4/24/09

The Power of Music in the Home


By way of introduction, I am a musician… a trained classical vocalist who is now the most over qualified bedtime singer around. Though I'm not performing in concert halls or cutting new albums, my musical training has taught me a few things about running a house.  Here are a some ways I use music in my home:
  •    Rise and Shine. Wake children up with cheerful music to help set a happy tone for the day.
  • Chore Time. Turn music such as Flight of the Bumblebee on when kids are doing their chores… kids tend to clean quicker with fast tempo music. This also exposes them to new types of music.
  • Worship. Welcome in the Sabbath with inspiring and uplifting music.
  • Celebrating Holidays. Feature music for each holiday.  Crooners love songs for Valentines Day, Marches for Veterans Day, Patriotic for Fourth of July, Olympic Fanfares for athletic events, Irish music for St. Paddy's Day, you get the idea.
  • Welcoming Guests. Music sets a welcome tone when guests arrive.  Soft instrumental music with a Latin flare is casual and fun for a get together.
  • Fun Time. I never miss a chance to dance with my kids.  Whether one on one, or all together with brooms as microphones, music lets us let loose and have fun.
  • Days End. Set the tone for bedtime with calming nature music, lullabies or instrumental preludes.

With careful attention, the music that enters our homes can help us build loving families, set a calming ambiance, and inspire all who enter.

If you're interested in a great way to play music in your home, check out Pandora.  This music playing site is SAFE and the result of years of research.  You can actually choose which music you like and the site remembers you and crafts a station just to your tastes.  In this Palace, Pandora's box is always open:)


Hey, Shabby Nest is having a Frugal Friday Decorating Party today!  Head over and take a look at all those cheap pretty ideas.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW! I'm first! Hooray for me LOL.
I love music and have always brainwashed.. er um I mean instilled the love music on my children.

I didn't realize just how much until one day my DS-11 said, "Mom, I'm feeling kinda nervous, can you put on some "smooth jazz" LOL Conversely, my DD-8 gravitates to Spa music during her times of crisis LOL

I have also been informed by my children that they can gauge my mood by the music I'm playing. Apparently, I'm in a very happy mood if I'm playing Cuban or Salsa music and they are more apt to approach me for special requests... sneaky children LOL

Smooth jazz and big band music is a favorite around here when people are feeling stressed.

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

I enjoy lots of styles of music. However, I seem to play childrens' music a LOT (hubby and daughters attend Music Together class). Flight of the Bumblebee- that's a good one! I need to find that one. I heart Pandora!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Good post! I learned some things today. :) I have a confession: I HATE children's music...you know, those CDs where the "choir" does not at all sound like a group of children. It takes every ounce of my resolve to switch the radio over to CD so my kids can listen to "their" music. ;)

Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

Ahh....music...worship - soothes my soul all the time.
Sending some friends your way today for my get a post up in 10 seconds and let's send them here. :)

Unknown said...

We have used pandora for 5 years. It is on very often. I was so glad when they added the classical music a year or two ago! That is what is usually on in our house.

We use the music application in hour home too. My husband even leaves his morning music on so that I have something nice to wake up to!

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

Pandora is a pretty cool deal. We love music around here too, but we are super eclectic.

At dinner time the other night we had the CDs set to shuffle... we heard Pavarotti, Michael Buble, A Flock of Seagulls, Faith Hill and Coldplay...

Please pass the salt.

Jane In The Jungle said...

You know how we are about music around here!!
Come get in my giveaway!

Jenna said...

I love Pandora too! My computer is a long ways away from the kitchen though so I find myself dreaming of having one of those outrageously-expensive Pandora boxes.

Salmagundi said...

When my kids were little, I did the music thing all of the time. But, now that I'm old, music has really started to bug me. Guess my old harmones knocked out my music gene. I use to play the piano a lot, but now all I want is silence. Go figure! Sally

Lorrie said...

The flight of the bumble bee...that's great!

Jennifer@woodleycottage said...

hi again!
My boys have their radios tuned to classical music while they sleep. It drowns out any outside noise so they stay sleeping and I told them that the classical music was brain food and that their brains were growing knowledge while they were sleeping. One day my 7 year old went to his room to study for a paper. When he came back down I quizzed him and he missed 2 quesions. So, he told me, "I don't know why I can't learn this. I even had my classical music on!" I thought it was most adorable.
Still loving your posts!
Jennifer

Anonymous said...

During renovations, I installed a doorbell that can be programmed with over a hundred pre-programmed songs and added downloadable songs. I change it for holidays but on a normal basis it plays a traditional Jewish celebration song. Even the pizza delivery guy and the Exterminator have smiled and laughed at the greeting. I love it as an added way to express myself through music and sound.

 
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