Heartbeat Song Examples
These four compositions connect heartbeats with original music, time, love, and nature:
Laura’s heartbeat song, Air: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0gAZ2ulv6w&t=23s
This piece of music was created for a dear friend and wonderful therapist who fell ill quickly. Before she passed away her family agreed for medical staff to use a doppler ultrasound to capture her heartbeat.
I went outside to feel the same air on the same day I received the heartbeat recording. I recorded the warm December air moving the leaves around to breathe in the same air and connect. These sounds were looped and layered over her heartbeat with more guitars and light gentle percussion. It was sent back up to her family and friends as a musical thank you, expressing my love from this place to her next.
Jedediah’s heartbeat song, Water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvEbWEyaqcg&t=10s
This piece of music was created for Jedediah who was diagnosed with trisomy 13 in-utero. His mother recorded his ultrasounds. 37 weeks and 3 days into the pregnancy Jedediah’s heart stopped. He was born still the next day. The natural elements used along with guitars are moving water which is a metaphor for life—ever moving. The natural water from Big Rock park was used to connect to the constant movement of fluids in the natural environment we all experienced in-utero. The imagery of my son touching the water is how we connect with our patients—we get down to exactly where they are at that moment, and collaborate.
Charles Jr.’s heartbeat song, Light (fire): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj7eZj9h_Xs
This piece of music was created for a family member’s infant who suffered very unexpected complications afterbirth. He was a twin. I was able to record his heartbeat and breath sounds before he was compassionately extubated. This song is in the key of C major for Charles Jr. The symbol of the sun rising and ocean moving constantly is a reminder that his light will always shine and the love for him will never stop.
Erma’s heartbeat song, Earth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWHdzT-rogo&feature=youtu.be
This piece of music was created for a loving and lovely family. Erma was a mother of many beautiful people. Her heartbeat loop completely informed the rhythmic and melodic motives that were layered over her. I invite you to go outside and take a walk by yourself and breathe in the air, drink some water, soak in the light, and connect with our mother, our earth, our love.