Singing through adversity - some ideas for you to try with your whānau

We all share something in common. Everybody goes through tough times, whether small or large. Often we are dealing with something very personal; other times it involves our families, our workplaces, or our communities. Sometimes, whole populations go through something together – such as in times of war, natural disasters, or indeed, a pandemic.

While we all cope with challenges in different ways, many people turn to music. Music has the ability to inspire, motivate, corral, and shore up hope. Whether it’s a particular song that captures the zeitgeist, or putting on a playlist to lift the mood, music has the ability to help acknowledge and affirm ourselves, and make us feel better when we are struggling.

We know this intuitively, and it has also backed by science. Singing has been shown in studies to reduce the stress hormone cortisol, and increase the endorphins - your body's natural pain killers, which can also bring about a feeling of euphoria and general well-being.

Singing for resilience is not new

People across cultures, places and times have used songs to help get them through adverse times. Let’s consider just a couple of examples.

Spirituals (also known as African-American spirituals) are songs created by African American slaves in the USA. The topics of these songs imparted Christian values while also describing the hardships of slavery. They were often intended to spread hope, unity, and faith.

“Every tone was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains.” - Frederick Douglass, a former slave who became one of the leading 19th-century African-American literary and cultural figures.

From protest songs that plea for hope through solidarity and resilience, to songs written for soldiers to sing while marching, to help boost morale; across cultures and times there are countless examples of people using the power of song to boost resilience.

Even pop songs often focus on the theme of getting through adversity. From “I’m still standing” by Elton John, to “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child – people have taken inspiration from such songs about resilience through tough times, to adapt and apply to their own personal situations, whether it be heartbreak or other setbacks. A recurring theme is one of dusting yourself off and getting back out there, no matter what.

Singing for today… ’s tough times

Recently, video has been circulating online of a trumpeter playing “Imagine” by the Beetles – but what’s special about this video is that the trumpeter is playing in quarantined northern Italy, out on his balcony, to lift the spirits of his neighbourhood. This inspired a celebrity-filled Instagram video led by Gal Gadot (the Wonderwoman actress), singing the same song. Why have these videos been so popular? Is it because people love the Beetles? Or is it something deeper, more primal in us that is moved by the sharing of song, to inspire and lift the spirits?

The Italian trumpeter is not the only one to use his skills to give solace and support to his community, in this time of social isolation. Countless videos are becoming viral, of people sharing songs in China, Italy, Dallas in the USA, Spain, Germany, and more. Bono has written a song for the quarantined, and surprisingly, “My Heart Will Go On” has apparently become a “de facto quarantine anthem”.

“There’s just something about that song. It’s from ‘Titanic,’ a movie we’ve all seen and have connections to, and with everything that’s going on, the song is kind of a farfetched analogy about a sinking ship,” Torrent says. About a sinking ship, yes — but also about love in a time of crisis.

What can you do to embrace love in a time of crisis?

With many events and gatherings being cancelled, including those involving singing in a group, it can feel like there aren’t many avenues left to experience the arts or to express yourself.

Here are some simple ideas that you can try at home, or virtually with your friends, family and work colleagues:

• Put on a happy playlist and have a daily dance party in the lounge. Get your kids to help you choose some of their favourite songs.
• Learn a new song that challenges your brain – a new Māori waiata perhaps, or try to learn a classic song with harmonies that the household can sing together, like songs by Simon & Garfunkel, Sonny & Cher, or go for a Motown medley.
• Listen to calming classical music while you work remotely.
• Start your next videoconference team meeting with a waiata! Here is a super easy one to learn.
• Phone a friend – sing a song to them, and invite them to join in. Have a laugh about the initial awkwardness, and just ask them to give it a go. Ask if your older family members or friends might be able to share some songs from their youth with you. Check out the work of this legend from Levin New World.
• Watch some music videos and learn a new dance routine. Never learned the dance to Thriller or Men in Black? Now’s your chance! Sing along while you dance.
• Feeling anxious, blue or just confused? Try my music for solace playlist on Spotify.
• If you’re driving in your car and the weather is good, wind down your window and turn up the volume on a song that makes you happy.
• If your favourite time to sing is Christmas time, then sing Christmas songs. If you live for power ballads, crank up the volume and belt it out. There are no rules on when you can access the music that you need.
• Watch some of the many performances that are now available for free to livestream – from Coldplay and John Legend to Paris Opera, Berliner Philharmoniker, and our own New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
• Write your own song! A parody involving hand washing? A song about supporting each other, with just you and your guitar? Have fun with the process, and don’t worry too much about the outcome. If it turns out well, maybe share it with your friends!

Give music a try, involve those around you, use technology to your favour; and above all else, don’t actually reach out and touch somebody’s hand unless they are in your bubble!