Music is good for the soulMusic is good for the soul, the spirit, our health.  This we know.  Even Plato said as much!  And here’s Leonard Bernstein’s take on music:  Music, of all the arts, stands in a special region, unlit by any star but its own, and utterly without meaning … except its own.” 

Recently I had occasion to revisit my relationship to music. A change in a decade long connection to a piano teacher led me to reflect on what music means to me, the ways it has enriched my life.  Also how it features in the lives of my children and grandchildren.

I feel lucky that I grew up in a musical family, that music nourished me from early on.  One of my fondest childhood memories is falling asleep to my dad’s piano playing.  Music is good for the soul.  It is high on any list of what’s important to me, of what adds pleasure and joy, connection, brightness to my life.  I have the opportunity of singing in a wonderful choir — sometimes I can’t sing straight, because tears well up when I feel   how beautiful the music is, and how glorious it is to sing together.  I take piano lessons, and heck, I’ve even taken ukulele lessons — love going to the Uke Circle and plunking along with a hundred other uke aficionados.

Music is good for the soul

My choir singing in China

We’ve had sing-alongs in our space, with family and friends, every Winter Solstice, and sometimes just for the delight of singing together.

Music is good for the soul.  And it’s not just me ringing on about this! You’ve probably heard of the many proven benefits of music, of playing an instrument, or singing, of having music in your life.  They are legion.  I wrote a blog about this sometime ago, Music of All the Arts.   There’s lots of great information there.  Do check it out.

Music is good for the soulSo how can we offer this gift to children?  How do we give them a shot at an early ago of having a rich connection to things musical?   Recently I’ve come across a website for moms, and one section focusses specifically on introducing children to music.  The site is called Mom Loves Best, and this section is all about finding the right tone (pun intended!) when introducing music into children’s lives, actually even during pregnancy.  It’s a great site.  I encourage you to visit it, and share with anyone expecting, with small kids, or grandkids.

As you know, my interest is in growing, learning together, developing our rich potential as human beings, the evolution of our consciousness   Music has a wonderful role to play in this miraculous adventure.  It’s never too late, or too early, to bring music into our lives!

Jill Schroder is the author of BECOMING: Journeying Toward Authenticity.  BECOMING is an invitation for self-reflection, and to mine our memorable moments for insights, meaning, and growth.  Check the website for a sample chapter, or see the reviews to get a flavor for the volume.  Follow me on Twitter, let’s be friends on Facebook :-)

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