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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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While reading other posts about the nature of music I did some Googling entering such things as "music's effects on the brain" and came across "The Kenny Rogers Effect".
A neuroscientist named David Soto in the UK studied the effects of music on 60 stroke victims and came to the conclusion that listening to music (as opposed to audio books and nothing at all)helped most in their recovery.
He played random music not necessarily the type the patients said they preferred.
However the music that got the best results were The Flying Burrito Brothers, Frank Sinatra and the one one most beneficial, Kenny Rogers.
He said they were thinking of calling the music therapy, "The Kenny Rogers Effect".
His goal was to provide a possible way to help stroke victims without the dangerous side effects of drugs now being used.
I know that Music Therapy is now an accepted course/major in some colleges.
Does that mean to get a degree you have to pass a "bar" exam?
Of chorus!
Carkins
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I have finally convinced people here in my nursing home, specifically the Activities Director, to investigate Music Therapy for our elderly patients, including us stroke victims. I have been recruited to provide the music every morning to accompany exercise classes. The residents have responded overwhelmingly to the music of their High School years. Coincidentally, I play "The Chicken Dance" and even the most debilitated will respond in some positive way. Perhaps just moving their feet slightly while smiling broadly. It is so heartwarming to witness.
Until their resent deaths, we had both a Broadway Show Dancer and a Concert Pianist who, although being in end-stage Alzheimer's, learned eye-blink communication and could answer my yes/no questions and, using a scan method, could tell me what they wanted to have me play on Pandora. I truly loved those ladies. Probably the copyright cops would arrest me for showing love to a couple of octogenarian ladies who had long since paid their contributions to the world.
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Quote:
the music that got the best results were The Flying Burrito Brothers, Frank Sinatra and the one one most beneficial, Kenny Rogers
It might be interesting to know if there were any artists who had an adverse effect?
ROG.
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Probably Celine Dion, Kenny G and Michael Bolton. I know when I hear any of those 3 I want to step in front of a speeding bus. Possibly why my last girlfriend played Kenny G non stop....
I tried playing Kenny Rogers music for my ex wife Ruby and she ended up taking her love to town....
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Hey. Eddie.
How come I always get to play the straight man and you get the punch lines?
ROG.
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Timing is everything, my overdubbing friend!!
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Quote:
Probably Celine Dion, Kenny G and Michael Bolton. I know when I hear any of those 3 I want to step in front of a speeding bus. Possibly why my last girlfriend played Kenny G non stop....
I tried playing Kenny Rogers music for my ex wife Ruby and she ended up taking her love to town....
You gotta know when to fold'em 
Waitress "How did you find your steak sir"?
Me "I just looked next to the potatoes and there it was"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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So far, the top categories are: (1) 50s R&R, (2) Classic Country (George Jones, Patsy Cline, etc.), (3) Now Country (Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, George Straight, Alison Krauss, etc.) (4) Bluegrass, (5) Big Bands from the 40s (Glen Miller, The Dorseys, Basie, Ellington, etc.) (6) R&B (Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Righteous Brothers, etc.) Obviously, this is true locally only. Classic Country and Bluegrass are extremely popular down here. I was surprised last Friday by a request for Cajun Fiddle. Good ole Pandora to the rescue.
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Quote:
So far, the top categories are: (1) 50s R&R, (2) Classic Country (George Jones, Patsy Cline, etc.), (3) Now Country (Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, George Straight, Alison Krauss, etc.) (4) Bluegrass, (5) Big Bands from the 40s (Glen Miller, The Dorseys, Basie, Ellington, etc.) (6) R&B (Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Righteous Brothers, etc.) Obviously, this is true locally only. Classic Country and Bluegrass are extremely popular down here. I was surprised last Friday by a request for Cajun Fiddle. Good ole Pandora to the rescue.
All of the above big favorites with my retirement community crowds. Now if I played the chicken dance in my area I would probaly get live chickens thrown at me. You see down South our chicken does not have time to dance because as soon as it can walk it is thrown into a Gumbo, Jambalaya, Grill or deeeeeeeeep fryer!
Later,
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I do not have musical talent as many of you pro's but, have
nice little story bout Seniors and music.
When practicing I have a Passable voice, went from crappy to
almost acceptable, bit of FX and its passable.
With my Yamaha Arranger keyboard and growing up with parents
really into music, many of the old songs were ingrained into me.
Have passable chording abilities, decent "earing", and able to
read enough music to learn songs, playing with them on my board.
I Gigged in hospitals, Assisted Care, nursing homes, and couple
of Alzheimer places.
After all the B.S. about finally got here..
With great trepidation I worked up the nerve to start gigs.
Don't mind talking as you know, but never one to be in "Spotlight".
Was hard to overcome, took bout 6 months and a lot of audience support.
Many sad/happy experience but these two stick out.
Played maybe 2 years this one nursing home. Many very ill folks, but rapt
audiences. Over this time I'd hear many times "sort of a moaning" sound.
Never pinned it down. Finally ask a caregiver about it. A wheelchair bound
lady who apparently could not speak was saying "Bravo" to me. Some period
of time later was asked to come over to her. Did as asked, as approaching the
wheel chair, caregiver assisted her to stand up in front of me. In halted,but
understandable words she said "I love Your Music". Still has a spot in my heart.
2nd one, then done.
In Alzheimer wing played late one afternoon. Did about 75-80 minutes, many of
the folks dancing, mostly by themselves, but dancing. Did notice this very
old lady dancing a lot, hootchy-cootchy, type style, almost funny but was having
good time.
At end of gig while tearing down, a caregiver helped the old gal over to me.
The lady said to me very clearly, "Love Music". Few minutes later the caregiver
came back to me and said, "Those are the first words she had spoken in many
months here". BTW, she was 92..
As many of you experienced folks know these seniors are so supportive and great
bunch to play for. There are so many happy and sad memories for the 3 years I gigged.
Anyway enough said, many of you have some of the same type stories I'm sure.
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Bravo, Frank!
I would love to hear more experiences from forum members.
We have one young-ish guitarist/singer who comes in unannounced and unscheduled, sits down and mesmerizes the patients with his music then leaves as unceremoniously. As a theft deterrent, we can't carry cash so he doesn't even get tips. Rumor has it that his grandmother died here so he does it in her honor.
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Great stuff Frank. Reminds a lot of us about the reason WHY we play.
As long as those two words weren't "You suck", you are doing it right.
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Great stories Frank, Back when I was representing a little local charity in my area I spent a lot of time playing nursing homes and special education classes in our school system. So I'll share a couple of my own if you don't mind.
In one of the nursing homes there was this grumpy old gentleman that I would have a lot of fun with from time to time. He always initiated the conversations, one went like this: I was setting up and he said he could tell a lot about me from just watching me. I said oh yes, what can you tell? He said you like music, I responded, with a smile and a grain of sarcasm, wow you got that just by looking at me take my “guitar” out of it's case? I proceeded to attach the skirt (which had a few wrinkles in it) around my laptop stand and he said, “I can also tell your wife is too damn lazy to iron, how bout that one smart ass"?
On another occasion I decide I would pick at him first and asked him if he was ever going to get out of that chair and help me set up for one of my gigs. He answered, what ya gonna pay me? I said, I'll pay you half of what I make. He replied, “that sounds fair what you make”? So using my thumb and forefinger I made the “0” sign about two feet from his face and without missing a breath he shouted, “you're a damn fool”!
If this becomes a topic I will share many more.
Later,
Last edited by Danny C.; 09/17/12 11:12 AM.
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I would strongly encourage anyone reading this thread to read Oliver Sacks' book, "Musicophilia".
-Scott
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