How Muscle Memory is Used in Music

I first remember being introduced to the concept of muscle memory by the famous oboist, Alex Klein. Mr. Klein was the Oboe Marathon master class technician and had served as the principal oboist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

His journey as it relates to this post began when he was diagnosed with focal dystonia. Focal dystonia is a neurological disease that affects transmissions from your brain to your muscles. Mr. Klein resigned from the symphony, spent a few years relearning to play the oboe despite his disease, and then amazingly re-won the principal oboe position.

Accomplishing this feat has made him a truly unique oboe legend. While Mr. Klein battled a neurological disorder where he tricked his brain into thinking he was doing something new, his teachings awakened the interest of muscle memory into many oboists.

Alex Klein, playing with the CSO in 2002 after being diagnosed with focal dystonia in 2001.

Source: https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/february-2017/oboe-alex-klein/

What is Muscle Memory?

Muscle memory is the ability to move a part of your body without thinking about it, learned by repeating the movement many times.

Dr. Johnstone, a Doctor of Philosophy student, steers away from a misnomer, clarifying that muscle memory occurs in the brain, with the effects being on our physical movements. She further defines muscle memory in her article as: “the ability to move a part of your body without thinking about it, learned by repeating the movement many times.” Everyday examples of muscle memory include the ability to ride a bike or sing a musical tune.

Muscle Memory & Music

Some things we do in music come naturally and might even be described as easy. Yes, easy. Not all things are difficult thanks to muscle memory. Whether it is being able to find middle C on a piano or play a bar of arpeggios in a solo piece, eventually good practice pays off!

Unconscious procedural memory (UPC) is a type of memory where one is able to perform a task unconsciously without needing to recall past experiences in order to complete it. For example, Dr. Johnstone says that because you can ride a bike, doesn’t mean that you’ll remember where you learned the skill or readily be able to describe how you performed it.

To arrive at this phase of UPC, one most progress through three stages:

1. The cognitive stage

   • This is where we think about everything concerning a task. If we are looking at new music, we may go slowly, put space between notes, or group them into small bits that we have practiced in other contexts.

2. The associative stage

   • This stage gets easier and is more rewarding. It is characterized by being mostly based on repetition.

3. The autonomous stage

   • Once one has reached this stage, playing is much easier. However, the musician must still be engaged with their actions.

If you would like to learn more about each of these stages, read this article.

A Bit About Psychology

The cognitive stage can be a slow, difficult, and sometimes disheartening stage to be in. What you are trying to improve as a musician may be technically difficult, result in a product you think doesn’t yet sound good, and maybe include a screech or squawk.

Because of this, I would like to introduce another source from a non-musician that every musician and student should read. The title of the book is “The Inner Game of Tennis” by Timothy Gallwey.

Gallwey wrote, "Every game is composed of two parts, an outer game and an inner game." The former is played against opponents, and is filled with lots of contradictory advice; the latter is played not against, but within the mind of the player, and its principal obstacles are self-doubt and anxiety.

If you have been in an audition or a student showing up to an ISSMA competition, this book has value.

When I read The Inner Game of Tennis, it felt like a breath of fresh air. I was exhausted at university with having the ‘audition anxiety’ talks. Nobody had the same experiences as I did, and I was hearing hundreds of coping mechanisms that in and of themselves seemed to teach me that I should be more anxious than anything else. Whether you have had that experience or not, I think you will also find refuge in this book.

As Gallwey talks about the inner game, it gives room for your own voice. I could feel which words resonated with me and draw conclusions about strategies going forward.

The book emphasizes two seeds of the inner game: self-talk and preparation. To learn more, please find a copy of this book at your local library or buy a copy. So many of us are involved in multiple activities, so self-talk and preparation is cross-applicable to almost any activity from everyday school contributions to extracurricular endeavors.

My Integration of Muscle Memory

To finish off my contribution, I have included my hot-button bullet points that I utilize personally as well as in my teaching.

• Practicing the correct pattern of notes correctly comes first. The goal is to practice correctly to move through the cognitive phase. This can be done by practicing slowly, then speeding up.

• The cognitive phase can be slow-going. Quality over quantity is key. If self-talk or tension begins showing up along with more mistakes, it is time to take a break. Try again tomorrow. It doesn’t matter if it has only been 5 or 10 minutes. At least practice something else before taking a step back and trying again.

• [Bracket passages] and write down the skill being developed in the student’s assignment notebook.

• Change the grouping of technical passages.

• Practice sixteenth note passages as triplet passages and vice versa.

• Practice eighth note passages as triplet passages and vice versa.

• Turn eighth notes passages, or quarter note passage, into dotted rhythms.

To be overly repetitive (we are talking about practice after all): Quality over quantity is key. Take a break if needed and read The Inner Game of Tennis!

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-Dr. Jessica Myers, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

What is Music Therapy? 5 Things You Should Know Before Signing Up

Music therapy has been a source of healing for many years with the first published article appearing in 1789! Therefore, it isn’t just another “trend,” as there has been decades of research and studies conducted to support its effectiveness.

Below are the 5 things you should know if you think this tried and true form of therapy sounds beneficial.

Image from Inside Music Schools' Website: "Music Therapy: What Is It, And How Does It Make People Heal?”

1. Anyone Can Seek Out Music Therapy Services for Any Reason

A common assumption about any sort of therapy is that you should have something “wrong” with you to seek it out or begin a treatment process. Music therapy can be beneficial to anyone who has a goal they want to achieve.

Music therapists are trained to help anyone conceptualize, plan, and progress toward their goals using music to achieve them.

Common goals for those in music therapy are to strengthen communication, physicality, emotionality, and cognition. Even goals as simple as teaching a child a song to remember their address and phone number are common!

Image from Northwestern University’s website: “The Power and Science of Music Therapy”

2. Music Therapy is an Accredited Health Care Profession

There is a massive difference between a board-certified music therapist, and someone who is using music in a therapeutic way.

Music is therapeutic, no matter the setting in which it is presented. However a music therapist goes through intense training throughout college and beyond to truly practice music as a therapy.

Not only do music therapists have a strong musical background, they are also trained to be perceptive of situations, plan how music will help their clients achieve their goals, study how the brain and body react to music, and adjust musical experiences to best serve those they are working with.

Music therapists also frequently work on treatment teams with other professionals like physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, physicians, and nurses to create well-rounded care for their clients. Music therapy can also be prescribed by a doctor, just like other types of therapy!

3. Musical Knowledge Isn’t Required

Another assumption about music therapy is that one must have a background in music to be able to fully participate in a session.

Not only are music therapists trained in formal musical backgrounds and the scientific methods behind the therapy, but they are also trained to create positive musical experiences for even the most non-musically inclined person.

The point of music therapy is not to become a music performer or to receive training on a particular instrument. It is for those who have some sort of connection to music to then use that connection to make the changes they want to see in their life. That’s not to say that you won’t pick up some musical skills and abilities throughout the process, it just won’t be the focus.

4. It’s More Than Just Singing or Playing Instruments

Music therapy is an extremely diverse field with many different areas of thought and ideas about how best to use music to serve a population.

Music therapy can be broken down into 4 different experiences: receptive, recreative, improvisatory, and composition.

Receptive experiences in Bonny Method of Guided Imagery are all about listening to classical music and using it to explore thoughts and emotions that arise. This method doesn’t require any singing or playing at all but is just as effective.

Recreative experiences are playing pre-composed songs while improvisatory focuses on creating new, spontaneous music. Singing and playing small instruments are often the most accessible ways for a music therapist to connect with a client using the recreate and improvisatory methods.

Lastly, in a composition experience, a music therapist would help a client create their own music.

A well-trained music therapist will provide a wide variety of musical experiences for the client, based on what they excel at and what they are interested in.

More information about each of the 4 types of experiences/interventions can be found here.

5. There Are More Than Just The Emotional Benefits

It’s easy to associate the word “therapy” with mental health. However, the goal areas in which one may be working toward aren’t solely relating to emotional and mental wellness.

Music has an amazing ability to increase our communication with others, improve memory, create positive environments, strengthen motor skills and so much more.

Music therapists can provide such a wide range of treatment options because of their intense training and the fact that they work so closely with other professionals. Music therapy does not exist in a vacuum, it is an inspired, planned and coordinated effort by many professionals to provide increased wellness in all areas of life.

The greater Indianapolis area has many incredible music therapy services and programs that can help you on your journey of wellness. Click here to get started.

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-Lauren Nielson, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

A Beginner's Guide to the Trumpet

If you're reading this, you have probably just started playing the trumpet. If so, congratulations! The trumpet is a magnificent instrument that I have had the privilege of playing for over 15 years, and I’m excited to see you take the first step in your journey of learning how to play it. Playing the trumpet can be fun and challenging, but starting with a solid foundation will give you all the tools you need to succeed.

Begin with the Breath

Because it is a wind instrument, learning the correct breathing technique is essential to playing the trumpet well.

Beginners often make the mistake of taking shallow breaths in the chest, but to play trumpet with a rich tone, your breaths must go deep into your belly. This type of breathing is called “diaphragmatic breathing,” which actively engages the diaphragm muscle that supports the lungs to produce a much deeper breath.

You can practice diaphragmatic breathing by:

1. Sitting in front of a mirror and wrapping your hands around your sides with your thumbs and index fingers resting on the base of your rib cage.

2. Inhale, focusing on breathing into your belly and expanding it like a balloon. You should feel your sides expand beneath your hands, and as you look at your reflection, your shoulders should not rise. Take a few breaths this way.

3. Breathe normally and observe the differences. You should notice that the diaphragmatic breath makes your lungs feel much fuller, and this fullness is the exact kind of breath support you need to play the trumpet.

Posture and Positioning

Once you’ve mastered the diaphragmatic breath, you can move on to your posture.

To achieve proper trumpet playing posture:

1. Seat yourself toward the edge of your chair with both feet flat on the floor.

2. Sit up straight with your shoulders back in a position that should be neither stiff nor slouching.

3. Raise the trumpet so it is parallel to the floor or angled down slightly.

   Again, you want your posture to be comfortable, but don’t allow the horn angle to dip too much or you’ll constrict the airflow by pinching your throat.

To achieve proper positioning:

1. Wrap your right hand around the valve casings with your thumb in the first valve saddle and your index and middle fingers wrapping around the other side.

2. Slide your right ring finger into the 3rd valve ring and rest your pinky on the ring’s far side.

3. With your left hand, tuck your thumb under the lead pipe and rest it between the first and second valve casings.

4. Then, place your index, middle, and ring fingers on the three buttons.

   Trumpet players debate whether the left pinky should rest on top of the saddle or inside it, as having the pinky tucked limits the other fingers' dexterity in playing quick passages, but the choice is ultimately up to the individual player. However, it is important to press the buttons with your fingertips because using your finger pads will significantly limit your speed and dexterity. 

The “Buzz” about Trumpet

Now that you’ve learned how to breathe, sit, and hold your instrument correctly, you’re ready to play! But before you start playing the horn, you need to learn the "buzz" about the trumpet.

To learn to buzz:

1. Form your lips as if to say the letter “m,” (with the center of your lips pressed together and the corners of your mouth tight).

2. Loosen the center of your lips so that a stream of air can pass through, then gradually tighten them until you create a buzzing sound.

   *This part of learning the trumpet takes some trial and error, so be patient with yourself as you experiment.

3.  Once you’ve learned to buzz, place your mouthpiece on the center of your lips both vertically and horizontally.

   Depending on the positioning of your teeth, you may need to shift your position a little, but deviating too much from the center will cause problems with your playing later.

4. Now buzz into the mouthpiece and experiment with tightening and loosening your lips, noticing how the pitch produced changes.

   Trumpet players use these lip adjustments to expand their range of pitches, tightening to play higher pitches and loosening to play lower ones.

And now you’re ready to go! Test out your breathing, posture, hand positioning, and buzzing on the full instrument, and try some notes. Now that you’ve nailed the basics, you’re ready to explore the full range of this truly magnificent instrument.

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-Jordan Koehlinger, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

5 Songs to Ease Your Winter Blues

I don’t know about you, but this January weather has me feeling all sorts of things - and none of them are joyful. The almost constant state of gray skies and painfully cold winds has me feeling quite dreary. So what do I do to combat these winter blues? I put on some of my favorite tunes!

These songs have helped pull me out of some pretty dark shades of “blue.”

I truly hope they can do the same for you.

An article written by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) explains that “Music acts as a medium for processing emotions, trauma, and grief—but music can also be utilized as a regulating or calming agent for anxiety or for dysregulation.”

“Come Away with Me” - Norah Jones

I will forever and always be in love with Norah Jones’ voice. Whenever I’m feeling anxious or depressed, she’s the first artist I turn to. And although this song is 12 years old, it will always be one of my favorites.

The calming piano melody paired with her soothing voice helps remind me to center myself and breathe.

“Better Together” - Jack Johnson

If you haven’t heard any of Jack Johnson’s music, let me tell you - it is so relaxing. “Better Together” was the first song I ever heard of Jack Johnson’s. As soon as I heard the beautiful guitar intro, I was hooked.

And not only is he an amazing guitarist, but an amazing writer! The lyrics are sure to put a smile on your face - especially if you’re thinking of someone that you love. :-)

“Best Part” - H.E.R. ft. Daniel Caesar

If ya’ll haven’t listened to H.E.R., you need to start. She is one of the most all-around talented artists that I’ve ever come across. She’s an amazing songwriter, singer, guitarist, pianist, AND drummer. So other than the fact that I admire her because she’s such an amazing musician, this song immediately makes me feel at ease.

H.E.R.’s voice, as well as Daniel Caesar’s, are both so calming. The entire song is low-key, but the vocal melodies throughout are super impressive, making it not only calming but also interesting.

“Put Your Records On” - Corrine Bailey Rae

I couldn’t create this list without including this classic feel-good song. This song was released in 2006 but still puts a smile on my face every time I hear it.

I actually used to grow up singing this song. At any and every family gathering, my mom had my sister and I sing this song to family and friends. So not only do I love it for its upbeat and positive vibes, there’s also sweet sentimental memories attached to it.

“You’re Gonna Be OK” - Bethel Music, Jenn Johnson

I mentioned before that music has helped pull me out of some pretty dark places. This song is a perfect example of this. This is my go-to when I’m feeling extremely overwhelmed, hopeless, or defeated.

The lyrics that are most helpful for me in times of stress are, “Just take one step closer. Put one foot in front of the other. You’ll get through this. Just follow the light in the darkness. You’re gonna be OK.”

This song helps me remember to stay in the present and not focus on the future, which is ultimately outside of my control. It helps me remember to just take it one step at a time.

The ending of the song so beautifully reminds us:

“This won’t last. It’s not the end. You’re gonna be OK.”

I hope that these songs can bring you peace and calm like they’ve brought me. I hope you’re able to remember that this won’t last - light, life, and spring WILL come.

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-Maddie Harper, Marketing Manager at Vibe Music Academy

Top 5 Christmas Songs to Play on the Violin

Winter is almost here! With the temperatures steadily declining, Indianapolis is being taken over by the holiday season. On my daily walks around Broad Ripple I see lights strung in every neighborhood, Christmas trees through the windows, and everyone walking with a pep in their step. Downtown is bustling with cheer, and local orchestras are preparing for Christmas concerts.

This is my first winter in the Midwest, and my violin, viola and I couldn’t be more excited. With everyone getting into the holiday spirit, now is the perfect time for us musicians to be preparing some carols to play for our loved ones!

Here are my Top 5 Christmas songs for violin that any level of musician can enjoy! 

1. Deck the Halls

The Christmas carol Deck the Halls dates back to the 16th century. But did you know it wasn’t always considered a Christmas song? The melody comes from a Welsh winter song called “Nos Galan,” which was sung at New Years Eve celebrations.

In 1862 Thomas Oliphant created the English version that we know today. The melody was influenced by a genre of music from the Renaissance called a madrigal. Madrigals were typically sung acapella (without instrumental accompaniment) and included sections for a chorus of people to join in and sing.

Deck the Halls is a great party piece. At your next holiday party, break out your violin and give it a whirl! Your guests will love it and can sing along on the “fa la la’s”! 

2. Quelle Est Cette Odeur Agréable

Quelle Est Cette Odeur Agréable, translates to “Whence is That Goodly Fragrance Flowing.” It’s a traditional French carol from the 17th century about the Nativity.

Though rarely sung in the US, this beautiful piece made its way across the channel from France to England, and became a familiar tune in all of Europe. It became a part of John Gay’s, The Beggars Opera of 1728, which only used well known songs to please audiences.

This stunning song would be perfect to play on a quiet night in, while the snow is falling and the fire is roaring. Here is a recording of Sissel; a sensational soprano from Norway, singing the lovely melody in English.

3. Silent Night

The Napoleonic Wars brought a time of great hardship to the country of Austria. The little village of Oberndorf was engulfed by hunger and despair. Citizens of Austria were accustomed to experiencing crime and were at the mercy of prevailing economic and political climates at the time. This is when Reverend Joseph Mohr wrote the poem he called Stille Nacht, translated to Silent Night. He wrote the piece during a time of reflection upon the events he and his fellow citizens faced.

Mohr contacted his friend, Franz Xaver Gruber, who then set the poem to music. The two friends performed Silent Night for the first time on Christmas Eve in 1818 at a church service. After such a difficult time, the song captivated the audience and became a beacon of hope for them.

Through this difficult time, the world’s most famous song of peace was created and it still brings people together to this day. Silent Night would be the perfect song for a violinist to play at a candlelit Christmas Eve service. 

4. Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

We all know him, and we all love him. This Christmas song is about none other than Santa Claus. But did you know that our beloved protagonist of this holiday also has a rich history?

Santa can be traced back to over 1700 years ago in Turkey where he was referred to as Saint Nicholas. He was also well known for his generosity, particularly towards children.

The lyrics of this carol are simple and pleasant: a child telling Santa what everyone wants for Christmas. This song is great for a beginning musician to wow everyone at holiday parties! 

5. Jingle Bells

Did you know that Jingle Bells was originally a song for Thanksgiving? In 1850, a composer named James Lord Pierpont from Medford, Massachusetts wrote a piece to commemorate the annual sleigh races that took place around the Thanksgiving holiday.

By the 1860’s and 1870’s the piece started to be sung around Christmas time, and in 1889 it was first recorded on an Edison Cylinder. Though this recording is lost, another was made in 1898 that still survives.

Jingle Bells is a great piece of music to perform where the whole family can get involved and sing along.

So whether you’re playing for family and friends, or for your own amusement, make sure to include one of these songs during your next playing session on the violin.

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-Emily Waters, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

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Why Doesn't Thanksgiving Music Exist?

We all could name at least 5 Christmas songs off the top of our heads but…what about Thanksgiving music?

Turkey Baby

Please sing this in your head to the tune of “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt:

Turkey baby, just slip some gravy onto my plate for me.

Been an awful long year.

Turkey baby, so hurry get into my belly.

Okay so I made that one up. I hope you got as much enjoyment out of reading it as I did in creating it!

But why can’t we think of a single Thanksgiving song?! Well I’m here to tell ‘ya: there’s no money in it. Thanksgiving is a time of giving the gift of gratefulness, not the time of giving actual gifts, like during Christmas.

Retail stores love Christmas because that’s when they get TONS of revenue.

It’s All About the $$$

Have you noticed that stores, radios, social media platforms, and about every other place that music can be played/advertised starts playing Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving (and sometimes even before)?

Any time that I run to Target or Hobby Lobby (my two most frequented stores) during the holiday season, I’m almost always bound to buy something Christmas-related. Why? Well for one, the stuff is everywhere! And for two, it’s that dog-gone Christmas music playing in the background!

Did you know that background music playing in stores influences shoppers’ buying behavior? This study showed that the atmosphere of a store, which includes the scents, products displayed, and music playing, can cause shoppers to either stay longer and purchase more, or leave quicker and purchase less.

And you guessed it! Having Christmas music playing in a store boosts people’s moods and causes them to want to buy more products, especially Christmas products!

So now that we know that Christmas music encourages shoppers to buy more, let’s revisit why there isn’t a demand for Thanksgiving music.

Oh Turkey Leg, Oh Turkey Leg

As I mentioned before, Thanksgiving is a time of gathering together, eating yummy food, and reminiscing on things we’re grateful for. It is not a time of lavishing each other in gifts…and big businesses know that. So, there isn’t a demand to create Thanksgiving music to blare in stores because there isn’t much for people to buy anyway.

Other than the fact that there’s no money in Thanksgiving music, what would people even write about? Separatists leaving England? Colonialism? Turkey Legs?

Christmas has been so romanticized that there’s a million things to sing about, from finding your soul mate to beautiful lights on the tree. Thanksgiving on the other hand - it’d be a bit more difficult to dedicate an entire song to the beauty of a Turkey Leg. But it might be fun to see someone try. ;)

So yes, it is true that there is little to no Thanksgiving music on the market. However, if you look hard enough, you may find a gem.

Check out this new Thanksgiving song that Ben Rector just released! Thank you, Ben, for creating a beautiful song to get us into the Thanksgiving spirit this year.

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-Maddie Harper, Marketing Manager at Vibe Music Academy