TME Tuesday - The Future

Today's TME seems really apropos for me as I am in a "Future" kinda mood. Enjoy!!



The Future
Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC

Purpose: To introduce the topic of long-term planning; creativity; abstract thought; timeline concepts; social interaction

Source: Original song. © 2002 by Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC

Materials: Guitar, body percussion; OPTIONAL: large piece of paper or paper for each group member; magazines, glue sticks, scissors; colored pencils, crayons, and/or marker; other art materials as desired

Environment: Group members need to have enough space to complete the project and still be within hearing range of the therapist providing the music

Song/Chant/Words: The Future.pdf
      I                 vi                  ii                               V7
The future, the future, we’re looking towards the future.
           I                        vi                        ii          V7         I
We’re planning, we’re planning, we’re looking past today.

I want to finish school, graduate, and get a job. I want to finish school and then get a job!
      I                 vi                  ii                               V7
The future, the future, we’re looking towards the future.
           I                        vi                        ii          V7         I
We’re planning, we’re planning, we’re looking past today.

Procedure: R = Reinforcement opportunities; C = Redirection/Cue opportunities; A = Assessment
  1. Complete future vision paper prior to the start of the session to demonstrate to group members one idea of a vision
  2. Place all materials within arm’s reach of group members while starting step 3
  3. C= start singing the song, looking for responses from group members
  4. A= assess whether group members sing along with the music
  5. R= reinforce all attempts to sing with song and redirect group members who do not appear to be paying attention by using names or using proximity to gain attention
  6. C= Continue to sing the song, asking for volunteers to share their own dreams for the future

Therapeutic Function of Music:
Music is the accompanying element to the main task of exploring the future possibilities open to group members. The music starts as the impetus for the experience, offering a format referencing planning and the opportunity to dream about what group members could do in the future. The music continues as a background figure while group members complete the creative planning aspect of the vision board and start to determine plans for the future. Group members complete the composition by changing the lyrics to fit their own plans for the future, individualizing the experience for each group member.

Melody
Pitch
Rhythm
Dynamics
Harmony
Simple, repetitive, small range
Variable based on client’s preferred ranges
Ta, ti patterns, repetitive
Variable to gain attention of group members
I, vi, ii, V7

Form
Tempo
Timbre
Style
Lyrics
ABA
Variable to gain attention of group members
Vocal – guitar if desired; body percussion
Variable based on group members’ preferences – could be rap, rock, country, etc.
Repetitive with opportunities for word replacement to accommodate group members’ interests and contributions
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.

I'm still trying to figure out how to post a pdf to this program, so I'll post the song on my website.

How could you use this song with your clients? Let me know in the comments!
 

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