 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2003-05-27 03:05
I had an interesting experience in a hospital the last couple of days. My wife broke her femur, which is in and of itself a long story, but she had her laptop in the room and I brought her a number of CDs to listen to. Almost all of them have been classical recordings and of those the majority were Mozart.
This Saturday, we had Grand Partita playing and an aid walked in to do some things and while working she just stopped to listen to the music. The Adagio was playing and the aid stood motion less to listen. When it finished she asked what it was, so I told her. She asked me to write it down because she said it was the most beautiful music she had ever heard. I asked if she listened to classical and she almost acted surprised that I called it classical. "That's classical, I thought classical was boring", she said.
Over the last two days, we've had several folks just stop by to listen to the music. My wife commented that she missed my practicing, so I brought my clarinet to the hospital and began playing very softly a number of pieces. About halfway through one of them a knock came on the door and a nurse poked her head in. Oops I thought, too loud, but instead the nurse asked if it was all right if she opened the door because the staff at the station was trying to listen. Since I had gained an audience I played k622 2nd mvt. Followed by I think somewhere from West Side Story. I have a fairly limited number of pieces I can play from memory and I'm certainly nowhere competent.
About 20 minutes later nurse showed up and asked if I would be willing to play for a patient in another room. I agreed and played Climb Every Mountain for a very nice lady. They then took me to a room with an elderly gentleman who had his daughter with him. I noticed a USN anchor on his arm so I did a quick Anchors Away. I'm former Navy myself, so I know this one. By that point my clarinet was gurgling, so I begged off and went back to be with my wife.
A bit later my wife's nurse showed up to tell me that the elderly gentleman had spoken to his daughter, the first words he had spoken in over a month to anyone. The daughter caught me in the hallway to thank me with tears in her eyes. I'll never play Carnegie Hall, but who cares. If a hacker like me can make a difference, then just think what you might do.
I'd really suggest that if you want to feel good about playing, try volunteering in a hospital.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-05-27 03:33
"Music hath charms.... (well, you know the rest...)
Great story! Very inspirational and uplifting.
It makes all the practicing and long hours worthwhile.
Thanks for sharing it with us...GBK
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-05-27 05:15
I'd like to add another sincere "Thank You" for sharing that, Rick. And, not only in music, you definitely have a way with words...
A truly moving account of precious time well spent.
I'd like to use this opportunity to wish your wife well. May she heal well and soon.
- ron b -
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2003-05-27 10:48
This is another example of the healing effect of music. You may have already read the book "The Mozart Effect" - but your music certainly doesn't have to be Mozart to begin to heal psychologically and physically. Music can involuntarily retrieve memories of fine times and special occasions, and will often cause debilitated individuals to come around, even for a few minutes. For those of us in the everyday grind of living, we get buffetted by life everyday. To hear precious music is such a privilege and a restorer.
I did research in this as part of my volunteer work as Education Director with our orchestra. I've experienced the healing power of music myself, and with my children. So many have their own experiences to tell if only you jog their memories. Music is often overlooked as a healer, but is as important as gentle touching and friend's understanding listening. Combine this with the necessary medical treatment and you have a powerful force to heal.
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2003-05-27 11:08
Thanks for the nice comments and Ron, I'll pass along your well wishes.
Best
RW
Best
Rick
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-05-27 13:06
Anchors Aweigh is a great piece. Hope they don't change the words to it like they did the Field Artillery. Guess the young kids don't know what "caissons" are. Congrats on your good work.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-05-27 13:17
Excellent.
This is just the sort of thing that music will do.
"Music washes away the dust of every day life.” - Art Blakey
******
I'm fairly sure that my playing would make most bedridden patients feel well enough to go home, unfortunately.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-05-27 14:02
We were able, as a result of special funding provided by our states Special Arts Foundation, to provide a music therapy course for ED students at our school. The course was run by a local musician who had his Masters degree in music therapy and it was amazing to see the positve results his activites brought about in these emotionally challenged students. "Uncontrollable" students would eagerly participate in a variety of rhythmic and vocal activities. Students who had difficulty expressing themselves would respond to creative play. Students who could not concentrate in academic classes, focused their attention for longer time spans and experianced success. His "special" music classes were remarkable in the effect they had on our special needs kids--but, as with many specially funded projects, the "good times" only lasted one year. The teachers name was Hanah Jon Taylor, a local free-style jazz musician with an especially "big heart" for disadvantaged children.
Thanks for sharing your hospital story as well.
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2003-05-27 14:31
Synon:
Just a quick note because I'm off to pick up my wife at the hospital. The daughter didn't tell me what her dad said it could have been something like, "who the heck was that butchering "Anchors Away!"....g But I think a higher power was operating that day because for the last couple of weeks I've had fits with both reeds and a couple of rings that need to be raised and are causing squeeks. I had just gotten a new box of Gonzales reeds, threw a new one on and it played great and the key/pad issue behaved...nary a problem and my luck isn't that good on a great day, so something was going on.. But now that you mention it, they did discharge 15 patients from the unit following my playing...hmmmm
Best
RW
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