TME Tuesday: How Do I Get There From Here?



 Happy Tuesday - here is a song that is part of sing about travel. If you are interested in more therapeutic music experiences (TMEs), check out our TME collections on the website!

How Do I Get There From Here?
Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC
Therapeutic Music Experience 

Purpose: To increase awareness of world geography in a personal context; to discuss modes of transportation; to develop executive function through problem-solving; social interaction

Source: Original song. © 2015 by Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC.

Materials: Globe or map that indicates group location; OPTIONAL: preselected destinations displayed in way group members can interpret; accompanying instrument

Environment: Group members need to be close enough to see any visual aids used during the TME.

Song/Chant/Words:
I                V7                  I                                            V7                  I
How do I get there from here, from here?  How do I get there from here?
                                    IV         I                 V7
I could walk, then go drive, or I could al-ways fly.
           I                   V7                   I
That's how I could get there from here.

Procedure: R = Reinforcement opportunities; C = Redirection/Cue opportunities; A = Assessment
1.      C=display the globe or map and indicate where you are you currently located.
2.      A=assess whether group members are attending to the discussion.
3.      C=ask group members to name their current location.
4.      A=assess whether group members are able to identify their location – can they identify the street, the city, the state, the country?
5.      R=reinforce all responses and redirect those that require assistance to identify their location.
6.      C=ask group members to select a destination – use either verbal interaction, point to a place on the globe/map; choose a preselected destination card.
7.      A=assess whether group members are able to choose a new location.
8.      R=reinforce all responses offered by group members.
9.      C=start to sing the song.
10.  A=assess whether group members are actively engaged through displaying attention behaviors (eye contact, singing along, moving in rhythm to the music).
11.  R=reinforce all group members for participating.
12.  C=offer opportunities for group members to indicate different modes of transportation to complete the underlined words in the song above.

Therapeutic Function of Music:
The music contains questions to spur cognitive processing and executive function. The lyrics direct clients to indicate travel options. The pattern of syncopated beats provides novelty and engages the attention of clients.

Melody
Pitch
Rhythm
Dynamics
Harmony
Primarily scalar with some triad skips
Tessitura – 6 notes; Variable based on clients’ needs and preferences
4/4 pattern with syncopation
Variable based on clients’ needs and preferences
Major: I, IV, V7

Form
Tempo
Timbre
Style
Lyrics
Strophic
Variable based on clients’ needs and preferences
Variable based on clients’ needs and preferences
Variable based on clients’ needs and preferences
Prompting responses; Can be varied to incorporate different destinations or concepts
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.

Adaptations:
·         Change locations/destinations to those relevant to client’s life. Change the map to indicate specific locations

Extensions:
·         Incorporate Here Are Some Facts About… TME once group members have indicated destination.

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