Was James Brown Right?
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Unsure where to channel your creativity?
Believe a myth that you have no creativity?
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Was James Brown Right?
How Music Inspires Creativity
“Get up off of that thing. Dance and you’ll feel better.” – James Brown.
Better words were never spoken.
Summer, for me, spells music. Where I live, someone strums an instrument every night of the week. Sometimes, I dance along. Sometimes, I hum. Sometimes, I close my eyes, sit back, and take in the tune. Music in any form is a creative release, even for those of us who are tone-deaf with two left feet.
My mom used to love telling a particular story about me. When I was 4 years old and in the church choir, we shook tambourines and sang This Little Light of Mine. I loved it. Prior to our big Sunday debut, my mom sat in the back pew to watch the rehearsal. Slowly, she inched her way forward, curious who was singing extremely loudly and completely off-key.
Spoiler not spoiler—it was me.
My mom was horrified. After the rehearsal, she spoke with the choir director, suggesting I drop out. “Not a chance,” Mrs. Kupsky said. “She’s adorable.” I’m not so sure I was adorable, and I’m not so sure my mom was pleased. But to her credit, she let me debut and never said a word.
I no longer sing in choirs, but I am prone to belting out tunes and dancing to playlists. When my kids were little, I cranked music at the witching hour, hoping dance would prevent meltdowns. It almost always did.
Now, when I’m writing or making art, I dance to release tension. It feels good. I tap into a musician’s inspired work and move to the rhythm of the music. After a dance session, I often discover new artistic expressions: creativity unleashed.
Music inspires. It taps into different realms of creativity. Music can shift perspectives and help a person see new patterns. Channeling sound creates a flow state, freeing moods and releasing grief, trauma, or anger. Expressing oneself through movement can help connect the brain to different parts of the body. It can be profoundly freeing. In many cultures, song and dance are forms of storytelling used to convey emotions and meaning.
You don’t need an excuse to sing or dance. No one needs to see you. Close your eyes, move with the music, and let your body release. See what comes up creatively.
Give it a whirl. Do as James Brown so wisely suggested, “Get up off of that thing. Dance and you’ll feel better.”
Quotes for the Soul!
“Get up off of that thing. Dance and you’ll feel better.”
“I think music is something that can, and should be, used to get you into different things.”
“Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”
“The blues are what I’ve turned to, what has given me inspiration and relief in all the trials of my life.”
Offerings
PRIVATE CLASSES
Contact me if you’re interested in a private or small group creativity class.
WRITING:
creative writing
journaling
personal memoir
essays
parent-child inspo
where to begin?
ART:
art journaling
collage making
(cards, candles, art)
inspiration decks
gelli printing
alcohol inks
Who?
folks looking for creativity
folks wanting direction
family fun
book clubs
friend gatherings
YOU!
Thanks for reading. Creativity is not a command performance, but I hope you’ll stay and become inspired. If you know someone interested in creative endeavors, please forward this on!