Music to Calm, Relax and Soothe

We began this week by diving into music making. Group members were invited to select an instrument they would like to play following a brief demonstration about each musical item. Each person layered in their musical contribution until we were all playing in unison. After we finished playing, group members shared that the music evoked a feeling of relaxation. We discussed how music can be used to relax and soothe, and how music can pull us into the present moment. The group decided to engage in another improvisation, this time with the intention of crafting a peaceful, content, calm, and relaxing soundscape. In contrast to the first musical experience, we had decided as a group to create an improvisation that sounded a specific way. We played music for longer this time, following the chosen direction of creating a peaceful soundscape. Some group members closed their eyes while playing, others appeared fully absorbed in their instrumental playing. Group members shared that they felt we had achieved the sentiment of peace and calm. Following the improvisations, the group shifted into active music making by forming a bell choir. Each group member selected one bell, with each bell representing one note in the major scale. They were presented with colour coded cards for each chord, and played when cued with their specific note. Together, we played each chord one by one, remarking on how different they sounded. Once we had practiced the bell choir a few times, we moved into creating a version of the song Lean on Me, by Bill Withers, using the bells. First we listened to the song while following along with lyric sheets. We discussed how the song lyrics resonated with us and how we found them meaningful. We then grabbed our bells and together played and sang the first verse of Lean on Me. As we were coming to an end, the group was asked if they would like to craft something calm or energetic, group members asked for both. We decided to improvise one final time, starting in a place of calm and growing into the sound of energy and joy.