How I Handle Fear of Flying: Part 2
My Take-Off Playlist
Below I have posted a list of songs that I find to be a good listen for flight take-off. I tried to keep this list more recent, but there are a few throwbacks included.
- Ups & Downs - Ryan Leslie
- This is What You Came For - Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna
- Have a Little More- Vybz Kartel
- I Can - Chronixx
- Unforgettable - French Montana feat. Swae Lee
- To Love & Die - Jhene Aiko
- Sensual Seduction (Sexual Eruption) - Snoop Dogg
- Top Back - T.I.
- Get it Together - Drake Ft. Black Coffee and Jorja Smith
- Wake up - Machel Montano ( or any V13 riddim song)
- Party Hangover Riddim - (Konshens, Vybz Kartel, RDX, Raytid, I-Octane)
- I Hope She Cheats on You with a Basketball Player - Marsha Ambrosius
The songs that I have listed above share a few common qualities in their form. They all open with a lengthy buildup; all of the musical parts of these songs are not heard when they first begin. A new part of the beat, melody or bass is added every two measures or so until around 6-8 measures (or 20,30 or even 60 seconds) into the song when the beat drops. This type of song structure excites the listener, preparing them for the big release or bang of the music. Many of us can recall a time when we were hyped up in the car, club or a sports game after the intro of a favorite song started playing through loud speakers. As soon as the beat dropped, we started dancing, jumping, loosing our minds or whatever we needed to do to release the joy or energy we felt from the music. When flying, I find that pairing this musical structure with the beginning of a flight works well in turning the flying experience into a more welcoming adventure.
Another quality of these songs, are their chord progressions. Most of them have a bluesy and minor sounding ostinato pattern. You will also notice that most of the items in the playlist make strong use of synthesizers.
These songs are my musical preference. I’m sure that others may choose to listen to songs that have a very slow tempo or “sunny” sounding chord progressions. What matters is that the music you choose helps to put you in the right mood that comforts you. Hopefully this playlist could be a start for anyone that is looking for a tool to help them relax when flying or participating in any activity that brings forth anxiety or fear.
Timing Matters
If you use this trick on your next flight, play around with your song of choice to find the right timing for take-off. Here’s an example of my timing for “This is What You Came For”:
Time - Plane Activity
00:00 -The plane is waiting in line for take-off with no more than one plane ahead of it.
00:17-31 -The plane is at the head of the runway and the engine gets loud. I make sure to either pause or speed the music up so that this part of the song and flight match perfectly.
00:46-52 - Hopefully the plane is beginning to lift off the ground.
Also, if you listen carefully, you will hear the sound of an engine in the background between 00:31 and 00:46 seconds. It creates a great effect by adding to the “flight sound” that I mentioned in an earlier post. It even sounds as if the music is what ignites the airplane’s engine.
This may also happen:
1:18- The plane turns to head in the direction of its destined route.
1:48- The plane has leveled back and continues to ascend into higher clouds.
From here on, the rest of the song will continue to do its job. The sky-views and music will pair well.
You can thank me later.
-Jolly
