Last weekend, I and several of my workmates went for a karaoke session. We booked a karaoke room at Nav Karaoke at Plaza Dago and went singing like crazy for about two hours. I quite enjoyed it, it was quite a while since I had a chance to sing my heart out.
Just a little bit disclaimer here: I am not a good singer, but I enjoy singing. Singing for me is the easiest musical thing I can do, since I do not play any musical instrument. Yes, I know how to sound a C-chord with a guitar, and I did my Art lesson back in (junior) high school where I was taught how to play guitar and flute (soprano flute?). But again, singing is my “best” musical thing. And believe me, no, I am not good at it.
But nevertheless, at the karaoke session, I sang like a crazy. Every song that I knew (or at least partially knew, such as just the chorus or just the intro), I sang it out loud. We were only given two microphones, but I sang out loud in every chance I can get.
Several songs chosen (mind you, I forgot most of the titles and perhaps I got the title wrong) in the session were:
- NaFF songs
- a Samsons song
- Dan by Sheila on 7
- Soldier of Fortune (featuring a video of a woman, so unrelated with the song, typical karaoke videos)
- Surti Tejo, Pelangi di Matamu, and another Jamrud song
- Metal vs Dugem (new song?) by Project Pop
- Mars Pembantu and Jablai from the movie Mendadak Dangdut
- Kelakuan si Kucing Garong (I know that this song is so “ndeso” (is the english word “hill-billies” a correct translation for “ndeso”?), but we chose it for the fun aspect)
- I’m Sorry Goodbye by Krisdayanti
- and many others…
For me, the happiness factor of a karaoke comes from the “togetherness”. I was among other eight persons and the atmosphere was relaxing. Everybody laughed and excited knowing what’s next on the list. Everybody didn’t really care if anybody was off key, and if somebody forgot how the song was, everybody were cheering for the person. Everybody sang along familiar songs. For the less familiar ones, if the songs were slow, everybody would raise their hands and wave them left and right just like in a live concert; if the songs were fast, everybody would shake their head and body as if they were enjoying a rock concert. Everybody cheered. After all, it was Friday night!
After the session ended, I felt like I was just having a little jog. Sweat here and there, my heart rate escalated, my breath was intense. So when I managed to got in front of the computer and connected to the Internet, I googled the relationship between singing and health. Quite surprisingly, the results were, at least, interesting.
Singing can reduce stress and pain
An article published in May 2005 edition of Natural Health stated that singing is related to, among other things, decreased stress and pain. The article cited a board-certified music therapist who stated that singing “seems to block a lot of neural pathways that pain travels through”. In my personal experience, singing or humming along songs and moving my body along does relieve my stress. I can forget my weariness for a moment and just enjoying the song.
Singing enhances immunity
Chorus America reported that a research conducted at the University of Frankfurt, Germany, found that singing enhances immunity. The research was done by measuring the level of immunoglobulin A from members of a choir after they sang Mozart’s Requiem. The noticable increase of immunoglobulin A indicated enhanced immunity. The research also compared this finding with other blood samples from the same choir after they only hear the same song. After only hearing the song, the blood samples did not indicate an increase in their immunity system.
Singing “unlocks” the brain
While for seniors, singing also got a new meaning. Yet another finding and research showed that singing will do good for our something-genarian citizens. BBC reported that an English Alzheimer patient was able to recommunicate with his wife after joining a local singing group (which aimed espescially for people with dementia) with his wife. The wife said that after singing, his brain somehow “unlocked”, he started again to communicate with others, and had a “personality change”.
Choirs are, I think, the best form of singing in health-related aspects. The aforementioned findings and researches are found and conducted with choirs or singing groups. I don’t think that singing solo is not that good for health (all that sweats and straightened muscles in a live concert at least gave out that the solo singer is physically active when singing), but choirs do have some advantages. By singing together, with several or more partners, people will be more motivated. Singing in group will also result in some amount harmony, which in turn can make the voice somewhat better and the singing somewhat more enjoyable. Also in choirs, the members are taught to sing not from the mouth or esophagus, but from the chest or even belly. Dr Ben Kim said that making voices from deep inside chest or belly uses diaphragm is good for our lymphatic system, which in turn will promote a healthy immune system.
So sing at every chance you can get even if no one should hear it. You’ve got nothing to lose and quite many to gain: take along your friends and book a karaoke session regularly, or just hum aloud everytime you take a shower or in the bathroom!
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