Although the recent pandemic has been difficult for people in many different ways, one of the positive aspects that’s emerged has been a newfound sense of community. If we’ve learned anything from our time spent in isolation, it’s that we don’t need to be physically close to each other in order to connect – and one of the best ways to do this is through the power of music.
While music has the power to improve your mood and decrease pain and anxiety, perhaps most importantly, music has the power to bring people together. There’s nothing like sharing an earbud or having a sing and a dance with friends and family members – whether it’s in your kitchen or over a Zoom call. You may have even seen the viral videos of people singing to each other from their balconies while in lockdown, or watched musicians live streaming to reach fans at home.And though we can now attend things like music festivals and concerts, you may not feel comfortable doing so just yet plus events like these aren’t usually on our calendars every week.
Luckily, there are still many other ways you can get involved with music while connecting with loved ones, and giving your physical and mental health a significant boost. With that said, here are some ways that you can get involved with music from home.
1. Sing like no one’s listening
Of all the different forms of music, singing is arguably the most powerful – as well as the most accessible. Time and again studies show that singing doesn’t only have the power to boost our mood and encourage social bonding – it can even raise our pain thresholds. Because singing is a mindful activity that allows us to stay present, it can create distance from negative emotions like stress and sadness, and help us feel calmer, happier, and more confident.
For all of these reasons, singing is the perfect antidote for loneliness and anxiety, and there are so many ways you can incorporate singing into your daily routine. You could begin each morning by choosing a theme song for that day; think about how you’re feeling or what message you want to convey – then choose a song that feels empowering. If you don’t already sing in the shower, give it a go – and then try singing when you’re making coffee, cooking dinner, or cleaning the house, too. Singing isn’t called ‘the world’s most accessible stress reliever’ for nothing – so why not give it a try and see what difference it makes?
While singing by yourself has big benefits, singing in groups is even more beneficial. When we sing with other people, it provides feelings of belonging and togetherness – and thanks to the digital age we live in, it has never been easier to get a group together for a singalong. You could reach out to friends and family and suggest a virtual singalong via Zoom – or why not consider joining a virtual choir? Got 2 Sing Online Choir runs an online choir class every Monday evening, so you may want to try a free taster session. Alternatively, you might want to join Music for Everyone’s free weekly online choir.
To find out more about virtual choirs, check out this Guardian article – and to read more about the powerful health benefits of singing, have a read of this article by Healthline.
2. Make a playlist for every occasion
From making mixtapes with cassettes to burning CDs, people have been making playlists for decades. And with audio streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music, making your own has never been easier. Making a playlist is not just a handy way to have all of your favourite music in one place, but it can also be a rewarding, creative, and cathartic process in which you can express yourself musically. So whether you’re feeling low and need a pick-me-up or just want an outlet to express your frustration, putting together a playlist to suit your mood can help you regulate your emotions and feel more positive and empowered.
For example, if you’ve noticed you’re feeling sad, try putting together a playlist of songs that convey happy memories and positive feelings, and see if that helps. If you’re finding it hard to unwind, try making a playlist of soothing music that you find relaxing. If you’d like more advice on how to choose songs to suit your mood or a certain occasion, check out the mood playlists on music streaming services. Spotify (free basic account), Apple (try free for three months), and Amazon Music (monthly subscription fees apply) all offer a variety of genres to suit your frame of mind, whether you’re looking for a song to boost your mood or a track that’s perfect for a cold winter day.
You can also check out other people’s playlists for inspiration. And, when you’re finished with yours, you could even share it in the comments below – you never know, your specially curated playlist could give someone else the pick me up they need on a tough day.
3. Attend live music events online
There are many reasons why we can’t go to all of the concerts we’d like to – whether it’s due to financial reasons, a busy life schedule, or maybe (like many of us) you’re not quite comfortable being among a crowd just yet. However, if you enjoy listening to live music, the good news is that you can still do this from the comfort of your own home. Musicians are still keen to connect with their fans, and there are all kinds of virtual events you can attend – from virtual festivals to must-see livestreams and intimate concerts. Not only will attending a live music event online be enjoyable, it’s also a great way to show solidarity and support for your favourite artists and venues who’ve been hit hard by the recent pandemic.
Head over to The List to check out upcoming online music events: from dramatic orchestral performances to intimate acoustic gigs, there’s hopefully an event for everyone. Eventbrite also has plenty of exciting online music events lined up, including concerts with top cellists, jazz music series, and even open mic nights. Alternatively, why not head over to Song Kick and check out their many upcoming live stream concerts?
So why not book tickets for a fun online music event and invite along some friends or family members too? After the live music you could arrange a Zoom call to chat and share what you all thought about the show, and perhaps plan your next virtual music event. After all, the show must go on, and appreciating music with your loved ones – even virtually – is just as rewarding as it is enjoyable.
4. Join online music groups
If you love talking about music, there are all kinds of online groups you can join where you can meet like-minded people, chat about your favourite bands, and swap music suggestions.
You could head over to Music Banter; one of the internet’s biggest online music communities. You can post or read album reviews, chat about musical instruments and songwriting, rate new releases, talk about life in the community forum, and delve into sub-forums for pretty much every musical genre – from punk, folk, jazz, reggae, rock, indie, pop, and classical.
You might also want to check out Chorus.fm, where you can take part in polls, chat about music new and old, and swap recommendations. If you like writing songs yourself, head over to SongStuff where you can chat to seasoned songwriters and enthusiastic amateurs alike. There are forums for introductions, forums for tutorials and reviews, and forums for writing songs – covering everything from asking for criticism and feedback to participating in fun songwriting challenges.
If you’re on Facebook, you may want to browse some of their music-focused groups – and because there are over 10 million groups, we’re sure you’ll find some that interest you! There are groups for people who love 80s music, groups focused on classical soul music, and groups for classical music lovers – to name just three.
5. Start learning to play an instrument
Have you ever dreamed of playing an instrument or even writing songs of your own, but you were simply too busy to commit to lessons? With the amount of learning opportunities available online, you can find plenty of fun and convenient options for learning an instrument. What’s more, is that you can choose to learn independently or with a teacher.
If you’re keen to start learning online by yourself, you might want to check out the BBC’s music resources and courses – and if you’re interested in learning to sing, head over to BBC Sing for a step-by-step guide on improving your singing technique. YouTube also has countless music tutorials, from vocal warmup exercises to learning the basics of piano playing. There are so many free music tutorials available online that it’s impossible to list them all, but you can check out 21 of the best here.
If you’d prefer to learn with a teacher, you can do that from home too. Yousician uses award-winning technology to give you feedback as you learn to sing or play the guitar, bass, ukulele, or piano. For a monthly or annual fee, you’ll gain access to over 1,500 popular songs and exercises across multiple genres, and the enormous video library encompasses all abilities – from rookie to advanced. So why not try a free trial to see if it’s for you?
At imusic-school (subscription fees apply) you can learn to play 12 different instruments including the harmonica, drums, clarinet, and flute, and you’ll be paired with an expert teacher to give you personalised instruction and guidance.
6. Mix music using online programs
If you want to get creative with music but don’t fancy learning an instrument, then why not try mixing your own music? These days, there are so many accessible music-editing tools that anyone can find their inner DJ and have fun making their own tunes with a little bit of practice. If you just want to have a play around and use existing music to produce unique remixes, you can do this with free software – check out Lifewire’s recommendations for free DJ tools to find out more.
If you’re totally new to mixing and creating your own music and would like some guidance, you could always sign up for Udemy’s Beginner Audio Mixer Course, where you’ll learn how to use professional sound mixers. You don’t need any prior knowledge of audio equipment, but you do need access to an audio mixer to practice on yourself. Alternatively, you might want to check out Udemy’s Complete Mixing Masterclass, where you’ll begin with the very basics of mixing and work up to creating great tracks.
Final thoughts...
The power of music in enhancing our physical and mental health and helping us feel connected to others can’t be underestimated. Music is part of what makes us human, and as the world changes and develops, we’ve found new ways to bond over it, and to use it to boost our mood, manage stress, and maintain our sanity.
The beauty of music is that there’s something for everyone, so whether you want to learn an instrument, try mixing music, connect with like-minded music lovers, or simply take some time to sit back and really listen to your favourite tracks, you can get involved with music at any time, from the comfort of your own home.
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