Singing has all the benefits mentioned so far and can also be very helpful in improving speech which has become slurred and unclear as a result of Parkinson’s. Breathing exercises and vocal techniques used when singing can help with:
- sustaining the voice
- increasing and controlling volume
- varying pitch and expression
- improving diction
- controlling vocal speed
- increasing the fluidity of diction
- improving posture.
Not surprisingly there are a growing number of informal singing groups for people with Parkinson’s or other illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s. The opportunity to work on vocal and breathing techniques in an informal setting with people who share similar difficulties can be a valuable social activity and can help with self-confidence and overcoming depression. And you don’t generally need to be able to sing to participate because such groups are not usually choirs and most do not give performances.
Typical singing activities which can help with improving posture, breath work and diction include:
- taking your voice ‘for a walk’ up and down in pitch
- lifting the tongue to the roof of the mouth
- practicing trills (rapid alternation between two adjacent notes of a scale) with lip and tongue
- making different types of sighs
- humming
- echoing tunes
- singing in rounds (one voice starts and others join in one after another until all are singing different parts of the same song at the same time)
- experimenting with a variety of pitch, pace and mood in songs.
Singing techniques have also been used to aid fluidity of speech and combat stuttering: Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) uses song phrases to retrieve speech when this has been lost or weakened. Group singing can give a social outlet and boost self-confidence in people who tend to withdraw socially due to slurred speech and weakening articulation.
Many believe that cognitive function and memory skills also improve in learning and repeating songs, and this can be helpful in dementia, although more research into this is needed. A UK initiative, Singing for the Brain1, found that singing not only helped with memory and emotional well-being, but also improved the patient-carer relationship and provided a varied channel of communication. The project leader also reported that many in the group seemed able to focus their attention and concentrate. As a result, they became less withdrawn and they were amazed at what they could remember.
