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I always get interested when I see the words “research has shown” attached to any article, or comment published. As a former marketing “bod”, I have used research to strengthen or mollify a particular preposition, or defined idea. Most people never ask “What is, or was the research?” They are usually content with your affirming stand and simply accept the fact that you probably would not tell them something that isn’t true. In my case, I never knowingly did lie. This is due, in large measure, to the fact that I am naturally cautious when I see a research statement used and will always put an increasing amount of effort into understanding the what, where, who and why of any research study into any subject I am interested in, or have a need to know about.

Anyone who is following the comments I am writing and posting here, will however, not be surprised to know that I have studied the following piece of research stated and offer it here for your reading pleasure. Ok, well maybe not pleasure, I can’t believe you are as sad as I dear reader, but if you do get something from this set of notes, please rest assured I am happy with the scientific basis of the points raised.

So……

Research has shown that music has a profound effect on your body and psyche. In fact, there’s a growing field of health care known as Music Therapy, which uses music to heal. Notice I am talking about music here and not specifically singing.

Those who practice music therapy are finding a benefit in using music to help cancer patients, children with ADHD, and others, and even hospitals are beginning to use music and music therapy to help with pain management, to help ward off depression, to promote movement, to calm patients, to ease muscle tension, and for many other benefits that music and music therapy can bring. We should find this all pretty unsurprising, as music affects the body and mind in many powerful ways. Those of you who are old enough can, perhaps, think back to the late 60′s and bands like King Crimson. I can vouch for the relaxing benefits of lying down in a dark room listening to the whole of the Court of The Crimson King album. Awesome, in fact still is. No weed needed, just a clear head and no distraction.

Getting back to this research then; The following are some of effects of music, which help to explain the effectiveness of music therapy my happy band of researchers tell us. Read the rest of this entry »

“The only thing better than singing is more singing,” said Ella Fitzgerald. Perhaps such a statement is to be expected from a world-famous artist with an era-defining voice, but she wasn’t the only one to wax lyrical on the benefits of a good vocal performance. “He who sings frightens away his ills,” said Cervantes. Even Mr Cornflakes himself John Harvey Kellogg – -had this to add in 1931: “Singing promotes health, breathing, circulation and digestion.”

Singing might be fun, might be joyful and uplifting, might inspire poetry and paeans. But could it actually be good for you? Oh yes. It seems that Kellogg was dead right

Last year, the government announced £40m of funding in the National Singing Programme to get every primary-school pupil singing regularly. And there are, apparently, now more choirs in this country than there are fish and chips shops.

This year, for instance, Heart Research UK will run a Sing for Your Heart week to raise money and also to highlight the health benefits of singing. This event or series of events take place from December 8 to 15. Good choice of week, as the carol singing quotas will be in full flood (watch this website to find out more).

Of course, there is also an increasing interest in the physical, psychological and emotional benefits of singing. Just this last September the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health at Canterbury Christ Church University hosted a conference to explore the role of music and singing in health, social care and community development. I will post a report on their conclusions when I have read it. Read the rest of this entry »