|
Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Alzheimer's and music,
Alzheimer's and music,
Page:
1
Spderyak
218 posts
May 31, 2018
9:24 AM
|
I know others here and elsewhere might also play senior centers,hospitals, assisted living places things like that, along with bistros or breweries perhaps as we do.
The other day we played at the "Memory Unit" of a local place. In essence we played a gig knowing that it would be forgotten.
We play blues,jazz, folk stuff ,most anything that strikes our fancy .
Love swing music, it plays nicely on the harp and tends to be from the 1930 and 40's and mostly age appropriate.
The folks loved it, some sang along, some smiled, some would wave to us from time to time in the middle of a song.
One lady was quite ecstatic that she remembered all the words to our songs..
Just wanted to say go for it if you have a chance.
they say music is the last strong hold of the mind.
Alzheimer's is not an on off switch, it seems to vary in degrees, those that could came up and thanked us, asked about the harmonicas, told my wife how much they liked her singing and guitar playing.
We return in about a month I will me most surprised if anyone will know us or that we have been there before.
Yet for the time we actually play they are their old selves once again with smiles and songs.
I will say it's a moving experience...go for it.
|
jbone
2569 posts
Jun 03, 2018
7:28 AM
|
That's a very good thing you are doing. My wife and I have been a duo for 14 years. Friday we played an American Legion hall and got very good response from a good percentage of the audience.
We've yet to hit up retirement communities although we may qualify to live in one beg=fore long. We toured the US last year and circumstances dictated we go to ground for a while at least. Next year we hope to be back on the road until we can't do it any more.
I'm hoping music keeps us young longer. Part of fending off Alzheimer's, I read, is to keep challenging the mind often.
----------
Reverbnation
Facebook
Youtube
|
Sloppy1
21 posts
Jun 03, 2018
2:38 PM
|
I am inter to adv beginner now,but when I was a complete newbie I took a couple lessons from a guy in town. He wanted me to play with him and some other students at the local hospital. I said I dont know how to play yet,he said no problem and come anyway. Well his students were mentally challenged and another one was deaf. I guess I fit in well not being able to play yet. I will say though,the patients we played for had a good time and it was fun.
|
SuperBee
5419 posts
Jun 03, 2018
5:39 PM
|
This is a different facet of the topic but it’s interesting
I don’t know why but I haven’t been able to make functional HTML links on this page for some time so below is just the URL of the article
It is about how don burrows developed dementia but was still able to play music and when he did it brought him back (in those moments) as the person he always was when playing music. The article is a couple years old and I don’t know how he is doing now.
There was also a short (30 minute) tv story featuring James Morrison and Don but that may be harder to find now.
http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-01/music-plays-on-for-jazz-legend-don-burrows/7670598?pfmredir=sm
Last Edited by SuperBee on Jun 04, 2018 10:40 AM
|
Spderyak
220 posts
Jun 04, 2018
5:26 AM
|
jbone, thanks, sounds like we are about the same age, good luck with the touring. Mostly when we play the folks are about 15 yrs older than us, so a lot of common ground with them. Though we don't tour our furthest gig is about 700 miles away and the language is french, so we alternate the verses between french and english when we can, This falls mostly on my wife as she does the majority of the vocals..I have it easy I can play harp in any language..love instrumentals !!
I wanted to mention that sometimes family members are with their mother or father and it means a lot to them to see their loved ones smiling and having fun if only for a short time...if it's a sing along song it's something they can do together and have that bond. I suppose it is "living for the moment" in a very true way.
I know we have a lot of flexibility, that someone who plays professionally for a living might not have
We try to bring professional quality music, but don't have to worry about overhead and what not so in a way it frees us up to take gigs that others might want to do but can't in reality make a go of it.
sloppy.seems like that was quite a unique situation an education in it's own right.
..My teacher is blind. He has been 75 for a few years now.
1st time he gave me my cue as to when to play..he pointed his finger at me..and I sit there like a dog looking at the end of his finger...duh duh duh on my part and he knew it !!
Nice guy glad he didn't give up on me and in truth it was the 1st time I had ever spent any real time with someone who was handicapped in such a way. A learning experience on many levels..
superbee the link doesn't work for me, but I'm thinking it is Don Burrows and about how music touches us in many ways..am I right about that ?
I think I will look it up under his name and see if it's along those lines.
thanks all
Last Edited by Spderyak on Jun 04, 2018 5:55 AM
|
jbone
2572 posts
Jun 04, 2018
6:00 AM
|
I'm with you Spderyak. Wherever we are we try and book dates. We do stuff as far back as Skip James and R. Johnson and Memphis Minnie. As new as Pink Floyd and Bowie. We started out very blues but to please an audience you want to have a bit of variety. We do some country, folk rock, and our original songs are from very blues to more roots rock.
We both sing and my voice was likened to Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong the other night. Jolene is more a soprano but with a depth and growl as well. We complement each other that way. She's the angel and I'm the scrap metal falling down the stairs.
We do all acoustic where it fits but also have small amps and a small p.a. as well. The amplification saves our voices in medium to big rooms.
Being a duo, Jo plays guitar and I get to fill in a lot on harp. I am careful not to overplay since this can end up boring.
If we could book enough dates I would quit doing temp work, as it is I'm out a few days a week getting the ends to meet! Music is when we feel the best in the world. Farmers markets have been a very good place since all ages and social strata are there. We've helped people feel good from toddlers to octagenerians, chefs to homeless people. Hip teens and housewives.
There are relatively few couples who are duos at least where we've been. One thing I noticed especially in California, was that people there use a lot of backing tracks or even a more karaoke machine approach, even out live at restaurants. We on the other hand believe in Raw, Real, Right Now. We play the actual instruments and if you buy a cd it will sound as live and untweaked as possible.
One of the best things about this is when a child or two gets excited by our music and dances around, sometimes with mom or dad in there as well. Seeing people respond in some way- even a bobbing head or a slight bounce in the step, makes this a true plus for us in our own lives.
----------
Reverbnation
Facebook
Youtube
|
Spderyak
222 posts
Jun 04, 2018
7:42 PM
|
Well there you go, a compliment indeed. Everybody loves "Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong"
I head straight for "Mac the Knife" every time, love they way he does it. It's a lot of fun to play and most people recognize it. Good dance-able tune.
I see we have some same mutual concepts about playing.
We try to play with the people not at them.
Get the toes a tappin, people a clapping. Basically I guess we always look for sparks of life in the audience and try to fan the flame if we can.
|
jbone
2575 posts
Jun 04, 2018
9:27 PM
|
"We try to play with the people not at them.
Get the toes a tappin, people a clapping. Basically I guess we always look for sparks of life in the audience and try to fan the flame if we can."
You said a mouthful there! I may take a look at that song.
I booked us back at the American Legion hall early next month. We're going total acoustic next time. One person- who was sitting 10 feet in front of the stage- complained about volume even though we were as low as we could get, so we'll adapt. People can move closer if they want to hear more.
----------
Reverbnation
Facebook
Youtube
|
Spderyak
223 posts
Jun 06, 2018
6:23 AM
|
At least you'll have an idea of how it sounds since it's a return gig.
It's kind of wanting it to be loud enough that people are not starting up conversations or wondering off.
We notice a big difference if people are eating while you play or if we're the entertainment after they eat and their attention is turned to us.
We bring a small PA this year,it helps get our sound off the floor and the voices carry nicely.
(It's a Bose 28lbs).
We bring it even to the smaller venues, esp where people might have problems focusing in general.
by the way I just started looking at your links The youtube didn't work but the reverbnation came up so I'll poke around there a bit. Nice music..and of course seems we share the golden rule..Never step on the Singer...heh heh
|
jbone
2578 posts
Jun 06, 2018
9:00 AM
|
Yes, youtube has gotten hinky. We do have some videos at reverb though.
We have a Yahama Stage Pass, 600w 4 channel p.a. 2 speakers, 2 stands, and all the other stuff. It's about half of the load we carry in and out. I have a small folding dolly and we use big totes to carry the p.a. and amps and miscellaneous. Makes it much easier.
I can sing LOUD so many times the p.a. is not vital. But it makes a difference which songs we do and what harps I use. Acoustic gigs I don't use chromatics or low tuned harps much and I have to try and play a bit louder but not to wreck reeds.
You're right, when food is involved it's better to play more background, later on the more snappy stuff comes out!
---------
Reverbnation
Facebook
Youtube
|
Post a Message
|
