THE “HEARTSONG”
METHOD
Music to Uplift, Empower, and Inspire
Engagement with music is one of the most effective ways to reliably produce specific mental and emotional energy within the body. The energy we hold in our bodies directly shapes how we perceive, interpret, and interact with the world around us. Practitioners of the Heartsong Method use developed vocal harmonies and physical movement to deeply fill their sense of Self with specific energy. This is done by building a skillful and practiced connection to the energy of a piece of music that deeply resonates in a specific way for the practitioner. This Spirit Magic practice is especially helpful to use when we know we are about to enter into difficult, frightening, uncomfortable, or uncertain spaces or situations. Through this practice, we can intentionally and replicable will energy into being, and that energy can be physically felt and used by ourselves and those around us.
Below are 3 examples of heart songs In the ministry repertoire. These are all pieces I use often for personal reasons as well as in the ministries “Journey to the Core” Ceremony. I find each of these pieces to be incredibly empowering. While these recordings are years old, I still find them to be good examples of the Heartsong method.
DEVELOPING YOUR OWN HEARTSONGS
Developing a deep bench of your own Heartsongs to call upon is powerful Spirit Magic to have at your disposal. A heart filled with song can do incredible things. . .
Heart Songs come in many shapes, forms, and styles. They can express any kind of emotion and are not simply limited to “positive” messages. Sometimes what you need to connect to is deep sadness, don't shy away from that if that is what your heart needs.
When it comes to learning how to sing your part in any given Heart Song, its best to use a version of the song that already has a primary singer rather than a karaoke version of a song where you must carry the melody. From here spend time developing your own simple, complex, and primary harmonies that you can then sing with the original vocalist. Sing it a bunch of times and try something different each time. Each of these “harmonic attempt” repetitions, (where you genuinely try something new and make your best with whatever comes your way whole heartedly), is known as an enlightenment. Most of these harmonic attempts will be total failures, but every now and then you will find a bit of harmony that feels really good to sing. Collect these building blocks. Then you can start layering them together to create an effective and engaging message that naturally sings from and through you. In the final form, it is suggested you begin by singing an opening portion of the piece in unison, then shift to a simple harmony, followed by a complex harmony, and bring it home with your primary harmony. It has generally taken me anywhere from 50-100 enlightenments to get a decent casting of a heart song in my repertoire
Basic Heartsong Structure
First Verse - Primarily Unison - Used to Unify and Establish Connection
Second Verse - Simple Harmony - Used to Support the Melody and Build Energy
Bridge - Complex Harmony - Used to Enhance the Power of the Melody
Third Verse - Primary Harmony - Used to Emonate Energy and Express a Truth
THE LEVELS OF HARMONY
There are 4 basic levels of harmony that we can create.
Keep in mind that these are general categories and not absolute definitions.
Most things that are sung will likely exist in the gray spaces between categories.
1. Unison
The most basic of harmonies is what is called Unison. This is where the melody or parts of the melody of the song is mirrored directly. Unison can be sung in any octave, but the lowest octave achievable is ideal for this method.
2. Simple Harmony
These harmonies usually rely upon things like long consistent low fundamental notes or simple/consistent moving lines. They are there to add depth and stability to the melody and tend to stay low in the volume mix and harmonic texture. Examples of these kinds of Harmonies are things like pedal tones and 3rd/5th offset harmonies.
3. Complex Harmony
These harmonies are sets of notes that are highly complementary to and tend to share a roughly similar rhythmic structure with the main melody. These types of harmonies add personality, color, and emotion to the music and go as far as to be understood as “Duets” in some cases. They are used to make the emotional story of the piece clearer and more vivid, thus they are in service to the main melody.
4. Primary Harmony
These harmonies ride the line between “Duet” and full blown cover melody or mashup. These types of harmonies often ebb and flow in sonic dominance with the main melody as they explore their own rhythmic, dynamic, harmonic, lyrical, and melodic worlds. They often take the main focus for periods of time to elevate the power of the melody to new and creative heights. Think of your favorite “cover” of a song, these are often examples of people exploring Primary Harmony.
WE HOLD AN OPEN HEARTSONG PRACTICE MOST TUESDAYS FROM 6PM-8PM AT THE MINISTRY SPACE
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84105
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“The Queendom” by Beautiful Chorus
Harmony Sung by Minister Michael Bingham
Observers of the Sky, Cameron Gray
I sing this when I need to have a clear “why”, this is my song that reminds me of what I want my purpose to be and the community I am proud to be a part of. This piece helps me connect into the energy I want to be actively bringing into the world through my actions. To me this song is the brave declaration of the guardians of hope, here to reclaim this world. Filled with its energy I feel deeply aligned and open to the future.
A Message of Courage & Resilience
“My Day Will Come” by James Francies
Harmony Sung by Minister Michael Bingham
Omega and the Will to Rise, Seth McMahon
I sing this when I need to be unshakable. This piece helps me have courage and faith in my skills. It helps me be unafraid to jump, because I know I will pick myself up when I fall. It's an acknowledgment that things will crash down to the ground and that I will have the resilience to stand again. Filled with its energy I have nerves of steel and am ready to give it my all.
A Message of Confidence & Authenticity
“Midnight” by Lianne La Havas
Harmony Sung by Minister Michael Bingham
Cleansing the Self, Cameron Gray
I sing this when I need to block out the noise of the world and center deeply into my sense of Self and Wholeness. This piece helps me tune into my personal sense of harmony. Filled with its energy I am better able to distinguish between what is important to me and what it is I am told should be important to me.