Phil Your Life With Music

Summer is here! But, this summer, as we know, is unlike any other before. Due to the current circumstances, despite businesses starting to open back up, we are forced to find more activities without leaving our homes. We have survived months of keeping ourselves busy, but our current reality revolves around being Covid compliant and social distancing; which includes finding activities to keep us busy at home, whether with your family or by yourself.

We are lucky now that the weather is warmer, so we are able to spend more time outside having cookouts, going on walks, or doing yard work. Although these activities are fun (maybe?) by themselves, adding music or musical elements always brings a greater joy and satisfaction to the day and your life overall (At least I think, anyway).

Music is all around us and a huge part of our lives already, whether we realize it or not. I have compiled a list of musical things and activities you can do, be apart of, or be more aware of; at home, on the go, or outside, these activities will help you have a little fun, become more conscious of your surroundings, and maybe learn a thing, or two, along the way!

1.)    Listen to the music that’s around you. As cheesy as it sounds, there is music everywhere. I’m not talking about that song in the background while you do your housework or the pop song that plays in the grocery store while you’re feeling tomatoes. I’m talking about the sounds of nature: birds chirping, the breeze in the trees, waves crashing along the sand, bees buzzing around you, rain on a rooftop, thunder crashing. These are not your typical “songs” we listen to or think about when we think music, but they are a compilation of sounds, rhythms, and feature their own tempos and dynamics. So, wouldn’t that, by default, make these sounds, a song? One composer by the name of John Cage backed this way of thinking, and frankly, I think it makes for a more interesting, more fulfilling, and a more positive life. Hearing and viewing everything as music brings a certain beauty and happiness to everyday. John Cage regarded not only sounds of nature, but other sonic randomness as music, which may seem unorthodox, but it encouraged his audience to imagine sound phenomena beyond that of a typical composer, using elements sound as pots and pans clanging together, car horns, or even dripping water into something grander than it is. It can be bizarre, but I think the idea is for the audience to create their own mental imagery with the sounds. It truly is something special.
This way of thinking has inspired me to create music out of everyday items. My favorite is using a car’s turn signal. Listen to the constant steady beat it provides. Huh, almost like a metronome…? Music is around you! Listen and get creating!

Link: John Cage's Water Walk

2.)    Sing! Sing in the car, in the shower (the best place to sing to, to be honest), or around the house. This is the most obvious musical thing someone can do. It is an instant mood boost and can make any activity more fun. Think of your favorite song and rock on, Rockstar! The world is your stage!!!!! (This is for singers and non- alike. Do not be afraid, Simon Cowell is not around to judge you!)

3.)    Pick up THAT instrument: Yes, I’m calling you out. You know that instrument that has been sitting over in the corner collecting dust? Or the one you shoved under your bed? Well, pull that bad boy out and get crackin’! There are thousands of how-to videos online to help you learn and get tips from experienced musicians who are polite enough to help a beginner, or someone looking for a little extra guidance for their next musical steps. Not to mention, there are millions upon millions of free sheet music downloads for almost every instrument to help the bored musicians out there! You will thank me one day, I promise (and then you can owe me 😊)

4.)    Buy a new instrument: This one is for those who have yet to learn an instrument or the musicians looking to expand their repertoire. No time like the present to buy that instrument you’ve always been dreaming and thinking about. Half the battle is getting the instrument in hand and when you do, as mentioned above, there are thousands of videos online to help you learn your new instrument and your favorite songs. I hope this is the push you need!

5.)    Learn theory/sight-singing/ear-training: Do you need to learn these skills to learn an instrument? No, not necessarily. Take it from me. I learned to play the clarinet at 10, but did not understand or know what music theory was or is until I was 18, and even then it took me another two years to completely understand the mechanics of it, and LET ME TELL YOU, the world makes a lot more sense when you have that music theory foundation. This step is not as scary as it seems. Whether you are an absolute beginner or looking for a refresher, it can never hurt you. Again, there are so many videos and apps that can help. A piece of advice, most of my apps related toward these topics, were directed for kids. Sometimes you need something spelled out for you a little and the “games” help make the learning process less painful. They simplify lessons. A list of my favorite apps can be found here:

      Link: Music Theory Apps for Kids

If you’re looking for someone to explain things to you, Michael New absolutely saved my life and music career. Without some of his videos I probably would have quit music school. They are lifesaving and life-changing videos!

      Link: Michael New's YouTube Channel

6.)    Learn Solfege symbols: You know, the Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do? Yes, they have a funky, cool name: solfege symbols, and yes, they do serve a musical purpose. Believe it or not, Maria von Trapp was not just singing gibberish to take the kids around town in their play clothes. Nay nay, these symbols serve a purpose: they are a note value, a certain pitch. They aid in sight-singing and they also, come with symbols. Enjoy the guides and videos below:

Link: Solfege PDF

Link: How To: Solfege Hand Signs

Enjoy this Sound of Music clip, just because: 

Link: Do-Re-Mi // Sound of Music

When you know the notes to sing, you can sing most anything!

7.)    Dance Party! Here’s an easy one for when you’re done with your heavy music learning. Have a dance party. Dance your little heart out to all your favorite music. Why? Because it is fun and you’ll burn some calories. You are welcome. Get to it, Dancing Queen!

8.)    Discover New Music: one of my favorites things to do is to take time to discover new music. You know that list of musicians you have or that one song by that one artist you like? Here is the perfect opportunity to look into a new genre or look up more songs by that artist you like. Maybe this is a good rainy-day project, but nonetheless whenever you decide to do it, you will always discover something you like. Pro-tip: ask as many people as you wish to give you a list of 3-5 songs they LOVE. Not only will this help you discover new music, it also tells you a little more about the people you asked. Music SPEAKS.

9.)    Identify Parts of Song: Okay this one is a STRETCH and probably will be another rainy day project. OR if you’re like me and enjoy doing weird music things, and coloring, boy do I have something for you. I learned this activity in one of my classes. It is supposed to teach ear-training and instrument identification. Have a notebook, color pencils, and a sheet of plain white paper handy, and let’s do some song identification!!!!

Here are the steps:

1.)    Pick a song. Any song you like, and listen to it once all the way through.

2.)    Think about the song. What did you hear? What was the feeling of the song? (Was it happy, sad?) What instruments did you hear? How many singers did it have? When was the music loud, when was it soft?  Pay attention to anything you think is significant to the song.

3.)    Match these attributes to colors. Use different colors to express different emotions, instruments, or elements of this song. This could mean using yellow to symbol happy or blue for sad. Or yellow for guitar and blue for trumpet. You decide!

4.)    Draw varying lines to symbolize volumes or dynamics, tempos, or different rhythmic patterns in a song.

                        However you want to do it is up to you! Honestly, this activity helped me a lot to pay attention to different elements and details of a song. So, I did learn something, but I also got to color (which is a stress-reliever). Find your zen, my friend!

                For reference:
                

           

10.) Live-stream your favorite band or orchestra: Because most live performances are being cancelled, many musicians and artists are putting out online content for their fans to enjoy! The Michigan Phil, being the progressive orchestra they are, jumped on the band wagon to offer enjoyable content for all to listen to at home. Some places are starting to offer live music, but it will be a while before normal concerts are held as they once were. So, therefore, The Michigan Phil presents “Phil the Air With Music,” a concert series happening every Friday at various locations. See flyer for more details.

I hope you have enjoyed this list of musical activities to get you going at home. I hope this list has inspired you in some way. Feel free to share will us and Phil Your Life With Music!

References: 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Cage