Archive | October, 2010

You are special, and I want to hear your opinion.

By on October 26, 2010 in Kids

On my Facebook and Twitter pages, I sent out a survey, and guess what I found out: Half of the voters would like to see more personal experience stories as a music therapist here at Rhythm For Good. Group drumming ideas in various formats (written content, videos, products, and recommendations) came in a close second place.

Have an opinion? I’d love to hear your thoughts. What more would you like to see on Rhythm For Good? Here’s the survey.

In the spirit of sharing personal experiences as a music therapist, this video is in reply to Michelle Erfurt’s latest post. This is one of my go-to songs for family bonding with kids. I’ve used it with pediatrics, kids who have special needs, and baby/toddler music groups. I think it comes from Sesame Street, but I first learned it from Dianne Gregory.

You can download the lyrics and chords here. What’s a song that makes you or your loved ones feel special?

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Guest Post: Rhythmic Relationships, 3 Facets of Interactive Rhythm Making

By on October 19, 2010 in Drumming

I’m honored to have master rhythm maker and fellow Atlantan (before I became a San Diegan) Dave Holland post today! Here’s what he has to share:

Let’s face it, if you’re a music therapist, drum circle facilitator, or music educator, there’s a lot to consider everyday: lesson plans, scheduling, billing, marketing, individual practice, logistics, instruments, etc. But at the end of that long ‘to do’ list, there’s one truth about what we do that continues to surface for me – that we are in the relationship business.

The simple equation I use to create successful rhythm making sessions through relationships is this:

ME + YOU = WEEEE!!! Here’s the break down…

ME – This is the relationship a participant has with his/her self and the instrument they are playing. As a facilitator, we can quickly put a new rhythm maker at ease with the following steps:

  • Create a welcoming environment by greeting each participant personally and inviting them to choice from a variety of instruments.
  • Make participants feel Included by acknowledging their presence (& presents!) in the circle and their choice of instrument and/or rhythm.
  • Create a safe environment for self expression by reminding participants that there are ‘no mistakes’, suggesting safety tips (removing rings, etc.) and modeling instrument playing techniques.

YOU – This is the relationship a participant has with one other person in the group. These single links are essential to building a strong rhythm chain! Here are some steps to facilitating these ‘one on one’ interactions: Continue Reading →

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VIDEO REVIEW: Adaptive Accessory for Drumming~ the Mallet Cuff

By on October 12, 2010 in Drumming, Kids, Older Adults

My all-time favorite adaptive accessory for drumming is (drum roll…) the MALLET CUFF. If you are drumming with older adults or special populations, then you gotta get a few of these. Check out my review in this two minute video, and you’ll be rewarded with a fun musical number via piano and drum at the end ;) ~

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Before Your Music Therapy Session or Drum Along with Older Adults Make *Sure*…

By on October 5, 2010 in Older Adults

One of my subscribers Marilyn of Blonds Drum 2 asked me about her older adults group yesterday: “Since there are only about 20-25 in the group, we wonder if we need the amp. Do you use one for your guitar and singing? Headset or mic?” Perfect timing for this question because I’ve been writing this blog post for the past few days!

11 Reasons Why Drums Work with older adults has gotten more page views than almost any other post, so I thought I’d piggy back the idea with some practical tips.

Most of these bullets points are meant for assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care communities. Tips for providing music therapy or drumming for independent living communities are different. Before you even step *foot* inside the older adults community to provide music therapy or drum, make sure that you…

1. Find out the purpose of your session. Why are you there? Be absolutely clear with the program director that you understand the purpose of your session. Here are some possibilities: one-time celebration, life engagement & wellness, themed or seasonal event, provide sense of community, recreational activity. Music therapists may be there to reduce pain, decrease isolation, anxiety, and depression, co-treat with other therapists, address psychosocial needs, or more. If you’re getting paid, make sure there is a written agreement between you and the community that clarifies details.

2. Find out the demographics and size of the group. Is it a diverse group? How many participants will there be? Are they all older or are some residents in their 20s, 30s, 40s? Do the residents speak English, Spanish, other? There is a Finnish resident in one of my facilities. She usually sits comfortably with her eyes closed and minimal response. But she comes to life, sings, opens her eyes, and smiles every time we all sing Sibelius’s Finnish National Anthem. Find out about your residents so you can make deep, personal connections.

3. Learn everyone’s names. If the group is too large to do so in the first session, bring name badges to write out and stick on! No matter the circumstance, hearing your name sung or drummed to you is such a meaningful and special experience. This is an easy, instant acknowledgement and rapport-builder.

Continue Reading →

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