Song Therapy

Song Therapy

The therapeutic power of music is well-attested (see Oliver Sacks’ Musicophilia). But we don’t hear much about song specifically—that is, singing. With no scientific basis whatsoever, I am going to assert that singing is therapeutic (and I will brook no dissent). Oddly enough, I think this is particularly true for the vocally challenged. I won’t go into my philosophical and psychological reasons for asserting this—they are at least as good as Freud’s—but will skip immediately to practicalities. Here’s what you do: you pick a song you are particularly fond of, which you would like to be able to sing—as it might be (I speak autobiographically) This Boy by the Beatles. Try not to pick an easy song, but go for one with a challenging section (usually high-pitched). Now learn the lyrics till you have them down without thinking. You can do this just by memorizing them cold or by listening to a recording of the song and singing along till you have absorbed the lyrics. Now begin to concentrate on the melody and rhythm, a bit at a time, going over them repeatedly. Do this by listening to the song and singing along to it. Repeat this for about a week every day, possibly a few times a day. You may have to repeat a particular passage many times, and it may sound horrible, but keep at it. If you choose, say, Over the Rainbow, be prepared to repeat the first word many times—”Somewhere!” There is a big pitch jump in there and you need to work on it. Now just keep on singing the song over and over again (a hundred times will do) till you can do it without thinking. Keep trying to improve technically. Now here is the vital point therapeutically: do everything in your power to inject emotion into your voice. Ideally, you should feel teary at some point; songs are designed to do that. Really lay it on thick. Don’t be afraid to be syrupy if the song calls for it (you might want to tackle Love Me Tender). If you feel brave, sing it in front of someone you trust. If you are very committed, try to learn Mother by John Lennon—it’s extremely emotional and difficult to sing. When you have learned your chosen song, you can move on to another song; repeat the procedure with this song. Don’t settle for a mediocre half-hearted performance. Do this for a few months and keep note of the therapeutic benefits. I will be interested to learn about your progress, vocally and emotionally.