Music choices...

[hi_my_name_is_michelle]

I'm always open to new kinds of music in what I do, at first I started out with all of the meditation music, i.e. karunesh, kundalini, Yonderboi, Buddha Bar, some massageplanete del mar and a whole very long list of music. I went to one of my client's houses and she would always play her own music, it was R&B i.e. sade, janet jackson, several different artists, but since then (as much as I despise R&B) I've been looking for more music similar to that, that has a sensual undertone, without going overboard and at the same time has a slow rythm that I can work with, but doesn't have too many highs that would throw the client or my rythm off. I've been having a GREAT time using Erotic Lounge (it's a lot of sensual jazz, but it doesn't give the impression of love-making music) and I load it on my ipod.

Basically, I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions in this department to finding some decent music that I could work with and add to my collection.

 

[lemon]

Corban_hands,
Well first of all I don't usually use music with lyrics in it to do massage to because it has a tendency to keep people from truly relaxing (trying to sing along even if only in their mind... LOL) and I don't want to do anything that's going to inhibit their body's own relaxation response.
There are several threads on music and probably even one or two on iPods floating about... here's some I found for you using the board's search feature...

The link below is from the Frequently Asked Questions section you may want to check it out:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458
Music?
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2750
iTunes playlist suggestions:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5030
Does anyone have an iPod? (More about the technology than the music)
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4093
Helpful Hints for New and Not so New MTs:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1489
emusic.com:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5211

Well hopefully you'll find at least one thread helpful!


That being said... I don't know if you ever check out the free music download section of Amazon.com... but I'd be happy to recommend a few that I like to listen to when I am not doing massage.

David C. Johnson - album title: "Songs about you and me"
My favorite track: "In the Night", but "thinking of you" and "Maybe I dream to much" are also good.

A new favorite I recently downloaded from amazon.com is Angelyna Martinez's "What a Wonderful World," it's both familiar and exotic. Reminds me a little bit of the Hawaiian singing legend Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole'.

 

[guy_with_plan]

i've played enigma before, but i'm not sure if that's what you had in mind. i've used ottmar liebert, a flamenco jazz guitatrist. i try to use my alternative choices for clients i perceive as a little more progressive. i tend to use classical for older folks.
i'm an instrumental fan for the most part.

side story: doing an oceanfront hotel call and the gal asks for no music so she can hear the ocean waves. sure the the sun rises, the dj on the pooldeck starts his next set (which i knew and dreaded) and heads into a rousing version of "it's 5o'clock somewhere" (buffet maybe?) client starts to sing t100
not very well, may i add.

oh, and welcome to the boards t006
it's good to have another guy here
(if that's you in your avatar)

p.s. Great Sig t023

 

[Muse to my Ears]

I had a guy come for a massage a few months back that didn't like "voodooey hoodooey" music. His words not mine...lol. He just wasn't into meditational music at all. Big ole' country boy this one is. He decided he wanted me to play Merle Haggard while he was getting his massage. OMG!! It was so funny! Wasn't too awful bad on the slow crying in your beer songs but when it hit the ones for two steppin' my petrissage automatically started two steppin' too. I told him never ever ever again. The fact that I can't stand country music unless I'm drunk aside, it was awful. Totally threw me off my game. He enjoyed it alot. Just no accounting for some people's taste or what they find relaxing. I still laugh whenever I think about that Haggard massage t046. At one point I had thought about telling clients to feel free to bring in their own CDs so they could have music that they like to relax to and let it be their choice not mine. Uh uh...no way t018. Definitely rethought that idea after that experience t101

 

[Darin]

side story: doing an oceanfront hotel call and the gal asks for no music so she can hear the ocean waves. sure the the sun rises, the dj on the pooldeck starts his next set (which i knew and dreaded) and heads into a rousing version of "it's 5o'clock somewhere" (buffet maybe?) client starts to sing t100
not very well, may i add.

"It's 5 o'clock Somewhere" is sang by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet.

t034 "...I ain't had a day off now in over a year. Our Jamaican Vacation's gonna start right here..."t035

 

[blackroses4uever]

LOL, i've seen people watch the news, soap operas and even listen to pure rock "Lead Zepp" during the massage.... very interesting experience, I didn't know whether to headbang, handbang, or just try to ignore it.

Yea I've tried putting on different kinds of music for different people... OMG this one lady insisted on listening to "Phantom of the Opera".... on her piano... I damn near gagged throughout the massage, I just couldn't keep a relaxing rythm for squat, after a while she had to admit that I had a better rythm with my own music, though she couldn't stand it sometimes and the POTO can be disturbing. That was ok though, cuz I was seeing her twice a week.... for 90 minute sessions each time.

And yes that is me in the pic, and thanx for the welcome, it's great to be here.... LOL @ the sig

 

[autobot032]

Don't know about Phantom of the Opera, there are a couple songs from it that done on piano might not be too bad.
But I have some instrumental versions of tracks from Les Miserables that are done on piano and are actually quite good. And this admission from someone who is not generally fond of solo piano music!
Yes, Amazon.com free downloads strike again. :
Try George Davidson, my favorite track is "Bring Him Home..."
I also like his original composition, "Rebecca's Rain." But there's many samples of his work there at Amazon.com if you're looking for some solo piano tracks.

 

[A Modest Proposer]

I was kind of trying to branch out with music as well, and started to look into some soft jazz. I found this great guitarist, Earl Klugh the album is called Naked Guitar. It is perfect for massage, but isn't that new agey stuff. I downloaded if off of emusic.com. Which I highly recommend. Another one I got off of emusic is Miles Davis the album is "Plays for Lovers." It is wonderful! I will let you know if I find anymore.
Gina

 

[SK_Serpent]

I am a sucker for native american flutes. So earthy and haunting. Love it. I got a cd a few years ago when i was testing out new age music for massage - I cant remeber who put the cd out but it was called Indigo Spirit I think. More tech kind of sound. I played it for my friends when i gave them massages, they loved it and the beats/rythms could be downright hypnotizing, it had some vocals. I dont think my mainstream client would get into it. I still love it and pull it out once inawhile for friends.

 

[Maria G]

I put together a cd of modern guitar music that is not too lively. It has Stevie Ray Vaughn, Riviera Paradise, Little Wing, Lenny, Brian Setzer, Sleepwalk, a couple by Danny Gatton, Los Straitjackets, Morphine, and The Allmann Brothers. My clients love it. it runs 63 minutes, so I have learned how much time I have left in the hour by what song is playing. It has 12 songs on it, and I am currently searching for 12 more to make another one.

 

[Icegoat]

I'm with DoriKaters on the Native American flutes! I have 3 cd's now of flute music that is just beautiful! I have some natures sounds cd's that include piano, harp and guitar, and some piano music, too. For those who prefer it, I have a Thundering Rainstorm cd. I like it, but I prefer to work to music. One client puts on her Yanni cd, and I enjoy that, too. At Christmastime I got a 2 cd set of Relaxing Christmas Music that is all instrumental and very nice.

Okay, I just love music, lol. But of all the cd's I love, I love the Native American flute music the best! And of that, I think I love the pan flute the VERY best. :

 

[e l i z a ?]

Music choices...

...I've been looking for more music similar to that, that has a sensual undertone, without going overboard and at the same time has a slow rythm that I can work with, but doesn't have too many highs that would throw the client or my rythm off. I've been having a GREAT time using Erotic Lounge (it's a lot of sensual jazz, but it doesn't give the impression of love-making music) and I load it on my ipod...

Nice langorous rythm, sensual but not too overtly sexual, and jazz? Nothing fits the bill like Chet Baker. His singing is just as relaxed and smooth as his trumpet, but there are plenty of cuts that are either or both (in case you want instrumental only). Clients who know better appreciate all the old standards; clients who don't still love it (and become converts). Even better, iTunes has a nice short list of some of his best work waiting for you. Choose a couple and add to your mix.
t020
Normally I avoid any vocals or chanting in my picks, but the Old Jazz lovers seem to be quite used to relaxing without feeling the need to sing along, and it works.

There's one client who always has modern "lite" jazz on the XM for me to work to at his house...shudder...boy am I glad to get back in my car and cleanse my ears. Honestly don't know how this stuff sells, and it's awful to work to, worse than Top 40.

 

[neale]

I have a friend who listens to Elvis when I work on her! She says it's relaxing so whatever! I'm looking for more music too, a never ending quest you could say. I'm trying to go outside the massage box. I love all the new-agey massage music but after a while it starts to sound all the same! I'm looking for some music with a celtic flair. I did come across a cd on amazon.com called Afterglow. It's beautiful! It's on my "To Get" list.

Steph!

 

[Valarie]

Afterglow...YES, YES, YES, YES, YES!! This will quickly become your "go-to" music.

I've been using this from day one (it's not quite an hour so I remixed and burned it--now it's on iPod--to be 95 minutes) and though I listen to it nearly every day, I still love working to it and can put it on and be perfectly content even after four sessions of the same music. Clients of every age, sex, and background love it, too. Great for first-timers. Be prepared for clients to ask where they can buy their own copy.

I was really shocked on the other music thread that nobody had mentioned Afterglow, especially when so many discs need to be edited....this one just needs to be longer.

 

[wakeuphappy]

in my haste...

Salemrose, Elvis recorded an extensive catalog of gospel. The client you mentioned may enjoy this and I am surprised she hasn't asked for it already...the great majority of it is very soothing and at a tempo that is perfect for bodywork. If someone takes offense at old classics like "Amazing Grace", then obviously this may not be a good choice. But if they like Elvis then surely they are familiar with his work with the Jordanaires backing him up. Elvis' vocal phrasing and singing style is beautifully suited for this genre. Sample a few and see what you think. I'm not a huge Elvis fan and I really don't care for gospel, but the two together are magically soothing.

 

[Super Jesus]

in my haste...

Salemrose, Elvis recorded an extensive catalog of gospel. The client you mentioned may enjoy this and I am surprised she hasn't asked for it already....

She's not an actual paying client. Its a close friend of mine, the massages are done in here home. I'm not sure what disc she listens to but it's from her own collection. But ya know, I don't find it surprising that people would want to listen to Elvis and other types of music not typically associated with massage. While massage music is created to harmonize with the work we do, clients often feel soothed and relaxed by music that they have grown to love. Their music, while it may drive us nuts, may have emotional ties to our clients lives. As long as it's not gangster rap I'm open to just about anything if it really will help my client make the most of their massage!

And about Afterglow, it's beautiful! Did I say that? I fell in love with it just from the little sound bytes at amazon.com! I know it's a little short but I was planning on burning it and making it last longer. It wouldn't be a problem if our cd players at work had the repeat option. For some reasone the boss did look for this feature, surprising since she is a MT. Anyway, I like to burn all my massage cds. Then if a copy gets ruined at work (oil on it, scratched, co-workers) I can whip up a new copy at home without having to dish out more money!

Steph!

 

[Matt]

Steph, you can usually find a copy of "Afterglow" at Barnes & Noble. Save the shipping, feed your impatience, etc etc. ! It's okay on repeat, but since you remix it anyway (smart move) you might make it longer...if memory serves, it's only 40-some minutes. Then the start/end tracks, which are very similar, don't bump up on each other and the fade-out sound like dead space. NOBODY has ever noticed that some of the tracks repeat on my copy.

I'll work to about anything, too, but find much of the marketed "massage music" is just too woo-woo.

My husband teases me about playing gospel Elvis and Jack Johnson in the car when traffic is bad (keeps the blood pressure down.) He only knew Rock-n-Roll Elvis!

 

[ASIANESE]

I'll work to about anything, too, but find much of the marketed "massage music" is just too woo-woo.

I know what you mean. I tend to avoid nature music, especially music with waves, waterfalls, streams.....any type of moving water....makes me wanna pee! I know it's supposed to be relaxing but it's not good for me, especially if I don't have time to get to the restroom before the massage! LOL

I tend to lean in, what I consider, 2 different directions, at least in my own personal tastes. I like Indian/Egyptian music, it gives a warm feel to my work....at least in my own head! And then there is Celtic music which I consider to be cool and fresh. I love it for this time of year! I'm having a hard time finding Celtic music that's appropriate for massage. Any tips are always welcome!

Steph!

 

[Google Help]

Music choices...

There's one client who always has modern "lite" jazz on the XM for me to work to at his house...shudder...boy am I glad to get back in my car and cleanse my ears. Honestly don't know how this stuff sells, and it's awful to work to, worse than Top 40.

i don't have XM, but i have used smooth jazz consistantly for years~ always instrumental (if that's what modern lite jazz is)

maybe it 'plays' better in certain geographical locations. i seem to associate it with warm summer days, which is easy considering i work and live within blocks of the beach.

on another note, i prefer not to discuss religion or politics during a massage; hence, i would probably not play anything hymnal or even certain holiday music. i think that's also because i have strict jewish, christian, muslim, and pagan clients.

interesting discussion.

 

[Monsieur Rick]

Music choices...

...on another note, i prefer not to discuss religion or politics during a massage; hence, i would probably not play anything hymnal or even certain holiday music. i think that's also because i have strict jewish, christian, muslim, and pagan clients...

Yes, me too. That's why I suggested Steph feel out her friend/client first (there was a disclaimer involved). The only exception is I do put up tiny white lights wrapped in a grapevine garland during December, and that's never been a cause for anything except compliments--that month being important to several religions. But nothing t114 -ish! I keep low-key Christmas music in a playlist those who request it. Otherwise, BAU.