There is something about singing, particularly in community, that touches a nerve. When I get emotional at these times it is usually when I am also at a vulnerable place in my life, and I think that’s no coincidence.
Great post Louise. while I don’t sing, back in high school, I played saxophone. I haven’t played in a long time but I’ve gotten back to playing it and it has helped me so much in terms of focusing on something else when things are not well. If there is a song I like to sing, it has to be Walking in Memphis, one of my favourite lines in the song is “Boy you got a prayer in Memphis”. It felt like the singer was saying that there is hope if you pray. Made me feel like Memphis is some spiritual place. Hopefully I get to go there one day.
Hmm, I wonder if playing a wind instrument activates similar nerve endings as singing does. I play violin, so it is not breath-based. Someone should do a study on that!
I love this, Louise! I used to be part of a church and I always loved communal singing. Now I stimulate my vagus nerve by singing and playing the ukulele.
I've been singing since junior high and it's such an important part of my life. I've sung in school groups. In the All-State Choir. In my church choir. At one point, I was even an on-call funeral singer. But the most emotional experience I had with communal singing was after the 2016 election, when women gathered at my local indie bookstore to be led in protest songs. Many of us that night eventually formed a social justice choir, which went strong until COVID hit. But that night in particular, I remember gathering shoulder to shoulder with this group of strangers in my favorite bookstore's kid lit room and being overcome with emotion as we all joined our voices together.
Nice post, Louise. Sometimes when I played guitar and sang I felt those tears. Now I don't feel it singing but when I hear a really good piece of music. It doesn't have to be sad, just affecting. That brings tears to my eyes.
I have had that experience on occasion. One time I was driving through the desert listening to a Beethoven symphony instead of an audiobook for once, and I became overwhelmed with emotion. I don’t listen to classical music a lot, because you really need uninterrupted time to really focus on it, but a long drive can sometimes be just the place.
Great post Louise. while I don’t sing, back in high school, I played saxophone. I haven’t played in a long time but I’ve gotten back to playing it and it has helped me so much in terms of focusing on something else when things are not well. If there is a song I like to sing, it has to be Walking in Memphis, one of my favourite lines in the song is “Boy you got a prayer in Memphis”. It felt like the singer was saying that there is hope if you pray. Made me feel like Memphis is some spiritual place. Hopefully I get to go there one day.
Hmm, I wonder if playing a wind instrument activates similar nerve endings as singing does. I play violin, so it is not breath-based. Someone should do a study on that!
wow Louise this is a wonderful post! I can hear your voice, sing on sister!
I love this, Louise! I used to be part of a church and I always loved communal singing. Now I stimulate my vagus nerve by singing and playing the ukulele.
Nice! And I have heard you sing and play at HippoCamp! That takes some courage to get up in front of that many people.
I've been singing since junior high and it's such an important part of my life. I've sung in school groups. In the All-State Choir. In my church choir. At one point, I was even an on-call funeral singer. But the most emotional experience I had with communal singing was after the 2016 election, when women gathered at my local indie bookstore to be led in protest songs. Many of us that night eventually formed a social justice choir, which went strong until COVID hit. But that night in particular, I remember gathering shoulder to shoulder with this group of strangers in my favorite bookstore's kid lit room and being overcome with emotion as we all joined our voices together.
I remember hearing about that choir from you. It sounds amazing.
Nice post, Louise. Sometimes when I played guitar and sang I felt those tears. Now I don't feel it singing but when I hear a really good piece of music. It doesn't have to be sad, just affecting. That brings tears to my eyes.
I have had that experience on occasion. One time I was driving through the desert listening to a Beethoven symphony instead of an audiobook for once, and I became overwhelmed with emotion. I don’t listen to classical music a lot, because you really need uninterrupted time to really focus on it, but a long drive can sometimes be just the place.
Aww, thanks so much for letting me know! Yeah, Dad is a trooper and seems to be doing pretty well so far.