The singing voice is the greatest of all musical instruments, with a range and tonal quality that far surpasses any other musical instrument. Studies have shown that memories induced while singing remain forever, while the ability to speak can deteriorate with age, and be destroyed completely by illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. It appears that the part of the brain which processes music is different to that part which processes speech, and while the power of speech may be lost, the ability to remember and enjoy music will always remain.
In addition singing lowers the heart rate, decreases blood pressure, and reduces stress. It has been linked to an enhanced immune system and feelings of well-being, whereas simply listening to music is not.
Seniors who actively sing as part of a choir reported enhanced feelings of relaxation, mood and confidence while singing which carried over into their daily lives. Their voice quality was better and did not age as much as non-singers, they could breathe easier and had improved lung capacity, they had better posture and higher energy levels. In addition these singers on average reported:
• Fewer doctors visits;
• Less eyesight problems;
• Less depression;
• A need for less medication;
• Fewer falls and other injuries.
People with severe dementia are often confused and aggressive when caregivers carry out normal daily tasks such as washing, cleaning teeth, combing hair, dressing. However if the caregiver sings to the patient as they do these tasks, aggression and resistance lessens and disruptive screaming ceases. Furthermore sufferers are also able to perform some of these activities for themselves.
There is considerable research which indicates that people who have lost the ability to speak can recall and articulate words and songs from just the melody. Singing has also been used to recover from slurred speech following a stroke. It is not known what singing does to cause changes in the brains of people who have lost the ability for speech, but something must change. It is like singing has kick-started their brains into action again.
About Me
- Petah Burns
- Petah Burns is one of Australia’s premier singing teachers. A Registered Nurse with practical performance experience in Television, Radio, Cabaret, Music Theatre and Opera both in Australia and overseas, backed up by a considerable array of tertiary qualifications. She is the envy of other lesser qualified and less talented teachers, with many successful students to her credit. Trained in Australia, London and Vienna she brings a holistic approach to teaching. Able to gauge the depth and quality of a new singer, she can then guide them through their vocal technique, repertoire and interpretation of Music Theatre, Opera and Lieder including the appropriate languages. Add to this her experience teaching presentation methods to individuals or groups from the Corporate sphere, as well as her ability to remediate the voices of singers, actors and speakers who have sustained vocal damage. She has lectured at Schauspiel Schule Kraus in Vienna, the University of the Arts in Nagoya, and was Head of Voice and Music Theatre at the Australian Institute of Music.