This week, we’re featuring an application that could be implemented for individuals in a rehabilitation setting. Employing paddle drums and an upbeat song, this application may be used to motivate clients to increase their range of motion, while also increasing duration of movement at the same time.
Possible Goals Addressed:
Increasing gross motor movement
Crossing midline
Increasing range of motion
Increasing duration of gross motor movement
Strengthening palmer grasp strength
Music used:
Leiber, J. & Stoller, M.. (1953). Hound dog [recorded by Big Mama Thornton]. On Night Mare [LP]. Los Angeles, California: Radio Recorders Annex.
Materials (optional):
Paddle drum Paddle drum mallet Small hand-held rhythm instrument that can be played with one hand (tambourine, bells etc.)
Application:
The music therapist will introduce the paddle drum to the client and demonstrate how it’s played. After handing out mallets to each client, the music therapist will begin singing “Hound Dog” while tapping out a beat with one hand playing a small rhythm instrument and with the other free hand, holding out the paddle drum to the clients. The music therapist will hold out the drum to the clients as a target for the client to hit.
Depending on the needs of each client, the therapist may vary the position of the drum or gradually move the drum from one direction to the other to increase the client’s range of motion.
Lyrics:
You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog Cryin’ all the time You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog Cryin’ all the time Well, you ain’t never caught a rabbit and you ain’t no friend of mine
Well they said you was high-classed Well, that was just a lie Yeah they said you was high-classed Well, that was just a lie Well, you ain’t never caught a rabbit and you ain’t no friend of mine
This intervention is a simple and fun way for clients to express what they love doing. The driving rock beat motivates clients to share various activities they enjoy or general preferences, while giving opportunities for clients in the group to listen to each other and encourage group cohesion.
Possible Goals Addressed:
Creative expression
Gross motor movement
Choice making
Expressing wants and needs
Social interaction
Music used:
Merrill, A. & Hooker, J. (1975). I love rock ‘n roll [recorded by the Arrows]. On “broken Down Heart [CD]. London, England: Rak Records.
Materials (optional):
White board to record clients’ responses Visual aids of possible items a client might enjoy
Application:
Sing the first verse and the chorus with the clients.
Go around the group and ask individuals what they love or love to do.
Incorporate their responses in the chorus (“client” loves [ice cream] come on everybody and sing with me).
Encourage the group to chant with you in sharing what each client loves.
Encourage the rest of the group to clap or tap to the beat while each person shares.
At the end, ask the group if they remember what each client loves.
Lyrics can also be adapted to include “so come on everybody and [move/clap/tap/drum etc.] with me.
Lyrics:
I saw him dancin’ there by the record machine I knew he must a been about seventeen The beat was goin’ strong Playin’ my favorite song An’ I could tell it wouldn’t be long Till he was with me, yeah, me And I could tell it wouldn’t be long Till he was with me, yeah, me, singin’
I love rock n’ roll So put another dime in the jukebox, baby I love rock n’ roll So come and take your time and dance with me Ow!
This week’s application features a well-known song that can be used across a multitude of populations. When used with a guitar or other stringed instrument, the music therapist can target several movement and non-movement goals at once. This application can be used in a traditional music therapy setting as well as in an adapted or typical lesson.
Possible Goals Addressed:
Participation
Fine motor control (pincer grasp)
Gross motor movement
Finger isolation
Creative expression
Music used:
Traditional. (1894). I’ve been working on the railroad.
Materials needed:
Stringed rhythm instrument (guitar, banjo, ukulele, or autoharp)
Application:
The music therapist will sing the song once through, encouraging the clients to sing along. Once the song is finished, the therapist will prompt clients to play with her. While singing the “fee, fie, fiddly-i-ooh” verse, the therapist will go around to each client and place the guitar (or other string rhythm instrument) in a position that is accessible for the client to strum along.
Additional considerations can include:
The use of a traditional pick or oversized pick
Utilizing hand over hand prompting, partial physical prompting or limited prompting
The client’s appropriate range of motion
Utilizing certain fingers, certain hands, or both hands
Lyrics:
I’ve been working on the railroad All the live long day I’ve been working on the railroad Just to pass the time away Can’t you hear the whistle blowing Rise up so early in the morn Can’t you hear the whistle blowing Dinah, blow your horn
Dinah won’t you blow Dinah won’t you blow Dinah, won’t you blow your horn Dinah, won’t you blow, Dinah, won’t you blow, Dinah, won’t you blow your horn
Someone’s in the kitchen with dinah Someone’s in the kitchen i know Someone’s in the kitchen with dinah Strumming on the old banjo
Fee fie fiddle eell o Fee fie fiddle eell o Fee fie fiddle eell o Strumming on the old banjo
This week’s application pairs a classic rock song with instrument play to target a variety of objectives in several different domains. With just a little lyrical adaptation, we’re able to address clients’ needs while also maintaining the original flavor of the song.
Headon, T., Jones, M., Simonon, P. & Strummer, J. (1982). Should i stay or should i go [ recorded by The clash]. On Combat Rock [CD]. Los Angeles, California: Epic Records.
Materials needed:
Hand instruments (rhythm sticks, shakers, etc., visual aids if appropriate)
Application:
The music therapist will adapt the lyrics to the song “Should I Stay or Should I Go”, by The Clash. Repeat the song as appropriate to include various clients choosing different options. Additional resources such as visual aides or the use of body percussion can also be added to fit the individual needs of clients.
Choices that the music therapist can insert into the adapted lyrics include the following:
Should we play fast or play slow? (proceed to the chorus while playing fast or slow)
Should we play high or down low? (proceed to play the chorus tapping/shaking high or low
Should we stop or should we go? (if client says stop, pause and then cue the group to say “go” and proceed to the chorus. If the client says go, immediately proceed to the chorus)
Lyrics:
Should I Stay or Should I Go (Adapted Version)
Verse 1
[name], you got to let me know Should I stay or should I go? If you say that you are mine I’ll be here till the end of time So you got to let me know Should I [insert action] or should I [insert action]?
Chorus
Should I stay or should I go now? Should I stay or should I go now? If I go, there will be trouble And if I stay it will be double So come on and let me know
Should I [insert action or should I [insert action]
Verse 2
Now [shake/tap] down by your knees, knees, knees Come on, let’s [shake/tap] down by by your knees, knees, knees One day it’s fine and next it’s black Well, come on and let me know Should I [insert action or should I [insert action]?
Chorus
Should I stay or should I go now? Should I stay or should I go now? If I go, there will be trouble And if I stay it will be double So come on and let me know
Should I [insert action or should I [insert action]
When a typical day consists of balancing being a therapist, music instructor, and occasionally, an early childhood music teacher, it can feel like my main job is actually figuring out how to balance all of the different roles.
I struggle with balancing the position of teacher and therapist because I tend to rigidly categorize myself as a music therapist who should only pursue music therapy-specific roles.
Although I grew up taking music lessons every week, I never pictured myself in a teacher role. Even in my current position, I am still learning what the role of a music therapist truly looks like.
How I found a balance in the various hats that I wear in my professional life
I struggle with balancing the position of teacher and therapist because I tend to rigidly categorize myself as a music therapist who should only pursue music therapy-specific roles. However, the more I’m actively working within this field, the more I see opportunities for my music therapy training to supplement other disciplines/roles and vice versa.
In teaching lessons, the music therapist in me is able to tune into my students’ developmental, psycho-social, and behavioral needs, all the while keeping them engaged in the music and task at hand.
In music therapy sessions I often find myself drawing on the resources, repertoire, and lessons that I have used teaching the individual lessons and classes.
During the times when the roles of music instructor and music therapist intersect, I have to remember that no matter what I’m doing (whether it’s teaching individual lessons, 1:1 music therapy sessions, or leading group music therapy sessions), the most important aspect of my work is empowering my students and clients to live life fully.
I find joy in knowing that growing my students’ music skills could lead to more opportunities in their academic and extracurricular life, future performance opportunities, and even a future career.
As for my clients, I love using music as a tool to lead to physical, communicative, emotional, academic, social, and recreational wellness.
These are just some of the reasons that I love what I do, day in and day out. If you have taken on different roles as a music therapist, I’d love to hear from you! let me know in the comments how you have worked through your various roles, and how your roles have informed your day to day life.