SINGING IN HARMONY TO FIND A NEW TUNE

The following article was written by Matthew Lu, PRO’s youngest board member, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when he was still a teenager. Below, Matthew explores his favorite hack for strengthening his vocal muscles, practicing voice amplification, and endorphin release. 

Parkinson’s disease contributes to the lack of coordination within the body. It is known that Parkinson’s patients deal with Hypophonia, a soft speech due to lack of coordination in the vocal musculature. The power of a song is able to improve Speech and breath control, which impacts individuals with Parkinson’s. Singing with Parkinson’s can be quite the challenging task for the reason that the voice also becomes tremulous.  I noticed it in my voice when singing to Celine Dion. Even though singing can have its challenges (like how my voice isn’t as good as I thought) singing can help improve mood and reduce anxiety and stress. The healing properties within the power of music never ceases to amaze me – how it helps trigger the memory of a patient with dementia and bring back a pleasant memory due to the effect music has on emotions and the brain, for example. 

Singing requires a lot of breath control, vocal modulation and pitch control, which are contributing factors for clear strong speech. Singing and unleashing the power of a song can help improve these functions of vocal musculature. Consistent engagement in vocal exercises holds the transformative potential to significantly amplify both the strength and precision of one’s voice. For individuals grappling with the hurdles of Parkinson’s-induced soft speech, these exercises emerge as an invaluable instrument, fostering heightened vocal volume and crystalline clarity. It is nice to practice these exercises by singing on road trips to transform your journey into an exhilarating odyssey of vocal empowerment by embracing the joyous realm of car karaoke. This dynamic and entertaining approach not only elevates your vocal exercises to new heights but also forges a profound bond with your fellow travelers, turning the road into a harmonious adventure of shared melodies and shared moments.

A myriad of benefits are involved when you harness the neuronal enhancement that singing to your favorite song can unleash. Singing reinforces and strengthens neural plasticity with the help of language processing by the memorization of lyrics pulled from your memory bank. Also, when you sing and listen to your favorite song it requires the comprehension of lyrics. This engagement and exercise of language supports the development of new neural pathways in the brain. Who knew something so fun could be so beneficial!  I overlooked the fact that singing also helps build and strengthen your coordination of various muscles that involve breathing, voice production and forming words. 

The emotional benefits of singing are well-documented. Engaging in musical activities releases endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety—common companions of Parkinson’s. Beyond the physical benefits, singing can uplift spirits and foster a sense of community, connecting individuals with Parkinson’s to a supportive and understanding network.

Remember, singing isn’t about hitting the perfect note; it’s about finding joy in the sound of your own voice. So, take a deep breath, let loose, and let the music move you. You might be surprised at the strength and resilience you discover within.