“Music, at its essence, is what gives us memories. And the longer a song has existed in our lives, the more memories we have of it.” —Stevie Wonder
Today my dear friend Andrea visited Vernon with the specific plan of starting some music therapy with him. Andrea is a musician and a teacher, and she thought she would start by playing a variety of songs from her laptop, knowing there would be some connecting with the music that goes beyond conversation. I felt like we were teenagers sitting around in someone’s bedroom, listening to music, discussing how we felt about each song as it played. Vernon told us that he used to trade records with his friends in school and also asked Andrea what kind of music she liked.
When we talked about it later, she told me how impressed she was by that. That he was not just experiencing things for himself, but that he was giving back…asking about her interests. She introduced him to The Civil Wars, whom she loves, and Vernon seemed fascinated in the music itself, chatting about the blend of male and female vocals and talking about how the sounds came together. She told me that she noticed how he seemed more tuned into the ensemble of instruments and cadence when the music was new to him and that he would become more nostalgic or talk about how the music made him feel when it was a song he recognized.
He seemed particularly attracted to the bass-lines of songs. It should be no wonder as he played bass when he was a teenager—but as far as I know, he hasn’t picked one up in his adult life. Perhaps its time to bring one in (anyone have a spare?) It might work out well since he has good use of his left arm and only his forearm and fingers are moving on the right.
Then I played Vernon a song I’d discovered shortly after his accident that I knew he would love…as he always had a soft spot for British Psychedelia…
Suddenly, for the first time since his awakening, he began to have an dream about the future. This may seem pretty hair-brained, but to me it was significant because until now, he’s only seemed able to live in the present or the past. He got excited over the idea that he could get together with some other musicians and start playing music like this in public. I reminded him how for years he has talking about getting together with musical friends (he does mess around from time to time on guitar on his own) but never seems to drum up the interest in others. He remembered what I was talking about and said: “No, I know I’ve said that, but its not what I mean. That’s just sitting around jamming. I mean actually playing in front of people on a stage once a week or so!”
Well, okay then. Anyone interested in starting a band at the nursing home with our Vernon? You’d definitely have a captive audience, at any rate.
All this with just a few random songs and some different company. Speaking of company…Vernon loves it more than anything these days. His personality seems to have shifted lately and at least for the time being, an extrovert has emerged. If you want to visit Vernon, bring a couple of favorite songs. He says he loves to exchange tunes.
This post is full of videos, but here is one more that Andrea shared with me that shows what playing a musical instrument does to the brain.
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ive read that one of the last memories to go for people with dementia is the music they loved around age 14. Makes sense to me that it lives within our brain.
Lisa, that’s fascinating! A friend of mine’s mum had dementia and although she couldn’t talk, she could play the piano beautifully…remembering songs she’d played from many years ago.
i`m sure MUSIC will be a way forward Allison ..Vern and grew up with music , the radio was always on for breakfast , dinner , evening meal .. my parents had many “records”, which they played in the lounge on the record player, maybe not our choice!! .. my mums parents listen to classic music and they also played the organ, which Vern and i loved to join in when we visited, and as Vern and i grew up, music could be heard from our bedrooms ..very different music ..but there was always lots of music in our home!!..and still as i write this i have the radio on and in the car i do too, unless Aaaron is in the car then i have his music!!(Vern wouldn`t want to listen to that). i hope Vern has many visitors who will share music with him, who knows instead of Elvis singing and playing in the future it will be Vern and his band!! i think i told you many times his band at school , rehearsed at our home sometimes, and one member was Alex James from the British group Blur ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_James_%28musician%29 )… maybe someone could contact him???
the music you have shared is amazing …. love the ” Fred Perry ” sign on the last video, in one of the photos i have left you, Vern is wearing his black Fred Perry jumper…. always his own style!!
love to you all , big hugs xx
Music is huge in recovery; I can remember hearing the music when I was in my coma, coming out of it, to this day, it still has an impact on me! I listen to Jesus music all the time – it keeps me centered brings the love of Jesus 🙂
One more sweet thing that Vernon said as I left was “Next time you visit, I can play you some of my CDs.” I would love that.
Check out the movie Alive Inside, which will reinforce how healing music can be. You will be so inspired!
i am always on the edge of my seat when I read your posts but especially w/this one! Music (more than anything else for me) can teleport you into a world where all that matters is the sound you hear. And since Vernon seems to be such a music geek, this makes so much sense!!! What a brilliant way to stimulate his progress. This is so exciting!!!
he is really coming along! thank you for your great quotes to lead the posts. prayers…
ps Alison, Aaron wanted me to say uncle Vern got him his first base guitar.. and ofcause he(Aaron) then went to college last year and studied music!!… which i have to say he listens to music all the time and really, really helps him.He wanted you to know music really helps him, and that he loves writing lyrics and jamming with his friends xx