Relaxing Dinner Music

You've worked a long hard day either in an office, at home, or on the road. You drive through busy streets or speeding cars on the highway. You stop at the market for some groceries, swing by the high school to pick up your daughter, drive over to the library to drop off some books, race over to the ball field to pick up your son, then head home.

Time to relax now? No, of course not! You have hungry kids who are demanding an answer that all important question, "What's for dinner?" You send them off to work on their homework while you scramble around trying to make a balanced meal and set the table. Then your spouse walks in the door, also tired and hungry, but gives you a hand getting dinner on the table and calling the kids back to eat.

Everyone's exhausted but still bouncing around with all the "stuff" going on around you. How can you relax a bit to calm your mind and adreneline rush of the day? What can help the family glide into a more peaceful mood?

What if you crave a special meal alone with someone important to you? What can you add to make the time memorable? Or, what if you wish to establish a special tone at mealtime? What about if you wanted to create a certain atmosphere for an international meal? Having some friends over for a dinner and hope to set a comfortable feeling for them? What can even help you digest that delicious food better?

I am suggesting listening to some beautiful dinner music to create the mood of your meal - however you wish it to be!! My fellow Rocket Moms here on Squidoo have created numerous tasty food lenses (webpages) on a huge variety of foods! There are meats, veggies, salads, side dishes, casseroles, desserts galore, and more to help you make a fantastic meal. So, as a professional musician who has performed for many people at banquets, weddings, receptions, and other dinner parties, I decided to contribute by giving suggestions of music you may enjoy listening to during your everyday and special dinners.

Photo thanks to Shellykins2 at Photobucket!

Photo Credit: Photobucket

• Choose music that is in the mood you want to be in at the end of your meal!
• Instrumental music without lyrics may work better if your family or guests want to focus on their conversations more.
• The age span of your family or guests is important to consider. What is relaxing for your teen may not be the same as for Grandpa.
• Consider the purpose of your music when deciding. The reasons that you want dinner music will help you determine the type that would be best.
• If the meal is international or cultural based, choose music with an ethnic flavor.
• If your meal is part of a holiday celebration, then choose some songs of the season, of course!

  ~ Religious holiday? Consider music that is meaningful to your faith.

  ~ Valentine's Day? Turn the lights down low with some romantic music and pucker up! ;)

  ~ Other National Holiday? Share your country's loyalty by playing some patriotic music.

  ~ Etcetera ...

• Think about preferred styles of music along with the favorite artists of your diners when making your selection.
• You may want to consider turning the music down softly in order to make it easier to hear one another in conversations.
• You may want to consider turning the music up if your children are arguing about whose turn it is to do the dishes. Then you can peacefully smile across the table at your spouse without hearing them yell. Just kidding ... uhm ... sort of! :)
• Overall, choose something that fits the style and mood of your guests.

  ~ If they need to relax, choose quiet calming music.

  ~ If it is a celebration, pick upbeat happy music.

  ~ If it is for family, consider all the members tastes (for food and for music!)

Classical music is sometimes thought of for formal occasions only, but it works for everyday situations as well. Besides projecting a relaxing essence, classical music has been proven to have many other benefits to the mind and soul. Numerous studies have researched the effects of this great music! It is believed that music increases brain functions and intelligence! What do you think of that? It's the all-in-one phenomina ~ beautiful listening, brain boosting, and relaxing. Calming music is also thought to assist the body in the digestive process!

Listen to some music! It is healthy for you!

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Imagine ... the tasty aroma of your loved one's favorite meal, the table decorated with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, the room dimly lit by candlelight. So what is missing? Romantic music, of course! Music adds so much to one's emotions and helps bring the senses alive. Play your favorite love songs or songs that have meant something special to your relationship to remind your loved one how much you love them!

So much fun!

Everyone has some special recipes that have been passed down from their parents and grandparents that take them to their cultural roots. When eating one of these favorite meals, why not listen to some music from that country? Create moods of your loved family and cozy home! It can really make one feel soothed, and take one's mind off of the busy day.

What if you like eating food from many cultures or are an "American Mutt" (a delightful blend of ethnic ancestry) as I am? Then have fun with your meals! While preparing a great variety of foods and styles from all over the world, enjoying listening to music from that country! There are some songs and instruments that you immediately know where they are from as soon as you hear them. They have a special ability to almost take you to that place when you listen. Just think of the music you would hear at your favorite ethnic restaurants. These wonderful places create a certain mood with their combination of food, atmosphere, and music. Don't forget to decorate and dress for the culture along with saying a few words in the appropriate language! :)

Does dinner music make a difference in your mood and dining pleasure?