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Music and the brain. How it can affect people with dementia and Alzheimer's.

Can confirm the positive effects of music on my mother who is in care with advanced dementia. She was an accomplished pianist, and despite being unable to recognise family members, smiles when hearing certain music.

23 psalm, fly me to the moon (Diana Krall live Paris version), Bill Evans how deep is ocean and similar, seem to trigger positivity in whatever remains of her cognitive function.
 
Can confirm the positive effects of music on my mother who is in care with advanced dementia. She was an accomplished pianist, and despite being unable to recognise family members, smiles when hearing certain music.

23 psalm, fly me to the moon (Diana Krall live Paris version), Bill Evans how deep is ocean and similar, seem to trigger positivity in whatever remains of her cognitive function.
Bill Evans is the man.
 
My wife is a music therapist and we both have professional backgrounds in mental health and behavioral medicine. The impact of music can be absolutely profound in patients. Interestingly enough, its effects are not limited to humans. Our parrots absolutely respond differently to different genres of music and have their favorites. It`s just amazing.
 
My wife is a music therapist and we both have professional backgrounds in mental health and behavioral medicine. The impact of music can be absolutely profound in patients. Interestingly enough, its effects are not limited to humans. Our parrots absolutely respond differently to different genres of music and have their favorites. It`s just amazing.
My wolfdog prefers jazz. Really.
 
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I think this song would be great if you called a suicide hotline and they put you on hold.
 
Learning languages helps slow senility and dementia, as well. Maybe learning to sing in another language, even better. I've tried, but don't have patience and purpose for learning different languages. I know that practicing guitar is good for me. I suck at learning songs, but I love jamming, improvisation, to backing tracks. Learning and playing an instrument is taxing and rejuvenating at the same time.
 
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Learning languages helps slow senility and dementia, as well. Maybe learning to sing in another language, even better. I've tried, but don't have patience and purpose for learning different languages. I know that practicing guitar is good for me. I suck at learning songs, but I love jamming, improvisation, to backing tracks. Learning and playing an instrument is taxing and rejuvenating at the same time.
Anything that keeps your brain active and inputting new material is good and will help. I've started doing crossword puzzles and this little block game on my Android phone.

On a different but related note, I was listening to a radio show on the way back from the range and the first thing the Towley bam did when they retook Astan was close the only music school in the country.
 
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I was pontificating on music the other day...

No one can really explain why we sing. It serves absolutely no purpose other than making us happy/emotional.

Mike
 
Check tha guitar, Martin D 45. I''ve had an HD 28 and a D 35 but that is the top of the line.
One of my guitars is a Yamaha C45M classical. Me likee. I have a cheapie Spectrum acoustic guitar that I would like to trash because I have to tune the 6 string up or down if I use a capo. For example, when I do "Leader of the Band" by Dan Fogelberg, I capo at the 2nd fret.

When I do "Friends in Low Places" by Garth Brooks, I take the capo off and have to adjust the 6th string again.

I know it's a piece of crap. I spent guitar money on rifles.

I like my Ibanez electric and my Fender Mustang GT100 (with foot switch board) amplifier. It is basically a modelling amplifier that will put out 100 watts rms, good for anywhere. Let's say I got to play rock star in my retirement. That amp is loud enough for any regular club. Anything bigger, like the event center at the Choctaw Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma (Choctaw Nation) and they either bi-amp or jack right into the PA with an AB switch like the Countryman. (For those not knowing, bi-amp is where a mic is placed in front of your amp and that mic is jacked into a PA system. Some prefer that so that they can stand near the amp and hear their own sound.)

And it can jack right into my computer for recording (I have Reaper DAW.) And actually I would use my digital - audio interface.

Some guitar guys think you need a Marshal Super Lead head and two 4x12 cabs, but that is no longer necessary.

One of my college mates back in the 80s had a Sunn 400 Watt brain that he hot-rodded and had would use two cabs. He played a gig with one of his bands at a club and people outside the club complained about the sound level. I think that Sunn head went to 11.
 
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(For those not knowing, bi-amp is where a mic is placed in front of your amp and that mic is jacked into a PA system. Some prefer that so that they can stand near the amp and hear their own sound.)
That’s how I set up PA for live venues. The guitar player has control of the sound he likes, then we just pump it through the sound system.

As far as music, it is therapeutic. In my home I have two acoustic pianos, 4 pianists, a clarinet player, a violinist (learning), and the youngest now wants to start learning piano. All this talent and beautiful music in my home, and all I do is break things and shoot stuff.

But the classics are lovely. I never tire of hearing all the practicing and playing going on seemingly nonstop.

I am very blessed!
 
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I was pontificating on music the other day...

No one can really explain why we sing. It serves absolutely no purpose other than making us happy/emotional.

Mike
You answered your own question. It makes us feel better. Some do it to praise God, which I reckon is pretty much the same.
 
Music is one of those special things in life . It can bring you joy and rip your heart out at the same time . I like great accoustic guitar playing and powerful lyrics the most but listen to it all . Hammond B3 organ is another favorite . Only musical talent I have is listening , fine by me .

 
Music is one of those special things in life . It can bring you joy and rip your heart out at the same time . I like great accoustic guitar playing and powerful lyrics the most but listen to it all . Hammond B3 organ is another favorite . Only musical talent I have is listening , fine by me .


Yep, I play a mean stereo but my musical talent stops there.

If you like the B3 This is one of the best. Theres a long solo right after the drum sol at 9:00. Sadly I never got to see them live.

 
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Thanks for starting this thread. My mother passed away 5 years ago after being confined to a wheelchair for the previous 4 years due to a stroke. The stroke also caused her to slur her speech a good bit. The last two years of her life, at Christmas time I would take her for a ride in the car to look at the lights and listen to Christmas music. One of her favorites was “Away in a manger” and when Ella Fitzgerald’s version came on, she began singing with her beautiful, unslurred voice that she had prior to the stroke. It’s still one of my most treasured memories of her.
 
One of my guitars is a Yamaha C45M classical.
Play & enjoy the strings as much as you can. Had a Martin 12 string & Gibson Gospel (6 string)I played for years upon years. Then along came old age & arthritis. Kills me not being able to play anymore. I played country only and loved playing lead with the 12 string. Keith Potger who played a 12 string (The Seekers) is who inspired me, to switch from a 6 to 12 string. The song in this video is what started me down that path. Everyone in our family played as well, mostly string, but a few wind also.

 
Yep, I play a mean stereo but my musical talent stops there.

If you like the B3 This is one of the best. Theres a long solo right after the drum sol at 9:00. Sadly I never got to see them live.


Thanks, that is great ! That is some trippy stuff right there . It has been many years since I have listened to the full version . It's now in the B3 playlist . This is a B3 album I enjoy maybe you will also .



 
Play & enjoy the strings as much as you can. Had a Martin 12 string & Gibson Gospel (6 string)I played for years upon years. Then along came old age & arthritis. Kills me not being able to play anymore. I played country only and loved playing lead with the 12 string. Keith Potger who played a 12 string (The Seekers) is who inspired me, to switch from a 6 to 12 string. The song in this video is what started me down that path. Everyone in our family played as well, mostly string, but a few wind also.


That brings tears to my eyes, not so much for the music, but for the America that was when you and I were growing up. The future was an open door, unlimited. I feel an immense sorrow for the Kids growing up today.
 
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That brings tears to my eyes, not so much for the music, but for the America that was when you and I were growing up. The future was an open door, unlimited. I feel an immense sorrow for the Kids growing up today.
When I was young & full of life, I wanted to learn all about everything. Then came LBJ and the war, I never have looked at life the same way ever again. I watch young people these days knowing they will never experience the things we were allowed to. Driving a tractor at 8 years old, running a 20 mile trap line by self for 2 1/2 days on a mini bike carrying a H&R 22 at 10 years old. The parents never worried about you because they knew you could take care of yourself, or a neighbor was watching out for you. Being able to buy 80% sticks & caps at 12yo. The pride of knowing your days work was productive at 14yo, & wondering what nicety/enjoyment tomorrow was bringing. Enjoying a 1966 S/S 396 on Friday/Sat/ nights cruising town until 0300. Shaking a mans hand knowing it was a done deal w/o paper work or lawyers. That America my friend, is dead, and never coming back.
 
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Play & enjoy the strings as much as you can. Had a Martin 12 string & Gibson Gospel (6 string)I played for years upon years. Then along came old age & arthritis. Kills me not being able to play anymore. I played country only and loved playing lead with the 12 string. Keith Potger who played a 12 string (The Seekers) is who inspired me, to switch from a 6 to 12 string. The song in this video is what started me down that path. Everyone in our family played as well, mostly string, but a few wind also.


Thanks. I get this weird pain in my left wrist in line with the thumb but it doesn't hurt when I play guitar.

More oddness. I am left-handed but play guitar right-handed. In 1974, all I had was an old folk guitar my mother gave to me (my father had given to her. He majored in music at the University of South Dakota.) A new set of strings and Mel Bay's Book of Chords. And my step-grandfather, who sang basso and basso-baritone, taught me how to read music.

So, I taught myself to play.

I was always sang the songs I was playing. In 1987, I decided to get serious and found I had a high range (one guy who's book of exercises I studied mention I was a light tenor.) In fact, I have been compared to Glenn Hughes. He got famous with a band called Trapeze. Then he was accidentally the singer for Black Sabbath for one album (long story for another time.) Then, he was playing bass and co-singing with David Coverdale in Deep Purple.

So, then, I realized I was a singer who played guitar. There were many guitarist around me who could play rings around me. But I could hit the Ab5 in "Dream On" by Aerosmith, cleanly. And a number of singer friends on a forum thought I did a good job with "Child in Time" by Deep Purple.

Anyway, music is a comfort to me. Whether I am performing it or just listening to it. I never made money from it though I have played in front of people at various gatherings.
 
Thanks. I get this weird pain in my left wrist in line with the thumb but it doesn't hurt when I play guitar.

More oddness. I am left-handed but play guitar right-handed. In 1974, all I had was an old folk guitar my mother gave to me (my father had given to her. He majored in music at the University of South Dakota.) A new set of strings and Mel Bay's Book of Chords. And my step-grandfather, who sang basso and basso-baritone, taught me how to read music.

So, I taught myself to play.

I was always sang the songs I was playing. In 1987, I decided to get serious and found I had a high range (one guy who's book of exercises I studied mention I was a light tenor.) In fact, I have been compared to Glenn Hughes. He got famous with a band called Trapeze. Then he was accidentally the singer for Black Sabbath for one album (long story for another time.) Then, he was playing bass and co-singing with David Coverdale in Deep Purple.

So, then, I realized I was a singer who played guitar. There were many guitarist around me who could play rings around me. But I could hit the Ab5 in "Dream On" by Aerosmith, cleanly. And a number of singer friends on a forum thought I did a good job with "Child in Time" by Deep Purple.

Anyway, music is a comfort to me. Whether I am performing it or just listening to it. I never made money from it though I have played in front of people at various gatherings.
Our family was huge and when we had reunions in Francesville Indiana, the whole town would turn out on Saturday afternoon to listen to all the different groups of us playing back in the 50's & 60's. Same when we had them in Winamac as well. Once the bulk of us kids were back from the service they were held at the state park north of Winamac. At one of them the park rangers went to my Grandfather & ask if we had invited "all these people". Grandpa stopped us all from playing and when we stopped & looked around we were amassed at the crowd size. At that reunion (1969) we all played right up until they closed the park, one of the best days of my life, extremely tired, but a good tired.
Shame America is not still that way theses days. Music has always been a big part of my life, as well as our whole family.
 
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At one of them the park rangers went to my Grandfather & ask if we had invited "all these people". Grandpa stopped us all from playing and when we stopped & looked around we were amassed at the crowd size. At that reunion (1969) we all played right up until they closed the park, one of the best days of my life, extremely tired, but a good tired.
Shame America is not still that way theses days. Music has always been a big part of my life, as well as our whole family.
I would have answered, "Yes, we invited everyone but you."