Posted on by Christi

Warm up the Writing with Music

It’s been bitter cold outside, but that doesn’t mean we’re not having a good time around here.

Okay, “a good time” in frigid temperatures is relative. But last Saturday, I really did have fun.

IMG_0273Thanks to Paul August, who is a poet and a collector of many cool things, I came into short-term possession of a portable LP player. Because my husband is also a collector of sorts, I had no shortage of records from which to choose for the player. And, I had an audience of listeners: the writers at Harwood Place retirement center.

Melissa Tydell wrote a great article about pairing music and writing for The Write Practice, in which she says, “Music has the ability to move us—our memories and our imaginations.” That’s what I was hoping for on Saturday–music that would fill the room and stir the minds of the writers at the table.

The exercise was a hit even before we got started. As soon as I set the records out on the table, I heard ooh’s and ahh’s and “Oh, I remember….” The air was electric, but the hour wasn’t without challenges.

All of these folks are probably close to or well over the age of 70. Along with trying to decide which songs from what era they might appreciate, there was the issue of bad acoustics in the room and a hearing loss among a few. I had imagined the faces of each one, considered what I knew of them, and picked out a selection of five songs by singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. We played “Moon River” by Louis Armstrong and “Love Me” by Elvis. Some of the songs worked well, even if the artist wasn’t a favorite among the mix (sorry, Elvis). Other songs fell flat, because they were unfamiliar and the lyrics got lost in a background of too many instruments.

The big hit, though, the song that got them singing and talking (and writing), was “Ragtime Cowboy Joe” by Sons of the Pioneers.

I brought that record with me on a last minute whim, thinking it wouldn’t be half as exciting as the King. But when I held up the cover to show them who we would play next, several of them sat up straight. One person waved his hands in excitement. When I put the needle to the vinyl and turned up the volume, it was fingers tapping, heads swaying, mouths moving. A magical moment….

 

Pens to paper.
A smile on every face.
Including mine.

Talk about fun.

I can’t wait to hear the stories that come of this exercise, even if they have nothing to do with a cowboy or ladies swooning or a trumpet player with an unmistakable voice. You can’t go wrong with music.

What songs get you (or your pen) moving?

10 Replies to “Warm up the Writing with Music”

  1. I’m such a believer in using music to evoke the best writing sessions. Wow, what a surprise on the songs that struck a chord with them. I’m a bit of an oddball when it comes to my choices, I know. I choose moody music from bands many have never heard of (such as Dead Can Dance & The Cocteau Twins), but it suits my historical fantasy settings.

    Fun stuff, Christi! Stay warm and safe – looks like relief from the polar vortex is in sight!

    1. It’s interesting to think about the style of music that drives one story or another. This particular song by the Sons of the Pioneers, I’m not sure if it will feed their stories for next month, but it sure brightened their spirits. That alone does so much for our creativity.

    1. I tried to sneak a photo, but other than being slow with the camera, I didn’t want to interrupt the flow of that moment 🙂 It was perfect.

  3. Sons of the Pioneers were one of my Dad’s favourite bands. I can see the older folks enjoying this song, especially as it is so catchy. What a splendid idea. Music sure can evoke memories and produce ideas for stories. I’d love to hear what came out of this session.

  5. What a FUN post. It reminds me so much of an experience I had this weekend, though you will laugh, since the band isn’t nearly as old as those you mention above. I went to see a Bee Gees tribute band at The University of Arizona with a friend, so I knew the crowd would e older and reserved (At 41, I’m sure I was the youngest one there). The crowd was, indeed reserved. I saw poodle-tight perms in bright white hair, people stiff in their seats, not even tapping their feet (we were ‘shushed’ three times by the silent crowd in front of us because we were singing and clapping). When we moved from our “Gold Circle” seats up to the nosebleed section so we didn’t feel so “stifled,” I looked over and saw the most adorable 70-something man, standing up and dancing to disco music. My heart was filled! (And I guess the put the rowdy ones in the back all the time!) I can only imagine the fun you had; and I think it’s great that you volunteer your time this way. Good for you!

Comments are closed.