Music therapy for better sleep and stress relief … in a Canto-pop song? Jocelyn Chan explains her use of tuning forks in Sound of Silence and the theory behind it
- Hong Kong singer-songwriter Jocelyn Chan developed an interest in natural healing after developing insomnia and anxiety while studying overseas
- Music therapy and breathing techniques helped her get a good night’s rest, and now she wants to help others get the same through her music
Do tuning forks have any place in a pop song? Yes, says Hong Kong singer-songwriter Jocelyn Chan Ming-hei – her song Sound of Silence, which recently topped city public broadcaster RTHK’s pop song rankings, is filled with soothing vibes from the unexpected instrument. The music video, released in July, has more than 320,000 views on YouTube.
Chan co-composed the hit with Hong Kong singer Cousin Fung after she earned an online qualification as a tuning forks therapy practitioner from the Sound Healing Academy in Cornwall in the UK. The song was developed to help people sleep better.
“It’s the first song in the history of Canto-pop to have music therapy elements,” Chan says, adding she plans to release an album with six such songs next year.
“For around three months at university, I couldn’t fall asleep until 6am … due to anxiety. I was trapped, looping self-critical thoughts in my head. I started to learn about natural therapy, which includes music therapy. It – and breathing exercises – helped lessen my insomnia.”
