Neurodiversity in Music: Embracing Creative Differences

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Neurodiversity in Music: Embracing Creative Differences

Neurodevelopmental differences are starting to come to light in society more than ever. Conditions like ADHD, autism, and other learning disabilities aren’t always met with the stigmas and stereotypes they once were. While that’s great news for those dealing with those differences, there are always more ways for people to expand their understanding and acceptance – 

– especially when it comes to music. 

Neurodiverse people often experience the world in different ways. Their differences can help to shape their identity, but they also tend to have unique perspectives on what’s going on around them. 

That sounds pretty great in terms of creativity, right? Neurodiverse individuals are typically incredible problem-solvers and are quick to come up with new ideas. There are already plenty of neurodiverse people within the music industry, so it’s important to see not only how they’re killing it in their careers, but how these creative differences should be celebrated.

A Deeper Understanding

One of the best ways to embrace neurodiversity in the music industry is to understand what it’s all about. For years, the focus was solely on ADHD. It’s still one of the most common conditions to fall under the neurodiverse umbrella. About 2.8% of adults across the globe deal with ADHD, which can cause symptoms like

• Difficulty focusing

• Boredom

• Anxiety

• Fidgeting

• Hyperactivity

If you’re an adult with ADHD, there’s a good chance you weren’t properly diagnosed as a child. That’s a common problem, especially for girls. Some of the common signs can be overlooked or missed because of gender bias or differing disorders and assumptions. Many women today have had to learn how to manage ADHD on their own because they never received a diagnosis or treatment as children. Musician Solage Knowles is one of them. But, plenty of male musicians also deal with the condition, including Adam Levine and Justin Timberlake. 

Obviously, ADHD hasn’t hindered the success of these musicians. But, by understanding what they might have to deal with, it’s easier to develop a newfound respect for how they manage their careers and how things might have played out differently for them if they didn’t have the condition. 

The Benefits of Being “Wired Differently” 

Music and creativity go hand-in-hand. It’s not uncommon for musicians to have to deal with “creative blocks” or a lack of inspiration, which can end up making their careers go stagnant. Neurodiverse artists tend to think differently, so it’s less likely that they’ll run into a creative jam. 

Neurodiversity goes well beyond ADHD. Some of the most common types of neurodivergent conditions include

• Dyslexia

• Autism

• Hyperlexia

• Dyspraxia

Depending on the severity of the condition, artists can use these differences to help themselves stand out. They might look at problems differently and come up with ways to solve them that no one else would consider. That kind of creativity also comes through in everything from interesting lyrics to unique melodies and sounds. 

Many neurodiverse people are also able to recognize what they’re able to do best. They’re often good listeners, which makes them so great at problem-solving, but they’re also innovators that can challenge old ways of doing things. Musicians like Carly Simon, John Lennon, and even Aerosmith’s Joe Perry are and were all neurodivergent, and have been touted as musical geniuses for years. Who knows what The Beatles would have been like without Lennon’s different way of thinking? 

Neurodiversity and Representation

There are several reasons why embracing creative differences in the music industry is important. First, understanding and accepting neurodiverse musicians is a great way to further drop the stigma against these conditions. We’ve named a few familiar neurodivergent artists here, but there are many more – including some who probably haven’t gone public with their conditions. 

It’s easy to see that although their conditions may impact the way they do things, they haven’t impacted the success of these individuals. In fact, their neurodiversity might be a major factor in that success. 

Most importantly, though, neurodivergent artists can use their influence to help others. For example, Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age. She talks about some of her experiences in the forward of the neurodiverse handbook “Creative Differences”, published by Universal. Welch has been wildly successful throughout her career, largely because her sound and her songs are “different” and unique. 

Welch’s willingness to step forward and write about her experiences as a neurodiverse person is huge. Musicians in the spotlight can use their influence and celebrity to boost neurodivergent representation across the world. So many fans (including kids) look up to their favorite artists. How much better would the stereotypes and stigmas around neurodiversity be if children saw their favorite musicians dealing with the same issues? 

Each individual with a neurodivergent condition needs to handle it with a proper diagnosis and management techniques. But, the more we understand the importance of “creative differences” and neurodiversity representation in the music industry, the better the outlook will be for neurodivergent artists in the future.

Neurodiversity in Music: Embracing Creative Differences

Traveling Considerations for Musicians

Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is beginning to wear down and vaccinations are making the rounds, many musicians are taking advantage and hitting the road. Since most artists make a majority of their money on tour, it is important to take this opportunity, but before you hop in the van, proper planning is essential. It’s a new world out there, and you need to do what you can to prepare for everything and keep yourself sane.

If you are planning on taking your music back on the road, then we are here to help. Read on for essential tips for smart packing, planning, and how to stay sharp in body and mind. 

Smart Packing Is Key

If you’re touring the country or taking an international trip, you’ll likely have a lot of outfits and accessories so it is important to plan ahead and make a list so you don’t leave anything behind. The longer you are away, the more luggage you will likely have, but you should keep your most essential items in a breakaway bag, which is a smaller carry-on that you keep with you at all times. You never know when your luggage could be lost by the airline or an issue could happen to your tour bus, so the breakaway bag could be a lifesaver.

In addition to necessary medications and your lucky guitar pick, make sure that you use this extra bag to store your identification. Before you leave, verify that your driver’s license and passport are up to date and keep them on you at all times. It is also a wise idea to keep a copy of the addresses to any hotels and venues on your person at all times so you are never lost when you need it most.

While most musicians will likely pack comfortable clothes or their stage outfits, it is important to keep in mind that not all cultures will appreciate your wardrobe, especially if you are going overseas. For instance, in England, people tend to dress a bit snazzier than we do in the United States, so your sweatpants may not impress them how you’d like. Research your landing spots before you leave and pack accordingly.

Maintain Your Physical And Mental Health

Traveling on the road for a long period can be hard on the mind and body, especially if you have gigs planned daily. Staying healthy is essential. Even though you won’t be in one place for long, you should still make it a habit to eat well. Focus on high-protein foods like nuts and fish that will keep you lean and naturally energized. Exercise is important too. Even if you don’t have access to a gym or equipment, you can still do plenty of exercises with small hand weights or nothing at all, including squats, push-ups, crunches, and many other moves that will get the blood flowing.

While physical health is important, mental strength is just as important when on the road, especially if you are traveling solo. You need to keep your spirits up, so make it a point to call home every day and talk via video chat whenever possible so you can see the people you love like you were there in person. If you are ever feeling down or anxious, utilize technology to get the support that you need. With the touch of a button, you can use a telehealth app to talk to a mental health professional face to face and get the support that you need. 

Even though life on the road can be a blast, do your best to party in moderation. Drinking to excess can be especially dangerous because it can leave you dehydrated, and over time, it can lead to serious ailments, including heart and liver disease. A drink here and there is fine, but if you are thirsty, hydrate with water instead.

Plan Ahead

Before you head out on your trip, you must solidify all of your arrangements and have a contingency plan in place just in case. When it comes to lodging, it is a good idea to call the hotel ahead of time or earlier that day to make sure that your room is still available, so you don’t show up exhausted only to find that there is no longer an open room. If you do find yourself in a hard spot, then consider using an online lodging app like Hostelworld or Couchsurfing, where you can find somewhere else to stay on short notice.

It is also a good idea to verify your bookings before you head to the venue or at least call ahead of time and make sure there aren’t any big changes that require an adjustment on your end. If your pay depends on how many people you get in the door, then you will want to do plenty of promotion the day of the show. You can spread the word by sending press releases to radio stations in the area, and you can buy ads on social media that will get people in that area excited.

If your only source of income while you’re on the road is the cash you earn at your shows, then it is a smart idea to have a second income stream in place, which could be essential if your shows are canceled. Many musicians have side gigs to bring in extra cash that can include anything from giving online music lessons to freelance writing. Consider adding in some side work during your downtime for that financial safety net.

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when you take your musical act on the road, but with the proper preparation, you can have a relaxing and successful trip. Consider the tips above and have a prosperous 2022.

Traveling Considerations for Musicians

Olivia Rodrigo Dominated Pop Streaming in 2021, Beating Adele and Taylor Swift

There were many resounding album releases in 2021, but few dominated the media headlines more than those of three Pop heavyweights: Adele’s “30”, Taylor Swift’s “Red (Taylor’s Version)” and Olivia Rodrigo’s “SOUR”. But which release brought its author the most attention in terms of a growing Spotify fanbase? Music research and analytics platform Viberate looked into the data to settle the dilemma once and for all.

For unbiased results, Viberate examined how many new Spotify followers each artist gained in two weeks following each release (the surrounding hype usually brings in new fans within that time period), and looked at spikes in monthly listeners after the release. To see if the artists have fans among their peers (other artists and festivals), Viberate additionally checked out how many notable social media mentions each artist got throughout the year.

The results show Olivia Rodrigo was the overall winner.

Olivia Rodrigo brought the most attention to her profile, as she gained over 14M new monthly listeners and 969K new followers in just two weeks. Her top-performing track was (and still is) “drivers licence”. It was clocking in almost 800M daily streams at the time of album release and has already amassed 1.2B streams so far.

Taylor Swift placed second with similarly incredible numbers. She gained 11.9M new monthly listeners and 759K new followers in two weeks. “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” was streamed the most, averaging 50M streams per day.

Adele came in third. She gained 7.4M new monthly listeners and 694K new followers in two weeks. “Easy On Me” was streamed the most, with 385M plays at the two-week mark.

All three artists were mentioned on social media by their peers and music festivals a lot, with Taylor Swift being mentioned the most.

What can we learn from all this?

It’s interesting to note how different release strategies impact the streaming numbers. Adele’s biggest leap corresponds to her announcing the album and releasing the “Easy On Me” single, meaning that she brought in the majority of new fans in the promotional period. Taylor Swift released two albums in 2021, so she was omnipresent throughout the year. Her releases were placed on a ton of Spotify playlists (her current reach surpasses 390M Spotify listeners), and the steady growth suggests she’s been successfully converting listeners into fans along the way. Olivia Rodrigo is the Pop newcomer of the year not only because of the industry awards won, but also because her strategic releases (hit single first, album second) increased her Spotify following 50 times over in 2021.

For more data insights such as these, visit Viberate.

Olivia Rodrigo Dominated Pop Streaming in 2021, Beating Adele and Taylor Swift

The Straw: A Singer's Best Friend

Have you ever tried singing through a straw?  Today I introduce you to Voice Therapist extraordinaire, Mary Hanson, who will share why straw exercises are so effective, and how to do them properly.

1.     Let’s start super basic - what does phonation mean?  What is a straw phonation?

 Straw phonation is what it sounds like! Really this means that you are “phonating” (i.e., making sound) through the straw. If you put your straw in water, you can think about it as making bubbles with your voice on. Typically, it’s made with an /u/ sound, like we hear in the word “you”. It’s a great exercise for the casual speaker and the professional singer, alike! 

Straw phonation is part of a group of exercises called “Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises” or “SOVTEs”. Really this means that you have a small opening for the air to escape at the mouth or nose. That small opening creates back pressure, which is super beneficial. 

2.     What are the benefits of straw exercises?

Straw phonation can really be quite magical, and its benefits are endless. However, it really does three main things. It reduces the tension, impact and collision at the level of the vocal cords.  Vibration at our vocal cords can only happen because some of the pressure from our lungs is reflected back once it reaches our lips. When we use straw phonation, we increase the level of back pressure, essentially making the vibration at the vocal cords even more efficient. This efficiency acts as a little massage and reduces vocal fatigue.  

This efficiency also balances the vocal cords in a way that provides extra support for changes in pitch.  Practicing those transitions with a straw can improve flexibility and power of the vocal folds and can translate to when they are not using the straw. That balance also provides singers with the opportunity to expand their range, without tensing as they explore new notes. 

 Lastly, that efficient voicing and balance, gives opportunity to strengthen the vocal cords in a safe way.   

3.     Is there any voice type or condition that should NOT do straw exercises?

There is no one condition, or voice type, that straw phonation is automatically not appropriate for, but the type of exercise that you do, and what you focus on may be different depending on your voice goals! If you are attempting straw phonation and it’s not clicking after a couple minutes of playing with it, and especially if you feel tense or have increased tension with its practice, its best to consult a professional. Straw phonation should only feel beneficial, and a voice professional can walk you through how to best use the tool for your voice! 

4.     Does it matter if you use a glass of water or not - is there a greater benefit each way?

It depends on what your goal is and also the size/shape of your vocal tract! Water will provide more resistance, resulting in increased back pressure. For most, that is beneficial and can help stabilize a tone and create more tension relief. However, for some that can turn a tension relief exercise into a strengthening exercise, and they may not be ready for that yet. I like to trial both with everyone and do what feels best for the person. (*Note from Your Online Singing Coach - I prefer using a glass of water, but it can be messy, so make sure you use a large/tall glass and don’t fill the water too high. ALSO, I have found that glass straws and paper straws don’t work as well as plastic, silicon, and stainless steel).

5.     Does size matter (ha ha) - straw size, that is?

Straw size does matter! In this case, the smaller, the better (generally)! However, that doesn’t mean you should go grab a coffee straw from your favorite locale. A smaller opening means increased back pressure. While this can have more therapeutic benefit for balancing and tension relief, that’s only if you are doing the exercise correctly! It’s generally recommended to start with a larger sized straw and then work your way down to something smaller as you get better at maintaining a clear forward tone and balancing the back pressure from the smaller opening. Its also important to keep your goal in mind, if your goal is purely tension relief, do what feels easy-and that may be a whopping smoothie straw! 

6.     Can you talk us through how to do a straw exercise correctly?

 Straw phonation can look different for various people, as we all have different shaped vocal tracts.  However, there are a few things that we like to think about for “successful” straw phonation. 

The first is lip placement. Its important to ensure that all airflow is going through the straw. You need a good lip seal, but at the same time it’s important to not over-tense the lips, as we want straw phonation to feel open and easy. 

 The next is airflow. You want to take a deep (*low, diaphragmatic) breath and start your voice off gently. You can use a  /u/ sound like in the word “you”. Use a full breath but keep your volume soft. You should have steady airflow flowing through the straw. You can tell you have that good airflow by either feeling for it with your other hand or putting the straw in water (just the tip!) and make sure you see bubbles. Our voices are really just chopped up air! If you don’t see bubbles or feel air, that’s a very clear sign that your phonatory system (your voice box) and your respiratory system (your lungs/air supply) are out of sync. 

 Pick a note in the middle of your speaking range and hold out the note for as long as is comfortable. Don’t go near the end of your breath, as we need the good pressure in the lungs to balance the back pressure from the straw. If you hear the tone sounding wobbly, or feel pressure in the throat, think about the placement of your articulators (i.e. lips, tongue, teeth). Can you adjust them in ways that makes the tone clearer? Feel easier? If you are unable to make the tone feel good and sound stable, don’t push it too much. (*Note from Your Online Singing Coach - pitch glides into a straw in a glass of water 5 minutes at a time delivers incredible bang for your singing buck.  Try it, and I’ll see you when you join the Straw Phonations fan club!)

Mary Hanson is from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and holds a Master’s degree from George Washington University in Speech-Pathology.

Your Online Singing Coach provides live, private online singing lessons and vocal coaching for singers of all levels.

The Straw: A Singer's Best Friend

The Future of Music isn’t in Streaming – It’s Happening on Social Media

The rise of social media has revolutionized the way artists get discovered. Justin Bieber made it thanks to YouTube, Shawn Mendes broke through on Vine, and, more recently, Lil Nas X went from Tik Tok jokester to one of the world’s most streamed artists on Spotify.

Instead of looking for talent the old-fashioned way via local gigs or personal recommendations, labels and promoters are now turning to data. Realizing the need for specialized analytics in the music business, Viberate (co-founded by acclaimed DJ and producer UMEK) has recently announced the newest addition to its platform: a comprehensive social media analytics tool for artists, labels, and other music professionals.

Music pros using them can work with up-to-date information via the Viberate platform, where every artist’s key Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter, and Facebook metrics such as audience demographics, fanbase and engagement growth through time and top-performing posts are rounded up and neatly visualized in a single tool.

UMEK explains: “Social media demands quick action, so we wanted to give the artists and labels managing them a tool that helps them work faster, and more cost-effectively. Our analytics are also connected to each artist’s radio airplay, Spotify, and other music channels, therefore offering a full scope of insights for easier talent discovery and more effective promotion.”

The Viberate platform has already gained the trust of prominent industry names such as Glastonbury and Roskilde festivals, Insomniac Music Group as well as the management team of the world’s most popular DJ, David Guetta. Any artist or music professional who wants to leverage data can start by checking their own stats on Viberate, and work from there.

The Future of Music isn’t in Streaming – It’s Happening on Social Media

How to Topline as a Traditional Singer Songwriter

If you’re a traditional songwriter, you will probably have more traditional habits of writing. Toplining can seem like an entirely new world that is intimidating, especially if you are writing in a new genre, but it’s a great form of songwriting that stretches writing muscles in an interesting way. It is also nice to not have to focus on every aspect of the song and the choices you need to make (if you write melody/lyrics/harmony all together, like many songwriters do). Here are some great steps to help you topline for the first time, as well as things to keep in mind.

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Get Out of Your Funk (No, Not the Genre of Music)

James Brown = good.

A funky riff on a bass guitar = good. 

Being in a musical funk? Not so good. 

No matter how passionate you are about your art, and no matter how talented of a musician you might be, no one is immune to falling into “funks” from time to time. Maybe you just don’t have the motivation to practice. Maybe nothing is inspiring you to write. 

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How to become an influencer and make money?

If they have a significant following and an engaged audience, some influencers can charge a lot of money.

Influencers on Instagram can charge up to $2500 for each post. Even if you’re on the low end of the scale, it’s still a significant sum of money for a single Instagram post.

This is most likely why so many people have chosen become an influencer, earn money on Instagram, and get famous.

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How and why to keep a listening journal (and a template to get you started)

Guest post by Sayana. This article originally appeared on Soundfly’s Flypaper

If you’ve dedicated yourself to learning music, you may be taking courses, watching tutorials, or working with a mentor to practice every day. Every one of those things can be an essential turning point for you, but another key component of learning music that both aspiring and practicing musicians often overlook is active listening.

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Iconic Classics of 90's Rock

The 90s were a decade of rebirth. After the booming economy of the 80s went south, the materialism and capitalism of that decade quickly went in the rearview. The conservatism of the Raegan era ushered a sea change to the liberal Clinton years. In music, the glamour and glitz of synth-pop was stripped down to the raw, dark guitar-based sound of indie and grunge. 

It’s hard to pigeonhole anything about the 90s. There were lots of contrapuntal things happening at the same time in politics, culture, fashion, and the arts. There were some undeniably classic rock songs throughout it all, however. Here are five that are each iconic for different reasons.

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MusicThinkTank Weekly Recap: Hit song narrative structure

• Yael Penn | | DRIVERS LICENSE: A case study on hit song narrative structure
• Juri Kobayashi | Music copyright in China then and now
• Caleb J. Murphy | 6 Work-at-home music jobs that actually pay well
• Mark Knight  | Grassroots music is reaching crisis point, can media be the saviour?

DRIVERS LICENSE: A case study on hit song narrative structure

In any hit, a strategically structured narrative is paramount to leading the listener through the song in a highly engaging, satisfying, and ultimately memorable manner. This video case study uses the Hit Songs Deconstructed methodology to take a deep dive into Drivers License’s the narrative flow.

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Music copyright in China then and now

 If you’ve based your knowledge of music copyright in China on the first thing your Google search came up with without checking more sources, it may be you have perhaps felt suspicious about distributing your music to China. We have now started the process of updating the information on wikipedia. In the meantime, let us give you an overview of the current situation regarding music copyright in China.

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6 Work-at-home music jobs that actually pay well

I’m an introvert. I have to be excited about doing something in order to leave my house. So work-at-home music jobs are a godsend. 

I sit on my butt, make music, and earn a consistent income doing it. 

This post will introduce you to six ways to make money from music without leaving home, all of which I’ve done before. 

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