Enhance Life with Music

Parents are significant "players" when it comes to ensuring a positive and successful music lesson experience for children. Music is a gift that can be enjoyed for a lifetime! Discover practical ways to create a desire to learn in your young (twelve and under) child. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/28   Facebook Page Instagram LinkedIn Tw...

Brain research shows that musicians' training increases their sensitivity to the emotion in all sounds – a highly useful skill in personal, business, and academic relationships. Dr. Kraus finds that " sound processing is biologically intertwined with listening and language skills, " and says, "Probably the healthiest thing we can do for our brains is to make music." Links and notes related to this...

How does video game music communicate gameplay information, adrenalize us, and stimulate reward centers in our brains? Dr. Ryan Thompson takes us behind the scenes of Michigan State University's Game Design and Development Program, in a discussion about the role and evolution of music in video games. Bonus: Learn about a fantastic resource of free game music remixes. Links and notes related to thi...

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we take a look at the rich history and function of music and spirituals within African American culture, including its relationship to gospel music, ragtime, blues and jazz, soul, and hip hop/rap. Listeners will also hear about the incomparable Harry Belafonte, and the unique cultural preservation of the Gullah/Geechie region of the southern coastal US. Link...

Guided therapeutic music creation and experiences can help both children and adults on the autism spectrum with social, physical, emotional, verbal, and cognitive skill sets. Music engages one's curiosity and inner motivation, resulting in increased attention span, social bonds, and deeper integration of skills. Interventions address crossing the midline, cathartic release of emotion, auditory def...

You probably don't need scientific studies to tell you that music makes exercise more enjoyable. But what is its true effect on exercise intensity and endurance? According to Costas Karageorghis, Ph. D., one of the world's leading authorities on music and exercise, "Music is like is a legal drug for athletes. It can reduce the perception of effort significantly and increase endurance by as much as...

For nearly 25 years, MyMusicRx has delivered joy-based music programming to kids of all ages and diagnoses at pediatric hospitals. MyMusicRx's bedside and online programs relieve stress, anxiety, and perception of pain for hospitalized kids. Engaging musical experiences include live, in-hospital concerts; one-on-one bedside music lessons and performances; online music lessons, games, and exclusive...

Robert Thies first captured worldwide attention in 1995 when he became the only American pianist to win first prize in a Russian piano competition since Van Cliburn won in Moscow in 1958. Robert's playing is featured in The Life of Pi, Concussion, Fracture, Fifty Shades Freed, and many others. Hear from the man behind the music in this Artist Spotlight episode, including Robert's source of inspira...

In last week's episode, we talked about the magic and joy of Christmas music, and also the fact some of us have an emotional response to this same music that is more bitter than sweet.  The holiday season can certainly magnify grief and loneliness.  Last week's episode touched on some redemptive ways to process the pain and discomfort that can be triggered by Christmas music.  If you are experienc...

There is nothing like holiday music to immediately put me in the holiday spirit! For me, that means Christmas, with its cultural and religious celebrations, bookended by Thanksgiving and New Year's. The best way to describe this holiday mood seems to be the term nostalgia , and nostalgia can definitely be bittersweet.  It seems to peak around the holidays and it is universal: it crosses cultures,...

Background music can influence us to eat faster, eat slower, purchase more items, or purchase higher end items. Learn about some of the characteristics of music that are considered in selecting music for marketing purposes – and utilize your knowledge at your next dinner party! Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episode18   More Connections:...

The world's next big pop star just may be from Vietnam.  In this Sound of Your Heritage episode, hear what's happening in Vietnam's active, talented, and diverse independent music scene – and learn about some of its hottest current artists. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episode17   More Connections: Facebook Page Instagram LinkedIn

Dr. Concetta Tomaino co-founded the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function with the renowned author and neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks. Tomaino's work is highlighted in two feature films based on Dr. Sacks' work: The Music Never Stopped ; and Awakenings , with Robert De Niro and Robin Williams . Dr. Tomaino is internationally known for her research in the clinical applications of music and neur...

We honor our veterans with a look at the role music plays in our military. Guest Jari Villanueva also gives a behind-the-scenes look at the call of Taps, a way of thanking the military for their service and for a job well done. Veterans Day is November 11. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episode15   Facebook Page  https://www.facebook.com...

With a theme of resilience, Ugandan-born multi-instrumentalist and producer Samite Mulondo uses the power of music to bring comfort, healing, and hope to child soldiers, refugees, orphans, and others experiencing traumatic and frightening circumstances. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episode14   Facebook Page Instagram LinkedIn    

For many Americans, the marching band drumline is the sound of fall – mixed with colliding helmets and crowds cheering. The marching band, and specifically the drumline, bring an energy, school spirit, and game mood to the college football experience.  We are talking today about the college drumline and its integral role in football game spirit. Links and notes related to this episode can be found...

Melodic Caring Project is a non-profit organization that uses music to provide therapy, hope, and empowerment to children suffering from serious illness or injury. Melodic Caring Project teams up with local and nationally touring artists to connect them directly to children by streaming personalized concerts to kids in their hospital rooms (or homes, in between treatment). Their use of technology...

Get Tiger Mom results without the Tiger Mom bite! In her article, "A Lion Mom Roars," Susan Pascale discusses her methods for getting high-level results without sacrificing a child's childhood or the parent-child relationship.  She explains how to have high expectations for excellence and ambition for your children and students – without the negativity that can go along with being a Tiger Mom (a t...

Organ music immediately sets the mood for fans, fills breaks in the action, and engages the crowd. Hear the story of St. Louis Blues' rallying cry, Gloria, and engage with your hockey team's organist on Twitter. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episode10   Facebook Page Instagram LinkedIn

Our first Artist Spotlight episode features composer, animal-lover, and vegan foodie Dr. Douglas Knehans, who has lived and worked in places as varied as Australia and Cincinnati. His compositions have been performed worldwide at Steinway Hall, Carnegie Hall, and festivals in Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Austria, the US and Australia. Links and notes related to this episode can be found...

We Americans love productivity: We love feeling productive, we're proud of increasing our productivity, and we're fond of anything that will get us into a  flow state, also known as being "in the zone" – that mental state of being fully immersed in an activity with energized focus. Studies and brainscans have shown that certain music can bring us to a focused flow state and then keep us there, inc...

Music has been a part of Jewish life since ancient Biblical times, and remains integral to the Jewish religious and cultural experiences. Hazzan Pomerantz-Boro tells us about the Jewish High Holidays (personal preparation is taking place now) and the role Jewish music plays in Jewish culture and holidays/celebrations. Some of America's greatest composers and songwriters are Jewish (including Aaron...

This book is a classic, and I have been recommending it to my students' families for years. The author makes a strong case for musical training and daily practice for all kids, even if they are not one of the rare kids who enjoy practicing. Gently but firmly implementing daily practice time for your child will provide musical rewards they can enjoy for a lifetime (not to mention the many life skil...

The ukulele seems to have exploded in popularity in the last five years or so with both amateurs and experienced musicians, and across all ages!  Ben Hassenger, self-described Ukulele Ambassador to Michigan, explains why the ukulele is so attractive to so many people across so many demographics.  He also explains the versatility of the instrument in spanning all levels of difficulty: the uke is sm...

After Gabby Giffords' horrific shooting in 2011, Maegan Morrow helped her re-learn to speak using music therapy.  Maegan explains how music is used for healing the brain. The brain's ability to pave new pathways around damaged areas is called neuroplasticity. Learn how music generates neuroplasticity superpowers! Among its many benefits, singing strengthens the immune system; increases lung capaci...