Blue Rhythm’s Post

Are we neglecting mental health in the music industry? Check out this important piece in Music Week from Music Minds Matter head Grace Meadows FRSA on the fight to fix the industry's mental health crisis: Meadows told Music Week. “Many people are freelancers, so you have to be everything that you might otherwise get from a team and that’s exhausting and takes a toll. Then there are the hours the industry demands. A lot of it is night-time orientated and that’s a big thing. We know there are lifestyle factors involved in nurturing mental health and sleep is one of them, as are good nutrition and exercise. But when you’re caught up in an industry that works at pace and you’re constantly trying to find your relevance, stay on top or be ahead of the curve, it’s an intricate balance. I feel very strongly that we have a duty of care as an industry to look after the talent that we have. And in terms of attracting new talent, we want this industry to be an absolute beacon for positive mental health.” https://lnkd.in/eK9q6ynH

At the 1MediaWorld 2024 Global Media Conference, Maurice Bernstein, the Founder & CEO of Giant Step, will lead a session titled "Introduction to Giant Step and the Power of Music in Mental Health." This virtual event is set for March 29, from 9:00 am to 9:30 am US ET. Maurice Bernstein brings over two decades of experience in marketing music and culture on a global scale. His journey began in the late 1980s when he moved to New York, bringing with him a deep understanding of the UK's club culture. This knowledge, combined with America's rich heritage in jazz, funk, soul, and the emerging hip-hop scene, led to the creation of Giant Step. Initially starting as a club, it evolved into a management company, record label, and ultimately an award-winning strategy and marketing agency. Under Bernstein's leadership, Giant Step has become a creative agency specializing in music, known for working with some of the world's top brands. For over 30 years, Giant Step has been a major player in the music and culture scene, having started as an underground club and growing into a global music community and record label that has marketed artists like Daft Punk, Amy Winehouse, Janelle Monáe, and Lady Gaga. Today, Giant Step focuses on creating and activating music initiatives for brands, offering services such as music strategy, concert/event production, product launches, sonic and brand identity, talent buying, music licensing, supervision, and original composition. In this session, Bernstein will discuss the impact of music on mental health and how Giant Step leverages the universal language of music to create powerful marketing strategies that resonate deeply with audiences. Attendees can expect to gain insights into the intersection of music, culture, and mental well-being, exploring how these elements can be integrated to forge strong emotional connections and drive meaningful engagement. #marketing #marketingadvice #music #mentalhealth #musicbusiness #musicindustry #mentalhealthinnovation #marketingstrategies

I'm going to give you the single most effective three-step template I've used to become financially stable as a music teacher: 1. Charging my clients monthly, not hourly I charge my clients on a monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly rate. This allows me to package my services at a higher rate and locks in clients on a long term basis 2. I stopped offering free lessons, instead sending my prospects to an automated newsletter. This is one of the biggest mistakes music teachers continue to make Every time you give a free lesson away, not only are you giving away money, but you are giving away your time, and you'll never stop trying to convince prospects you are worth it Instead, send your prospects to an automated newsletter where they get to know your process, methods and your philosophy Another alternative is to jump on a short 10 minute consultation call with them This way, you position yourself as someone who knows what they're doing, and psychologically, you tell your client you don't need more money. This will increase the likelihood of your prospective client signing up with you, as they realize you are the real deal 3. Focusing on my current community rather than chasing more clients Over the last 5 years, I've retained 75% of my clients as I've built a community where my students know I genuinely care about them. Whilst having 1000 more clients would be nice, I've always felt the more clients I have, the less I have to give to each individual, and eventually my business would just become a pipeline I teach 120 students a year, and every year at least 90 of them will return, and pay for a full year. To me that's more than what I need now, and the stronger the bond I create with my students, the more likely they'll put in a good word about me to their friends and family --- So there you have it. The simplest and most effective template to ensure you become financially stable as a musician. This coming week I'll be sharing a 7 step roadmap I used to turn my music school around from barely making a cent in 2023, to turning over $75000 for the first quarter of 2024, in my newsletter, The Mental Musician. Be sure to subscribe here and I'll send the blueprint for you this week -

"If I can touch just one person's heart with my music, then I'll consider myself fulfilled." This sentiment is echoed by many musicians when asked about the impact they hope to make. Yet, articulating this purpose isn't always easy. I've encountered numerous musicians and music educators who grapple with defining the significance of their work. In my own journey, I spent years uncertain of my purpose. Initially, I was driven by a desire to push the boundaries of acoustic guitar, aiming to revolutionize its creative boundaries, the same way my hero Tommy Emmanuel did. But in retrospect, it was perhaps more ego than innovation that fueled this ambition. It wasn't until a pivotal moment in mid-2023 that I discovered my true "why." Until then, I saw my students as potential musical trailblazers, poised to share their talents with the world. Was it cockiness or innovative genius? Probably 99% cockiness and 1% fake innovative genius on my part. My musical ego got in the way of finding my true calling and the reason why I decided to become a music teacher in the first place. That was, until a key period in mid-2023 that fueled my "why" and completely relayed the foundation for my purpose. Until 2023, I viewed all my students as potential future great musicians who could share their music with the world, as creative pioneers. In mid-July 2023, eight of my long-time students faced unimaginable personal losses in their family, while three others battled the grip of the black dog of depression. These teenagers, at the threshold of life barely just beginning, were suddenly confronted with overwhelming adversity. Amidst their struggles, the intricacies of musical theory and virtuosity faded into insignificance. These students are all teenagers, with their lives barely just beginning, and in the month of July 2023, tragedy after tragedy, setback after setback, life hit them like a locomotive, propelling them backyards down struggle street. For them, our weekly guitar lessons became a lifeline—a tether to normalcy in a world darkened by grief and despair. As I grappled with my own demons of depression and thoughts of suicide, the purpose of music shifted dramatically. It became an escape, and the routine of a weekly guitar lesson became their solace, holding onto a sense of normalcy that was diminishing and darkening with every second of every day. No longer was my goal to mould these young minds into musical prodigies; instead, I realised that music could serve as a beacon of hope—a sanctuary amidst the storm. My role transformed from a teacher to a guide for my students, offering them a portal into a future filled with hope and belief. So now, when I say "If I can touch just one person's heart with my music, then I'll consider myself fulfilled," I know exactly why now. P.S If you enjoyed this story, I have many more stories like this in my newsletter - "The Mental Musician" Go here: 👇

The power of music on our mental health - Learn why https://buff.ly/3QHgEUG #mentalhealth #classicalmusicformentalhealth #mental #musicpower #brainmusic #wkmt #pianolessonsforadults #adultpianolessons

Expectations can be one of the more paradoxical and redundant aspects of being a musician. On one hand, they can set you on a pathway of strong disciplined practice, but on the other, they can set you up for extreme disappointment. I think about all the times that my music teachers put lofty expectations on me, and I wonder, how many times did I successfully meet those expectations. I remember my first jazz lesson where my teacher spent about 10 minutes getting to know me, before listing out everything that is required to be a jazz musician: - Know your 2–5–1 lines (jazz musicians will know what I’m talking about) - Know at least 300 jazz standards from the real book - Practise 4 hours a day — 2 in the morning, 2 at night Before I could even blink, he gave me 15 exercises over the tune “Autumn Leaves” to start practising. I went home that afternoon thinking to myself “am I training to become a jazz musician or am I trying to understand how subatomic particles work?”. Up until that point I had been playing guitar for the best part of 12 years. I’ve sat down and learn different arrangements such as Tommy Emmanuel’s version of Classical Gas, and Andy McKee’s Drifting, but never had I been more intimidated than ever as a musician. I know what some of you are thinking: “this is the way it is, and this is what it takes”. I’m not doubting that for a second. But here’s the thing: there can be only two outcomes when you put insane expectations on a young musician: they eventually lose their passion for music and quit, or they become obsessive with their craft, and inevitably get struck down by the black dog of depression, anxiety, and severe burnout. When I finally opened up to my teacher about how the weight of expectation of being a great musician was contributing to my declining mental health, he changed gears and reassured me that it’s okay to keep things simple, focus on one thing at a time, and not worry about the result. The next lesson we had, he said we were only going to do one thing that day, and that was play songs. No extensive exercise routine, no talk about complicated music concepts, just playing songs I knew with a strong groove. The result, the most fun I had ever had in a lesson! I learnt more that day, than I ever had in the 2 years of lessons I had with my teacher, and all we did that day was play tunes. Remember, starting small and patiently working on your craft goes a long way to moulding you into the musician you will undoubtedly become one day. The difference is, if you lift the weight of expectation, you will also maintain your happiness and mental health at the same time. If this post helped you, you might also enjoy my weekly newsletter: The Mental Musician where I share actionable tips with 200+ musicians on how to build mental strength, resilience, and life skills to thrive in the music industry Go here 👇

Practice self-care using music. The Music4Life Music Medicine Protocol provides an exposure approach that is unique and specialized to each individual. Through this protocol, mental health providers can create a safe environment for individuals to work through emotions while accessing the power of catharsis. With personalized Mood Sequence Formulas and U.S.E (Unlock Suppressed Emotion), clients are able to confront and reduce their fears and anxieties while gaining insight into themselves. Find out how music can help treat phobias, social anxiety disorders and panic disorders: https://lnkd.in/gzb-jw3g #musictherapy #musicmedicine

Mental Health Month - Free Tips, Resources, and Providers - Dance Like a Chicken Day Yes, that's a real day, go figure! Dance Like a Chicken Day isn't just a silly excuse to strut around like our feathered friends; it's also a fantastic way to boost our mental wellness through movement. Studies have shown that dancing, regardless of skill level, can have a positive impact on mental health. When we dance, our brains release endorphins, those magical chemicals that make us feel happier and more relaxed. So, whether you're doing the funky chicken or busting out some chicken-inspired twirls, you're giving your mood a healthy dose of uplift. But it doesn't stop there! Movement, like the flapping and waddling of a chicken dance, can also help reduce stress and anxiety. When we're caught up in the motions of dancing, our minds are temporarily freed from worry and tension. Plus, the social aspect of dancing with friends or family can strengthen bonds and create cherished memories. So, on Dance Like a Chicken Day, let's embrace the joy of movement, cluck our worries away, and strut into a happier, healthier state of mind! While we don't have any "how to dance like a chicken videos, here are two good resources: https://lnkd.in/eUA8N5WZ  https://lnkd.in/eV3XKFaw We at TheAdamProject.org are here for you. Remember, there are 4 ways to find your mental well-being resources (search bar, filters, AI, and phone). Alternatively, if you need to speak with a therapist or seek treatment and don’t have the means to pay for it, please visit our Mental Resources section and enter your zip code to find the nearest free provider. If you prefer to speak with a licensed, master level therapist on an as-needed or regular basis kindly check out www.MindBridge.care.  Subscriptions start at $9.95 per month (no copay) for your entire household.  Please visit us on Instagram @TheAdamProjectOrg and share this with your people. Together, we can make the world a better place! #MentalHealthMonth #Wellbeing #Well-being #DanceLikeAChickenDay #WorkplaceMentalHealth

Music is a key part of the balance of the mind and may be one of the greatest healing factors for our stressed-out brains and minds. But before we look at mental wellbeing, and moreover the health of our brain and the part that music may play, we must look at the evolutionary evidence which places music centrally in the development of our human brain. Why does the brain respond to music and why might music be good for our mental health and wellbeing?