Music Therapy - Case Study Example

Music Therapy Name Institution Introduction I never had thought it possible to dedicate time just before exercise to consider what it really was that music during exercise did to either boost my workout motivation or make me relax and feel like I would leave the gym. When I had to, it was amazing as I then realized that music was good at stimulating me for more physical activity, influencing me to into more strenuous workout or reducing exercise intensity down to light ones. As a lover of hip-hop music, I went for the tunes that are current hits to see how they would affect my exercise activity. When I had come up with the list from this genre I was enthusiastic to try them out, I realized that not all of them have the same effect on the intensity of exercise considering their tempo. However, they are songs I enjoy listening and even dancing to and I thought that the same dynamism and electrifying energy of the hits would get into the gym. It never was that express. The playlist consisted of the following songs; Schoolboy Q - Man of the Year - 113 BPM Schoolboy Q (2014). Man of the Year. Ravings (Album). USA: Video One Productions. Initial rating= 40 The song is one that stimulated me into medium exercise especially when cycling. It sends some form of waves of motivation into my nerves and, for exercise that requires consistent application of energy like cycling, it was effective. I could revolve the pedals so many times till I run out of gas and when I stop and the song continues to play, I would literary move my body instead out of exhaustion. Due to the speed of the song which is medium, it also served as a good bridge between one exercise activities. It would never let me feel like relaxing for long. This song is therefore good in instilling desire for the next kind of exercise after the first and would easily get one to stay feeling active even when they are exhausted (Physical Education, health, and music, 2013). It preferably will serve me best at the start of my sessions when I am fresh and still full of energy and power. Nicki Minaj - Anaconda - 130 BPM Nicki Minaj (2014). Anaconda. (SD Card). USA: Vibrand Video Productions Initial Rating = 36 This was another song that is best suited for aerobic types of exercise. The rhythm and tone is one that motivates jumping up and down as well as spiraling which is best for aerobics. With its tempo which is consistent, one would not rest until they have exhausted themselves (Influence of music on health and life 2013). Although the lyrics are not as uplifting as would be desirable, the tone and beat make up for a piece that is rewardingly active. It has a club tone and it would definitely get me moving to the beat in a stimulated way. This is would be an ideal song especially fro lover of aerobics who like being vigorous all through to the end of the song because it just gives the required motivation. Iggy Azalea & Rita Ora - Black Widow - 82 BPM Iggy Azalea & Rita Ora (2014). Black Widow (CD). USA: Absolute Motion. Initial Rating = 37 This is a song that will steal attention away from exercise. Black widow is a song that is best suited for less vigorous exercises that have regular breaks since one would want to pause and listen to the inspiration in the lyrics at least once in an interval (Hales, Yudofsky, Gabbard & American Psychiatric Publishing 2008). This includes lifting heavier weights that would have someone push up five times and they get off to listen to the song. It gives an inspirational moment since the song emphasizes lyrics more than the beat. It also gives the calm necessary to psyche as I wait for the next round of exercise. The beat is not arousing as it is produced to be on the background and hence is not an ideal song for those who rely on the beats of a song to pick up motivation for exercise. Hoodie Allen - Show Me What You're Made of - 122 BPM Hoodie Allen (2014). Show Me What You're Made of. (CD). USA: Nomadic Direction Initial Rating = 42 The song has instrumentation that is layered and varies the intensity of tone at a highly stimulating rate. The song is aggressive both in lyrics, beat, rhythm and instrumentation. I would imagine that in the gym the song would get everyone dancing to the tune and hence is supposedly best for those who take part in vigorous and fast exercise such as with acrobats. It supplies the spirit of vigor, energy and power through its aspects of tone and rhythm. Besides, its consistent tempo is ideal for aerobics and when it cedes the tempo a little, can provide the space for picking up of more gas for the following few minutes of activity. It will enchant me watching acrobats perform with this song as the energy would be amazing. Childish Gambino - Sweatpants - 80 BPM Childish Gambino (2014). Sweatpants (CD). USA: 249 Studios Initial Rating = 42 This is a dance hall hit that would also steal concentration and hence would better be played out of the gym. The voice, tone and mood are best for listening and only some mild activity. It also does not have the embellishment that supplies enough vigor for exercise. Instrumentation is plain and the song would best be used in the gym to calm down nerves towards the end of the training session. This is when I do not have energy much enough to keep up the tempo of vigorous music and will enjoy calming down listening to the lyrics of the song that are outstandingly inspiring (Hales, Yudofsky, Gabbard & American Psychiatric Publishing 2008). Will.I.Am, Miley Cyrus, French Montana, Wiz Khalifa & DJ Mustard - Feelin' Myself - 97 BPM Will.I.Am, Miley Cyrus, French Montana, Wiz Khalifa & DJ Mustard (2014) Feelin' Myself. (CD). USA : Textstar Productions The song is an ideal one for exercises that require stimulation that is not consistent. The song has the power which comes through the use of effective pauses that occasion silence which leads to rejuvenation. It is the kind of song that I felt would penetrate the psyche to produce power and vitality to handle exercises that are not extremely fast. It also is a spell-binding kind that would cause one to want to listen to it over and over again. The percussion of the beat is the one that motivates vigor and gets the nerves stiff for hard exercise (Denora & Cambridge University Press 2010). Far East Movement & Riff Raff - The Illest - 71 BPM Far East Movement & Riff Raff (2014). The Illest. (CD). USA : Media Explosion. Initial Rating 37 This is a song that is best for relaxation and possibly good when changing over after exercise. The rhythm is steady, and the projection of the voice is consistent. While I would vouch for it as appropriate for stretches such as in sit-ups and squats, it would best be used for relaxation purposes or when carrying out less strenuous duties such as with domestic chores. The song while is inspiring has no variation of tempo which is necessary for the contraction and relaxation of muscles in exercise (Rolvsjord 2010). However, it is not the best for stand-still relaxation. Major Lazer & Pharrell Williams - Aerosol Can - 128 BPM Major Lazer & Pharrell Williams (2014) Aerosol Can. (CD). USA : Provid Films Initial rating = 41 This is also best used in acrobatic exercises that are vigorous and full of energy. It is percussive and the rap style marked with syncopation. This is necessary for providing the psych and stimulating nerves in readiness for the vigor in strenuous exercise. The tempo however is consistently fast and this renders the song one that would lead to fatigue and boredom (Lopez & Beldia 1993). It does not have stimulus variation that comes from use of tempo that reduces a bit and then picks up pace again. It is not an ideal one for me since it would make me run out of gas before it plays quarter way. Big Sean, Lil Wayne & Jhene Aiko - Beware - 98 BPM Big Sean, Lil Wayne & Jhene Aiko (2014). Beware. (SD Card) USA : Approach Signal Initial Rating = 44 These one is a kind that freshened me up between the cycling and weight lifting intervals. While it has characteristics of syncopation, it also has characteristics of sedation that may make one relax. This is because of the softness of the voices and lyrics that are not as inspiring. Nevertheless, the tempo is varied well though when it slows down, it takes too long to pick pace. This may lead to laziness and slow psyching of nerves (MacDonald Kreutz & Mitchell 2012). The song is therefore best played in between exercise sessions or intervals. Juicy J, Wale & Trey Songz - Bounce It - 140 BPM Juicy J, Wale & Trey Songz (2014). Bounce It. (CD). USA : Video Spark Productions. Initial Rating = 39 This is an extremely fast song with a tempo that is high. The lyrics are inspiring and the voices blend too well with the layering of instrumentation. When it is played with volume that is moderate considering the percussions it has, it stimulates activity and hence can be a good song for those who can keep up pace. The volume is varied with low and high intervals that blend well with the inspiration in the lyrics. The words “fly” and “whine” are so uplifting and got me moving especially when it comes to the running machine. Percussion is so prominent that even with the vigor of the exercise it motivates, you would still hear it (MacDonald Kreutz & Mitchell 2012). Reference MacDonald, R. A. R., Kreutz, G., & Mitchell, L. (2012). Music, health, and wellbeing. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Rolvsjord, R. (2010). Resource-oriented music therapy in mental health care. Gilsum, NH: Barcelona Publishers. Influence of music on health and life. (2013). S.l.: Theclassics Us. BIBLIOGRAPHY Lopez, P. & Beldia, M. (1993). Physical Education Health and Music Iii (worktext)1st Ed. Rex Bookstore, Inc. Physical Education, health, and music. (2013). Rex Bookstore, Inc. DeNora, T., & Cambridge University Press. (2010). Music in everyday life. Cambridge [etc.: Cambridge University Press. Sher, C. (2005). The European real book: The best in contemporary jazz from Europe!. Petaluma, CA: Sher Music Co. Hales, R. E., Yudofsky, S. C., Gabbard, G. O., & American Psychiatric Publishing. (2008). The American Psychiatric Publishing textbook of psychiatry. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub. Read More