest and biggest drum.  Others like to offer decorative accents and will choose smaller more unique sounding instruments.  Some group members will create group cohesion with eye contact while others will be happy to follow along and be a valuable member of the ensemble.

4) To understand where each other is coming from:  In verbal sharing throughout the session, group members often reveal pieces of information about themselves that offer insight into their behaviour and thought process.  Because of the creative nature of the sessions, people are often willing to share more about themselves as they are using a different part of the brain than they normally use at work or in their role within the organization/group. 

5) To trust and respect each other:  The way people play music often reveals a great deal about their core personality, or about hidden parts of their personality. Someone who is normally shy and quiet may come alive when playing instruments. Conversely, someone who is seen as a strong leader may reveal some insecurities in the music session. These windows into a person's true self break down barriers and build trust, thereby strengthening relationships.

6) To know how to work together to overcome challenges:  When the music starts getting off track, group members can hear the dissonance and can feel the lack of cohesion.  Without a leader to direct the playing, each member must listen and adjust his or her playing to regain a pleasing sound.

I know from leading these sessions that music is not for everyone, but everyone in a group can benefit from musical teambuilding.  Afterall, who doesn't enjoy banging on a drum or stomping their feet?  Like it or not, our inate responsiveness to music has, and always will, bring us together.

www.cristinbostrom.com