There’s just something about music in the summertime. I don’t have to explain how it feels to be in a car, singing a song you love with the windows down. The warm air and blue skies just add something special. And driving a car with the windows down is just one of summer’s many gifts. We also get the sun for a few more precious hours every day. We get more time spent in nature. It feels easier to make plans. To make time for other people and for yourself. It’s the perfect time to be intentional about music.

There are so many easy ways to add music to your life in the summer. And there are a few pursuits that take a little more time or planning, but they can help kickstart good habits for you to carry into every season. These are my four favorites!

1. Come up with a karaoke playlist

Don’t worry, you don’t actually have to go out and do karaoke if that isn’t your thing. But having easy access to the songs you love singing is just plain good for you. And you can start small. Just think of 5 songs you love to sing along to. Take a minute and combine them into a playlist you can easily find. Any time you think of another song you love, take 10 seconds and add that to the list too. It’s very likely you’ll be able to come up with a good chunk of music. Once you have the playlist, you have removed the obstacle of “what should I listen to” that sometimes leads to throwing on a radio station or podcast you don’t care about and zoning out, or listening to nothing at all. There is nothing wrong with some peace and quiet every now and again, but imagine the weather is gorgeous and you’re on your way home from work or school. It’s Friday and you’re in a great mood. Boom. Time for karaoke in the car. And depending on your mood and the playlist you end up with, you may be able to access some of that Friday afternoon feeling any time of day, any day of the week. All you need is some nice weather, your windows down, and your playlist. If you’re simply too busy to make one, you can borrow mine here. (But listen, we’re all different. Maybe not everyone loves the cover of “Holding Out For a Hero” by Imogen Heap’s old electro-pop duo “Frou Frou” as much as I do. So listen at your own discretion.)

2. Support your local music scene

The summer is a great time to do this! As we’ve already said, listening to music in the warm summer air is one of life’s greatest joys. But I’m not the first person to discover this, so no matter where you are, it’s likely there are musicians in your area with shows outside. In Western Massachusetts, we’re particularly lucky to be near amazing venues like Tanglewood or the Treehouse Brewery in Deerfield that put on renowned concert series all summer. To really go all out, check out the calendar of a larger organization like this and pick a date that works for you. You might find an artist you love, or you might find the opportunity to look up some songs by an artist you don’t recognize. And maybe you’ll have a new artist to love by the end of the summer! On a smaller scale, just type “live music near me” into your smart device. You’ll find immediate opportunities to support a local band, musical theater organization, or music school.

3. Make some music of your own

When you were a kid, summer likely meant you had fewer responsibilities and more time to play. Often as adults, we’re trying to re-harness that feeling. We’re trying to go to the beach and spend more time outside, but we sometimes forget how creative we used to be. Even if you don’t consider yourself a “musician” currently, actually making a piece of music is always worth trying. It could just be you earnestly singing along to one of your karaoke songs in the car alone. Maybe you could write a short poem to turn into a song someday. Or make up your own lyrics to an existing song. If you really want to boost your fulfillment, you could go a step or two further. Record a cover. Learn how to play or sing a song from scratch. Obviously, here at Falcetti Music, we have lots of tools to help you learn new songs or even pick up a new instrument. You can come into the store and try out a piano or guitar. You can talk to a music teacher about learning a new song for the summer or writing your own. All that matters is letting go of perfectionism for a second and letting yourself play and create. If you need a bit of inspiration, my current project is learning a movie-accurate version of “The Last Rose of Summer” like Emma in the 2020 Jane Austen adaption to break out at my next family gathering. (If anyone knows the third movement of Mozart’s 12th piano sonata, you may be invited as well.)

4. Listen to an album all the way through
I’m constantly on the hunt for new music. In the summer, I’m listening to music in my daily life just a bit more, and I’m definitely having people over and hanging out more often. And if you know me, you know there’s gonna be some background music no matter what. Even if you’re not constantly connecting your phone to the nearest Bluetooth speaker, listening to an album all the way through is still a fulfilling exercise. It’s so easy, and it deepens your understanding of an artist and helps reshape how you take in music. In an age of short clips, noisy ads, and the ability to instantly skip any sound you don’t want to hear, it’s nice to just slow down. Listen to an album from start to finish the way the artist intended. Just trust them and don’t interrupt.

Some of my current favorites are:
Afro-Harping by Dorothy Ashby - 1968 (dreamy, groovy soul/jazz fusion)

On the Beach by Neil Young - 1974 (laidback, slightly more melancholy folk/rock)

Everybody Loves the Sunshine - 1976 (warm jazz/funk with summery disco vibes)

The Art of Tea by Michael Franks - 1976 (relaxed vocal jazz with a soft, poppy feel)

Aja by Steely Dan - 1977 (timeless jazz/rock album full of summery hit singles)

The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses - 1989 (debut alt/psychedelic rock album)

Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette - 1995 (extremely singable alt/pop rock)

Dots and Loops by Stereolab - 1997 (bossa nova inspired retro-futuristic indie pop)

Is This It by The Strokes - 2001 (debut garage rock revival)

Women in Music Pt. III by HAIM - 2021 (genre-hopping indie pop/soft rock)

Happy listening and happy summer!