Dr. Rod Paton
Dr. Eileen Pankhurst
Dr. Julia Potter
Dr. Ruth Lowry
www.chi.ac.uk
Singing for Health the ‘Lifemusic’ Way
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Singing in the UK (especially England)
The Lifemusic Method
The‘Vox Anima’ Singing for Health Project
Interim outcomes and evaluations
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Absence of ‘universal tongue’ (folksong)
Strong media norms (e.g. ‘The Voice’ ‘X Factor’)
Traditional choral societies exclusive
Schools tend to narrowly define ‘singing’
Growth of community choirs
Grassroots movements (NVPN, Sound Sense)
Wider concept of voicework from therapeutic
practice
‘Gareth Malone’ effect
Surge of interest in therapeutic value of singing
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“I’ll do ‘owt but sing…” (participant before
session)
“You made me sing you b*****d!” (same
participant after session)
“I can’t sing – I’m tone deaf”
“I wouldn’t inflict my voice on anybody.” (John
Humphries, broadcaster)
Embarrassed laughter – protestations - flushing
“Maybe you used to sing like an angel but now
you sing like a crow.” (music examiner to 15-year
old student.)
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Everyone is musical
There are no wrong
notes in music
Every sound has a
meaning
Music making is an
act of trust
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The myth of talent
Re-defining musicality
Challenging cultural
norms
Musical ability defined
as sporting prowess
Quality of experience
more important than
value of musical object
Originality and
imagination not
dependent on physical
or mental dexterity
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Only ‘norms’
Imposition of “right” notes
political not musical
Canonic values embedded
in musical style
Potential for abuse
‘errors’ might be hidden
intentions (Brian Eno)
Individuality and expression
limited by notion of
‘rightness’
Non-judgemental approach
necessary for creative life
and for therapeutic focus
Schooling destroys
creativity (Ken Robinson)
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The myth of the beautiful
(not just in music)
Fallacious notion that
there is a right way to
sing
Exploring full potential of
voice
Stepping outside of the
familiar
Range of vocal texture
linked to human
potential
Different voices open up
new channels - mental,
emotional, physical
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Liminality and
improvisation (Even
Ruud)
Communitas
Hearing – Listening
– Sensing – Feeling
Structures of trust
Affect attunement
(Daniel Stern)
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Participation
Improvisation
Communication
Well-being
Improvisation
Direction of travel – from inner to outer
Connects with the moment
Cannot be commodified
Opens pathways of healing
Promotes synchronicity
“It’s a rainbow!
The group had been performing an improvisation called “rainbows” when one of
the participants actually saw one through the window.
“Composition says ‘I’ improvisation
says ‘we’ (Joachim Berendt)
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Warming up - awakening
Improvising - imagining
Communicating - sharing
Performing - witnessing
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Single GP practice – Chichester
Patients’ Participation group
University/community engagement
Taster sessions
Lottery funded
Aims and expectations variable
Average attendance 40-50
Total attendance since Jan 2012, 180+
Measuring well-being and health benefits
Model disseminated through practice managers
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Warm-ups…body and brain
gym
Chi gong – stretching and
singing
Speechsong
Improvisation with holding
forms
Traditional songs
Rounds and canons
World music – chants and
joiks
Spirituals
Originals – specially
composed music
Participants’ choices
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3 models of evaluation
Psychological/Social
Physiological
The Lifemusic questionnaire
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4 data collection points – April/July/Sep/Dec
General health conditions and lifestyle
Body composition
Peak flow
Cortisol in saliva
Daily record sheets – sleep, medication,
resting pulse, waist circumference
Evidence of improved sense of well-being
and “looking after oneself”
Medical data inconclusive
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Motivation (Self regulation questionnaire)
Quality of Life
Social support network
2 time points of evaluation 1 month apart
Love of singing, fun and enjoyment (Intrinsic
motivation)
Modest improvement in quality of life
Strengthens self-identity
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Makes you more cheerful
Improves breathing
Relaxing
Increases alertness
Promotes friendship
Increases confidence
Raises energy levels – revitalizing
Reduces stress
Promotes community, develops friendships
Creates unique feeling of achievement/satisfaction
Uplifting (spiritually)
Helps people sleep more deeply
Physical exercise
Raises mental alertness
Enhances concentration
Opens up the personality
Sense of elation
Simple enjoyment
Raises sense of perception – increases ability to notice detail
Combats depression
Brian Eno
I believe that singing is the key to long life, a good figure, a stable temperament, increased
intelligence, new friends, super self-confidence, heightened sexual attractiveness and a better sense
of humor. A recent long-term study conducted in Scandinavia sought to discover which activities
related to a healthy and happy later life. Three stood out: camping, dancing and singing.
Lifemusic
www.lifemusic.org
Putting the ‘hum’ into human