Archive | September, 2010

VIDEO: Music Experiential for Couples

By on September 28, 2010 in Music & Wellness

I was In the Den with Dr. Jenn two years ago, and the episode has just recently been released online! Dr. Jenn is a relationship and intimacy doctor, specializing in counseling with individuals, couples, and groups in San Diego.

In this episode, we talked about music therapy and partner toning, as found in Jonathan and Andi Goldman’s book Tantra of Sound: How to Enhance Intimacy with Healing. Partner toning is using the voice to create relaxing vibrations in the body of your loved one. In this episode, you can see how toning fits into the permission-based practice of tantra.

Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXIRDg5gE4k

For more information on In the Den with Dr. Jenn, please visit the website at http://drjennsden.com/.

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Iphone Apps for Music Therapists & Musicians

By on September 21, 2010 in Kat's Musings

Personal news: My car was broken into Saturday night, and my iPod Touch was stolen! Who knew my car would be broken into while I attended a wedding in a town of population <7,500? But, all is well now, and I’m only out $165 for the replacement window plus $230 for the iPod Touch. Not too bad, and I’m guessing they needed that iPod Touch more than I.

On the other hand, the wedding was lovely, and dinner was delicious!

(By the way, at iPod Touch is just like an iPhone without the phone.) I haven’t replaced my iPod Touch yet, but I’m tempted to go for the iPhone. We’ll see what happens! In the meantime, here are some apps (with their respective demonstrations) that I’m looking forward to revisiting:

Everyday Looper (a *must* have!) & White Noise ~ Check out the cat purring sound!

Ocarina – Blow into the iPhone to play this ancient flute

Pocket Bhangra – Play this cool Indian rhythm

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Guest Post: Music Therapy and Drumming, How to Begin Developing a Musical Relationship

By on September 14, 2010 in Drumming

I’m so thankful to Bill Matney for this very thoughtful, informative post. Here what he has to say about developing a relationship with drumming!

I was recently honored to be asked by Kat if I would “guest blog” for her website Rhythm for Good. As someone who is passionate about both percussion and the field of music therapy, I appreciate the opportunity to participate in discussions that include both!

In one of Kat’s recent blogs, she discussed the importance of authenticity, and some simple but important ways to develop relationships with your clients. I am going to dovetail this idea as related to our own musical authenticity, and our musical relationship with percussion.

In the spirit of dialogue, I would like to begin with three rather bold statements.

1. Percussion is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, set of musical instrumentation.
2.   Percussion is the largest and most diverse set of instrumentation.
3. Percussion is, perhaps with exception to the voice, the most utilized interactive instrumentation in the field of music therapy.

If the above is true, then the field of music therapy commonly uses a diverse set of percussion instruments that range from very new to very, very old. Each instrument has a unique history. Many instruments are associated with, and given a role within, unique cultural practices. Each instrument has particular sound qualities. Each instrument has particular techniques that produce those sounds. Each instrument is associated with particular rhythms and particular musical roles that they commonly play. Each instrument has unique qualities that may address functional domain areas within therapy.

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10 Fast Ways To Build Rapport and Uplift Adult Groups

By on September 8, 2010 in Business & Practice

Whether you are facilitating a music and movement session for older adults, corporate team-building, or support groups (cardiac, cancer, Parkinson’s, COPD, chemical dependency, or other), these short, easy tricks will help you build rapport fast while uplifting the participants. A few of these have been influenced by Christine Stevens, Arthur Hull, and Barb Reuer, so many thanks to those who came before us!

I started with 7, and now there are 10! These were written with groups of 30 or less in mind:

1. First and foremost, listen to your clients. This means that you’ll have to create opportunities for the members to share. Whether it’s a check-in, a call for answers to a question, or a pre-group discussion, weave whatever your clients share into the session. If you honor your client, he/she will completely trust you.

2. Learn the name of every single participant in your group.

3. Position yourself as the facilitator. At the beginning of the session, make a lot of pleasant eye contact with each participant, set the intention, and give thanks.

4. Invite everyone to look at each other. After the first music-making piece, invite your group members to turn to their neighbor and say “You’re an AWESOME drummer!” After the second music-making piece, invite the members to applaud their neighbor. I guarantee immediate smiles all around.

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