Guest Author - Michelle Lee
Singing in the Chinese culture
Chinese are shameless when it comes to singing. We sing when we are alone - in the shower, while doing chores or when we are doing nothing; we sing when we are with friends and family – at dinner parties, karaoke and at home; we sing at large gatherings – birthday parties and weddings; we sing when we are happy and we sing when we are sad.
Singing in the Chinese culture is like dancing in the Latin culture. Little Chinese children are taught to sing as soon as they can speak, and perhaps because Chinese children are encouraged to sing freely from such a young age, singing is one of the very few things that Chinese are not shy to do in front of others. No one is too young or too old to sing, and no voice is too coarse or too piercing for the audience. Everyone that sings will be applauded.
It is not that we don’t appreciate a beautiful voice and a perfect tune, but singing to Chinese is an experience of sharing rather than an individual performance. Whether the singer chooses to sing an old opera song or the latest canto-pop, it is merely a mode of expression. It also allows the singer to express their emotions, which may otherwise be contained. This is particularly beneficial for a reticent race like the Chinese.
How can singing make you happier?
Scientific researches show that when we sing, our brain releases endorphins, the "feel good" chemicals that makes us feel happy. When we sing in a non-judgmental and supportive environment, we can unreservedly express ourselves, leading to greater creativity and confidence. Further, doing activities in a group, in an uninhibited manner helps to improve bonding between the participants.
A survey was carried out to observe the effects of singing on a group of people with Alzheimer's disease. The result shows that after a few sessions of group singing, the patients with Alzheimer’s disease had increased their mental alertness, were able to participate more in group activities, and were able to interact better with others.
Be happy and sing like a Chinese
Now that we know that singing can make you happy and improves bonding, let’s look at how you can do it too.
If you are not ready to sing in front of others yet, do it when you are alone. Choose a list of your favorite songs, play them and sing along. Sing as loud as you like and do not worry about how you sound. Do this while you are driving, cleaning your home or getting ready to go out. You will find that when you sing, you can’t really get stressed or bored. It makes the mundane activities a lot more interesting. After awhile, you will lose your self-consciousness and just enjoy the singing.
When you feel comfortable, get a few supportive friends, or even your family to go to a karaoke and sing your heart out. Just remember that you are there to share and to be happy - nothing else matters.
