With a playlist and small speaker by my side, I imagined and told stories to my children before bedtime.  Each night, it was as if I unzipped the ceiling and the walls of their room fell to the earth.  Suddenly, we were in caves fraught with peril, exploring enchanted forests, cornered atop dangerous cliffs or flying through he sky.  Music provided a powerful backdrop that drove the stories in ways we couldn't imagine.  

Try telling your children stories of your own with the help of music and you'll find bedtime is something everyone can look forward to.  When my children had difficulty sleeping some nights, I'd encourage them to dream up their own stories in their minds - which stories became something of a pacifier as they found their way to a place of dreams.  

In many ways, it's like playing charades ... only with music as your cue card and oral storytelling as your performance. 

Basic Storytelling Tips

If you're new to music-inspired storytelling, don't worry, you're not alone.  Here are some tips serve as a guide to help you get started:

1. Relax!  It may feel stressful to think yourself on stage when you're trying to create a story out of thin air.  Don't try to tell the perfect story.  Sometimes silly mistakes are more fun/funny than the story itself.  Don't be afraid to laugh and remember, it's supposed to be fun.  The more relaxed you are, the easier the story will come.

2. Let the Music Guide.  Music is powerful in itself.  Think of music as your storytelling partner and that they're doing 80% of the work.  When listening to music, the human mind is already creating images and feelings on its own.  Your job is not to lead the story, but to follow the music and nudge listeners in a direction.  Most of the work is being done by the listener and the music.

3. Each Song Is a New Story.  Every song represents an opportunity for an entirely new story.  Don't worry about trying to tie one story to another.  Let each song give you and your listeners a glimpse of a story that stands on its own - as though you're reading a page from a much larger epic.

4. Use Body Movement.  When circumstances allow, use body movement to enhance your story.  If you're telling someone a story while standing ... don't be afraid to crouch, duck or point in an imaginary direction.

5. If You See It, They'll Believe It.  The more you see the story in your mind's eye, the more you'll help others see it, too.  You have to see the story to sell it to your listeners.  When you see it, your voice will change, your intonations will mirror your plot lines and your body language will, too.

6. Vary Your Pace and Tone.  As you unravel a story, change the pace of your oration to match the story points.  If something mysterious is happening, alter the pace of your words to mirror mystery.  If something menacing is about to happen, your pace and tone will communicate that feeling as much as the music.

Narrative

In this form your story plays out like a movie and never breaks the 4th wall.  As the storyteller, you are writer, cinematographer, creative director and producer all in one.  People enjoy this format because everyone's personality is different - resulting in very different stories.

Participatory

This form of storytelling invites listeners to contribute to the creation of a story.  At various points in your story, turn the proverbial mic over to your listeners and ask them to make a decision in the course of the story.  This choose-your-own-adventure-style format makes for a highly dynamic and interactive storytelling experience.

I believe in the power of storytelling. Stories open our hearts to a new place, which opens our minds, which often leads to action.

Melinda Gates, 
Cofounder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation