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I had some very bad news yesterday, feeling exceedingly down all day. In the evening I had a brass quintet rehearsal and although I did not feel like going, could not let my colleagues in the ensemble down.

It was amazing that within a few minutes of us starting playing I had entirely forgotten my troubles, concentrating on the music and actually enjoying myself. At the end of the evening I felt calm for the first time that day, going home and having an undisturbed sleep. It is really wonderful the therapeutic effect of playing music, particularly in a group!

Music truly is a good friend for life!!!

If you don't mind an amateur piping in, I've found the same thing. I look forward to my weekly meetings of community orchestra and band rehearsals. Even though I'm not that good, I still enjoy the heck out of it. Music really does sooth the soul.

Stu

I have found the art of music making therapeutic from both sides of the baton. Both in performing the various ensembles and in directing bands and choirs.


http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Endorphins" target="_blank

http://www.musiced.org.uk/teachers/powe ... /pom4.html" target="_blank

I have on several occasions experienced something similar to a "runners high". I have always believed it was because something about the experience released endorphins, the human body's natural pain killer. The two pieces above support that theory.

stufarris wrote:If you don't mind an amateur piping in, I've found the same thing. I look forward to my weekly meetings of community orchestra and band rehearsals. Even though I'm not that good, I still enjoy the heck out of it. Music really does sooth the soul.

Stu

I'm right there with you. As we speak, I am in the process of getting my trumpet chops back into shape for the start of my community band rehersals in early October. Would I rather play tuba? Why yes! (What's this forum called, anyway?) But barring that, and the recent departure of my euphonium to the West Coast, I am more than happy to lend a hand in the trumpet section, even though I will have to get used to reading in Bb again...

I had a particularly therapeutic evening yesterday. My quintet played an ourdoor gig at a local arts festival. We played all pops, not even my favorite quintet music, but I was so pumped it was after midnight for sleep. It was a deep and refreshing sleep though. Our trombonist has a saying that I like to steal, "I have a great job that feeds my family, but it is music that feeds my soul". Pro or amatuer, young or old, beginner or accomplished, I've heard a variation of that theme all my life. I cannot imagine life without music. We like thinkers are in the minority though, and losing ground.

I have found that practice helps me with some stress reduction. I also have a tremendous "runner's high" after most concerts that makes sense when you stop to think about the endorphin release that must occur when you're making music. I think I will have to steal that line about my job feeding my family while music feeds my soul.

This is a great thread. I have found performing and practicing music to be a very "zen" experience. I've taught martial arts for a number of years, and work out regularly. I've never had a "runners high" from physical activity, but I've experienced being "in the zone" quite frequently. We'd call that mushin, a state of existing in the moment, without troubles or thoughts crowding in and disabling your ability to perform at peak. This is the same feeling I get when practicing or performing. It forces my left brain (fingerings, intonation, rhythm) and right brain (making music, creating art) to cooperate and come together to make music. Now thats a real high.

If magic truly exists, surely it's in music. Not just for the audience, but for the music maker as well.

I fully agree with most of the comments here.

Even just 30 -45 mins of practicing in the garage is really a great mental help.

The Human is a complex inter-related system of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts. One has to work with each one, and all together to be healthy and happy.