=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- APPLE II GRAPHICS & SOUND FORUM CONFERENCE LOG January 6, 1993 10 PM ET Topic: The Therapeutic Uses of Music Forum Leader: Scott Gentry (AFL Scott), Forum Assistant: Gene Koh (AFA Gene) Forum Consultants: Joyce Madden (AFC Joyce), Greg Dib (ELECTMUSIC), Ed Rosenblatt (AFC Eddie), Lindsay Hough (LindsayGS) Copyright (c) 1993 America Online All Rights Reserved =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- AFC JoyceM Okay...we can get started with music, healing, etc. As most of you know, I was in the hospital for a month last year. I Was in a semi-coma for two weeks, after a brain aneurysm burst. As soon as I was alert (that too has been in doubt), I asked for my trusty radio. The hospital I was in only had TV...and one can get TV'd out very, VERY quickly. Since I was not able to listen to CD's or tapes I had to rely on the radio to give me and music I needed. I chose classical station. It, most of it, was soothing. I am not an opera fan, so I was able to get a classical station (public radio) from Boulder (some 40 miles away), so my peace of mind was still in tact I found that I could "leave" pain and suffering and misery in the far back-ground by listening to this type of music, classical. Oh I had access to rock, heavy rock, the the gamat the radio offers...but I chose classical because it was more soothing. Since I have been home and have had a chance to listen to CD's, etc. I have acquired quite a library of 'healing' type music. Remember, that music or good sounds are within the listener. I know for a fact that when each of you hear a particular song, that it either brings a smile to your face, you tap your foot or fingers, it can bring some sort of happy moment to/for you. For those seconds, you are given a peaceful feeling, the music is calming Your nerves are unruffled. I recently puchased a CD called Heart Zones (Planetary Productions) that they claim will dissipate stress...I have listened to this CD several times and it generates stress to me, but for several of my friends is dissipates stress.... AFC DaveS What is the music like? New Age type stuff? Tim I'd imagine that different music affects different people in different ways...even differing when heard at different times. AFC JoyceM New Age, but more far out. I like Enya, who is New Age, but this is weird AFC JoyceM True, Tim AFC Ted Joyce, how do you like Windham Hill stuff? AFC JoyceM I do, and have several of this discs (CD's) AFC JoyceM My favorites are Enya, Dan Gibson, Phil Coulter, Peter Kater and Suzanne Ciani. Oh, and Ray Lynch. But what Tim says is very true. For the two weeks I was in this hospital, knowing what was going on, I put myself to sleep with classical music, and was able to forget things that I needed to at the time. There is a pretty good article in the August, 1992 issue of Reader's Digest on "Music's Surprising Power to Heal". They are using music now in some operating rooms and some dentists are using music instead of pain killers. ELECTMUSIC Joyce... I am sure there is still much we have to learn about music's medicinal value. AFL Scott This is a serious question, Joyce... does the RD article say anything about rock music being soothing? I know Pink Floyd puts me in a nice state of mind. ELECTMUSIC I would also be curious as to how music can help those terminally ill. AFC JoyceM Checking, Scott Tim Pink Floyd does that for me, if I'm in the right mood. Comfortably numb. AFC JoyceM It doesn't say Scott, but I think any music that is soothing to you is what it's about. Greg, that is discussed too in this article...about people dying of cancer and using music to ease their pain. Music in general can give simple enjoyment ELECTMUSIC What kinda hits home on this was watching my uncle slwoly ebb away at home and there was not a note of music being played. Kinda wish we could have put a Radio on. AFC JoyceM Sad on both accounts. AFL Scott (Wish you were here) AFC JoyceM I listen to Dan Gibson, who has a number of nature recordings...recordings of lakes, trees (wind blowing thru them), and the like... ELECTMUSIC Well thats what life is all about.... learning how to improve the quality of life what ever time we have. Any one remember the movie "Soylent Green" AFL Scott Those cookies were great! :) AFC JoyceM I do, Greg. Scott!!! ELECTMUSIC Well... thats the way that society took care of their terminally ill before they died (after they died it was a different story). AFC JoyceM This is a whole new field of study and the experts still don't know everything they should...research. I can say from experience, music helped me survive...I was not expected to live. My sister would bring her radio down and play when I was in CCU. Any questions...or comments? AFL Scott Was this a gradual thing or did you calm down immediately? I mean, with me, it takes a bit...sort of like falling into a zone. AFC JoyceM A gradual thing...like sliding off a rock, it took time to get off the high or jumbled mess my mind was in (remember that my mind was 'bruised' too) AFC Ted How long did it take you to recover completely? AFC JoyceM Scott, it took time for my body to respond quietly AFC JoyceM Ted, I am still not recovered :( completely...and probably won't ever be AFC Ted Sorry..:( AFC JoyceM I am still somewhat paralized on my right side and still cannot swallow, etc. But getting stronger as the weeks go by AFC Ted I had a feeling as soon as I hit return that I phrased it poorly. I'm sorry to hear that. AFC JoyceM No problem Ted, I understand...have had 11 months to think about what has happened. I listen to a great deal of music these days, more than I ever have, it has been most soothing and comforting ELECTMUSIC Joyce... your the strength and will is an example we all can benefit from AFC JoyceM Thanks, Greg...my physical therapists says the same thing AFC JoyceM I also don't talk much either, my vocal chords are also paralyzed, and it can be difficult to understand me. ELECTMUSIC And sharing this with us tonight has provided me with insights I will remember AFC JoyceM Thanks, Greg...kind words AFC Eddie You sound good to me, Joyce! ELECTMUSIC Ditto... Eddie AFC JoyceM I play the organ and keybord to help me physically and also musically. It is great therapy. Of course, I paint too...that is my real love, but I can listen to music when I paint...so ... Best of both worlds :) AFL Scott Are you able to get out and around, Joyce? AFC JoyceM This music therapy is so new, as I said, that research will be ongoing. AFL Scott I remember you once saying that you had a special place to paint. AFC JoyceM I do, Scott, I have a studio now.....in my home... AFC DaveS That sounds nice! AFC JoyceM I also find that music that I always like (love) can be very irritating to me on some days...can't explain it either! AFC Ted I know the feeling :) AFC DaveS Depends on my mood. AFL Scott Y'know, I hate it when that happens. I especially hate it when I buy something that I've heard on the radio and then get it home and then that feeling hits! It's frustrating as hell! AFC JoyceM Wonder why that happens? Weird...because give it a couple of hours and the music sounds just fine! I usually listen to a CD before I buy it (we have a store that lets us do that) AFC Eddie I think music sounds different once you "own" it. AFC JoyceM That could be part of the problem. The CD (comes on tape too) of Heart Zones was written up in one of our local papers as being just the thing for stress reducing...not me. AFC Eddie Like anything changes between the time you desire it and the time you possess it. ELECTMUSIC Joyce could yo explain how the GS has also helped in your therepy? AFL Scott That's probably true, Eddie. Joyce, when I was a kid, my friends and I used to go a record shop that let you play the records before you bought them -- it was great. Now, though, you have to fight for an hour to get a CD out of the long-box. The store you go to is rare -- at least in this area. AFC JoyceM I remember...yes, I hate those long boxes too...We have several stores that let you listen before you buy, CD's that is. AFC Ted I'm glad they're going to do away with them. AFC JoyceM Sure, Greg, I can do that. Typing is most difficult for me, so my therapist has me typing on the GS daily. I am getting so much better and faster (used to type 80 WPM) been using AW Classic. Don't have a typing program, but what my brain tells my hands to do doesn't always work! AFC DaveS Your typing speed seemed pretty good to me all this time...I hadn't realized how difficult things have been for you...feel a little ashamed. ELECTMUSIC How about music or art on the GS? (art or graphics) AFC JoyceM Don't be, Dave.... AFC JoyceM I use the GS for keyboarding some music. Haven't used it yet for artwork. AFC JoyceM Night all...I too must call it an evening. Thanks for the participation. AFL Marty Goodnight Joyce AFC Eddie Thank you, Joyce!