Song Idea - TME Development

On Tuesday, I shared a TME Song visual which assists me in completing brainstorming and Therapeutic Music Experience (TME) development. As I was sitting in my house this morning, waiting for the sun to rise (kinda - it's stormy out there), and getting ready for enjoying the rest of my second Spring Break, I thought I would expand on this previous post and go through the process itself here in this post. So, here it goes!

Here is the TME graphic in an outline format. My comments are added in green (because I like the color green!). 

Start with a Song - Just going to pick up a random songbook here nearby, then flip to a random page... So, the song is... Shenandoah. According to the book that I picked, this is an old sea chantey. Discovering Music Together 4: Teacher's Edition, (1970), states that the song refers "to the story of a white trader who fell in love with the daughter of the Indian chieftain, Shenandoah, and took her across 'the wide Missouri.' " The explanation goes on to explain that some think the song came from Irish sailors who had spent time in the Midwest working inland rather than on the ocean. Hmm, interesting thoughts.
 
Look at the Lyrics
    What do the lyrics talk about? - The lyrics talk about Shenandoah (which I thought was actually a river name until I read about the chief. I admit that I was always confused about the "I love your daughter" part until now). The singer misses Shenandoah and seems to be full of regret that he has to leave to go across the Missouri (which is a river around here!). This might work in a thematic unit about local history or geography...
    
    Are the lyrics appropriate for your population? Yep, the lyrics are appropriate - no inappropriate conditions or situations. The lyrics may not be easily comprehended by clients with developmental disabilities, but the explanation of the song may help with comprehension.
       
    Are there words that could be easily changed without changing the entire song meaning? The melody could easily be used - piggybacking specific lyrics to the melody to assist clients in relaxation or in learning skills.
 
Think about present levels of functioning
   
    What are the current goals and objectives? This information is different for every client who enters the music therapy room, so most of this section cannot be answered right now. I do not really have a client in mind at this moment, just a general idea about what I could possibly do with the song...
   
        Does the song address the client's goals and objectives as is?
            Yes
                Use song with the client in the session.
            No
                Adapt the lyrics to address goals and objectives
    What are the client's musical preferences? What is liked? What is disliked?

    Blend the two together
        Present song to client. Observe reaction and assess preference.
      
        Adapt lyrics to address client goals and objectives
      
        Ask client to express opinion of song and TME ideas. 

Therapeutic Function of Music:

Melody	Pitch	Rhythm	Dynamics	Harmony
Traditional melody - follows upward pattern and then downward pattern	Variable based on client preferences and singing abilities - original key in book is E-flat major	Alternates between 4/4 and 3/4 as presented - uneven pattern is "believed to be caused by an embedded anchor." (p. 87)	Variable based on attention of client and client preferences	Major tonality

Form	Tempo	Timbre	Style	Lyrics
Sea Chantey - strophic	Slower tempo, but may be changed to accommodate client preferences and needs	Variable based on type of instruments used	Sea Chantey	Story about a sailor. Can be changed easily to accommodate client needs

Chart adapted from Hanson-Abromeit, D. (2010). A Closer Look at the Therapeutic Function of Music. Presentation at 2010 American Music Therapy Association National Conference: Cleveland, OH.

So, now what do I do with this song? Stay tuned. I'll show you soon!