Music & Cortisol Levels

[J G]

I found this comment in another thread. I'd like to follow up with it here.

In my work with preemies the doctors are convinced that the music of the harp lowers cortisol levels (also cited in a study by Wake Forest University Medical Center) and this is vital for the struggling babies.

Does this refer to all human cortisol levels or only for babies?

Also, would anyone mind giving the names of some good harp music CD's that one can easily massage to?

 

[Dllama]

The study showed that it also affected the nurses on doctors on the ward. Music can have lots of influence on healing. In Ayurvedic medicine it is thought that we are made up of webs of sound and vibration as a principle construct of our total being.

There are lots of harp CD's out there and I'll recommend a few I really like as some of them are rather cloying and with the harp that can be very frustrating as it is a sweet enough instrumetn on it's own so I try to avoid those.

My favorite is "Meditations" by Shawna Selline. I think it is the best harp CD for massage. It's great. It really creates a wonderful ambiance without being overbearing. She was also one of my harp teachers and is a great person.

Joel Andrews is an interesting fellow. Plays on a classic harp and does soe really powerful healing work with it. Try "Serenity." He works through all the Chakras with it. It's very beautiful. He has many ninteresting recordings. I saw him perform in Santa Barbara at "The Green Dragon" about 20 years ago and he blew me away.

Paul Baker is a also former harp teacher of mine and is a great person. He has recorded a couple of nice CD's. "The Ladder of the Soul" is good but I also find that I cannot use it as a whole album as it seems like too much so I use a cut or two when the mood hits me in a playlist. But it is very beautiful.

Dean Evenson's son Dudley contributes harp on many of his recordings. The best harp stuff is on "Ocean Dreams" which is beautiful.

My first harp teacher was Deborah Friou and her recording "Harper's Dream" is really beautiful and much loved by us harpists.

Carol Tatum has done some great work with "Angels of Venice" but the harp is just a part of the music and not all of it is suitable for healing sessions but the productions are really great.

I would stay away from Lisa Lynne from the Windam Hills label. I've met her and am fond of her as a person but her compositions never go anywhere and are very unimaginative and repetitive so they can quickly become annoying.

Here is a link to Sylvia Woods website and perhaps the most thorough collection of harp CD's available. I hope you find something you like.

http://www.harpcenter.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?page=SWHC/CTGY/RART

 

[Lauren]

Many thanks for the long and informative post. I know that took some time to write.

I actually am going to be getting these for myself and my clients will be able to benefit.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Joanna Mell - Beside Still Waters

http://www.joannamell.com/theraputic.html

I bought this from Cheryl Chapman while taking the Cancer Massage Class... I love this CD, very relaxing.

I almost bought a few more CD's at the Renaissance festival. They had a harpist there, but I didn't have time to stop at the moment... and she moved around so I never quite got to her again.

I love harp music... an instrument that I wish I learned how to play...

 

[robot_hooker5]

I love harp music... an instrument that I wish I learned how to play...

It's never too late!

 

[shayasaurus]

Many thanks for the long and informative post. I know that took some time to write.

Oh you are so welcome my friend. Happy to help out. This is one of the few subjects I actually know a little something about so it was fun to contribute.

I actually am going to be getting these for myself and my clients will be able to benefit.

Be sure to give Shawna Selline's CD a try. I was thinking about what makes it so effective and I have to say it's the space betwen the notes that makes the difference. Lots of harp players tend to be too busy and overplay, but Shawna really lets the notes hang in the air to great effect creating an amazing ambiance.

I forgot to mention a classic; Alan Stivell's "Renaissance of the Celtic Harp." I think it's safe to say that this recording is the reason many of us play in the first place. It remains one of the very best.

Have fun!

 

[Meganne M]

Thank you for this thread, I haven't played any harp music for awhile, but will have to start using it again now !

Also, this caught my attention as Joanna Mell played her
harp at my wedding, 12 years ago this month !

 

[Alaina]

For cool harp music you can always go with Andreas Vollenweider. He has good compositions and usually has great accompanying musicians.

I've used his album "Down To The Moon" lots of times in bodywork sessions and get frequent compliments.