Blog Post
Top 5 Ways To Use Music For Emotional Expression
Donna Maurer • May 11, 2020
Music has always been one of the best ways for people to express themselves. Sometimes words just aren’t enough, and music with words has a way of evoking emotions from deep down, as well as providing us with many benefits to being able to identify feelings in a therapeutic way. Utilizing music for expression is a way to appropriate our own personal response to the way that a song or piece of music can make us feel, and how we want to share that with the world.
Have you ever listened to a song and thought, “That is exactly how I feel at this moment?” Music has a powerful way of reaching us and connecting to our thoughts and feelings. Being able to tap into those emotions is the objective when performing.
There are many ways to use music as a way to express oneself. You can express yourself physically, mentally, and even spiritually. Let’s explore some various ways that you can utilize music in this way and help gain some perspective of your feelings and emotions during these trying times.
Write It All Down
Even if you’re not a songwriter, most people have a basic grasp of the way that a song is written. The typical format in which songs are written often looks like this: Verse 1 / Chorus / Verse 2 / Chorus / Bridge / Chorus. There are some variations to this such as starting with the Chorus first, but we’ll say this is the more standard of songwriting formats.
Children can especially benefit from dealing with tolerating uncomfortable emotions
through writing things down in a diary or journal. Structuring your writing like music can really help to lay all of those emotions out in a truly creative way.
Think of writing as an outlet. Most of us can’t always say how we feel and sometimes writing it down is easier than saying it out loud, and a great way to express yourself. Take a pen to paper or hands to the keyboard and just pour your heart out. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised at what comes out, how creative you are, and how the music just flows.
Keep Listening
Just like how the methods of expression can be vast, it is important to continue to listen to music. There are so many new styles, singers, and musical expressions out there and being made every day. Take as much of it in as possible and find what moves you and speaks to you.
You should analyze the music you listen to and find out the “why” behind liking songs more than others. Ask yourself some questions to understand: Is it the structure? Is it the notes/keys used? What is the most influential part of the song? This can lead to helping you find ways of knowing how you would express yourself in music.
Actually, Play or Sing by Taking Music Lessons
One of the keys to learning more about your preferred style of music for expression is to try taking some music lessons. Music lessons are one of the best ways that you can continually use music as a form of expression because you will be studying it at least once a week. You can choose to take voice lessons or learn to play an instrument. Lessons will help you to learn the language of the music so that you can create expressive performances.
The piano or guitar are great beginner instruments that will allow you to learn some basic music theory while learning how to play. To put any new learner at ease, as trying a new skill can be nerve-wracking, there are numerous online options! For example, Music To Your Home's online piano lessons
can be taught from the comfort of your own home and you can learn how to play chords and progressions as well as creatively express yourself by exploring different methods and styles. Do some research and find songs that you want to play or sing in your lessons that can help you to express yourself - you’ll be able to identify the type of genre or style that not only fits you best but allows you to demonstrate the most creative illustration of your feelings.
Stay Open to Feedback
Emotional expression is one of those things that people don’t like to feel judged on. Receiving constructive criticism is not the same as being judged. Everyone can always improve upon their learning, structuring, and musical interpretations, and it can be very beneficial to hear others’ thoughts on your music and what you are trying to convey. One of the great benefits of music is that it helps us to learn social skills, so young children can learn language patterns and how to talk and relate to others, even on a more empathetic level.
For instance, if you have suffered a loss and want to demonstrate that heartbreak through music, you can play or sing to an audience and reach them about it. Asking for feedback to ensure that you have achieved that outcome is not asking for judgment. You want to be sure that the message you are working to express to your audience was successful. You can only do that by receiving feedback about your performance and how the music was able to portray your emotions.
Forming Habits - Essential to Expression
Working towards something creates habits, and the same goes for musical expression. The more you practice and work on your music, you can create habits that make music as easy as having a conversation where you will be able to express yourself freely.
With hard work and dedication, playing or singing will come freely to you, which will allow you to perform without much thought on the technical aspects, and gives way to more expressiveness in your performances.
When you have worked on those habits and developed them for the music you love and wish to play or sing, then the expression becomes easy. Movements your hands or mouth make will become automatic, and you’ll be able to communicate ideas and connect with your audience. This is the ultimate goal when making music so that you can express emotions with confidence.
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