For many, Thanksgiving music isn't quite the same as the music of some other holidays. For example, there are countless Christmas songs that are sung all over the world in different languages. Many musicians release Christmas albums that have both familiar and new Christmas tunes, thus adding to the Christmas music library every year. The music of Thanksgiving isn't so well defined, but there's definitely a place for music in your Thanksgiving celebration.
Setting the MoodMusic is a great way to set a desired mood for a certain situation. You may want to use music during your Thanksgiving dinner to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. You can create a Thanksgiving playlist on your mp3 player, burn a CD of your Thanksgiving selections, or tune in to an easy-listening radio station. Use soft-sounding and even-paced music. Avoid using harsh music, or music that changes tempo frequently, because it can be distracting. Finally, keep the volume relatively low, so that conversation around the dinner table can flow freely without interruption.
Here are some ideas for your Thanksgiving playlist:
Photo by emailrober, sxc.hu
- There are several variations of jazz, many of which are great for helping create a nice dinner atmosphere. Cool jazz might be your best jazz option. Artists like Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck produced smooth and relaxing sounds, perfect for a nice atmosphere. You might want to stay away from bebop or free jazz, as they are extremely dissonant and unevenly paced.
Softer pop, acoustic, and rock - There are many softer contemporary artists to choose from. Sarah McLachlan and Sondre Lerche, for example, both have bright but soft-sounding music.
You probably have some great pop music in your collection already. Look through your music and preview some songs to help you create your playlist.
Classical - There are many wonderful classical composers and artists for you to choose from. Well known composers, such as Mozart and Johann Sebastian Bach, have many compositions that would fit well with your Thanksgiving mood. Operatic singers like Andrea Bocelli are another great option. Once again, avoid harsh or fast-paced compositions.
MiscellaneousHere are a few more Thanksgiving Day playlist ideas:
- The Windham Hill record label put out a Thanksgiving compilation album called Thanksgiving: A Windham Hill Collection.
- George Winston covered "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving", along with several other Vince Guaraldi compositions on his album Linus and Lucy: The Music of Vince Guaraldi.
- "Thanksgiving Day" by Ray Davies of The Kinks
- "The Thanksgiving Song" by The Ridler Brothers
- "A House is Not a Home" by Luther Vandross
- "Thanksgiving Song" by Mary Chapin Carpenter
- "The Thanksgiving Song" by Fred Holstein
- "Alice's Restaurant" by Arlo Guthrie
Self-Composition
Many people put on Thanksgiving performances. If you play an instrument or sing, Thanksgiving might be a fun opportunity for you to come up with your own Thanksgiving composition. You could write a song about the things you are thankful for and then share it with your friends and family on Thanksgiving Day. You could even put together a Thanksgiving musical.