TME Tuesday: The Cold and Dark of Winter
Therapeutic Music Experience
The Cold and Dark of Winter
Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC
Purpose:
To introduce topic of weather and season; To encourage discussion about
emotional changes with different seasons; To reinforce concept of weather
changes; social awareness and interaction; relaxation
Source:
Original song and TME development by Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC. © 2015 by
Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC. All Rights Reserved.
Materials:
None
Environment:
Group members within earshot of leader
Song/Chant/Words:
The cold and dark of winter can
seem so very long. The quiet snow is falling, the wind is very strong. But even
on the darkest night, the stars are there twinkling bright. The cold and dark
of winter will become Spring ‘ere long.
Procedure:
R = Reinforcement opportunities; C = Redirection/Cue opportunities; A =
Assessment
1.
C=start
singing song
2.
A=assess
whether group members show attention behaviors (eye gaze shifts, eye contact,
entrainment signs, moving, and others as appropriate for individual group
members) when the music starts
3.
R=reinforce
all attention behaviors. Redirect group members who do not initially engage
through verbal prompting and proximity
4.
C=continue
to sing the song, encouraging group members to sing as they learn the song
5.
C=model
deep breathing
6.
A=assess
group members for changes in attention or engagement
7.
R=reinforce
all group members for attention
8.
C=ask
questions about group members’ perceptions of winter (keep the music going in the background to
assist group members in attending to task)
a.
What is
your favorite thing about winter?
b.
What is
your least favorite thing about winter?
c.
What
did/do you like to do during the winter?
d.
How do
you feel during this time of year?
e.
How do
you help yourself feel happy when it is dark outside?
f.
Other
questions as appropriate for the group members
9.
A=assess
which group members engage in the conversation
10. R=reinforce all responses and contributions
from group members
11. Continue discussion and music until group
members show signs/symptoms of boredom and disengagement or when time runs out
Therapeutic
Function of Music:
The music provides the structure
for most of the goal areas identified. The lyrics include topics of darkness,
winter, and weather changes. The tempo is intended to be on the slow side
(around 85 bpm) but can be adapted to meet the preferences of group members.
The melody and harmony use both major and minor tonalities as well as some
modal elements. Several elements can be adapted to accommodate the preferences
of group members including pitch, dynamics, tempo, timbre, and lyrics.
Melody
|
Pitch
|
Rhythm
|
Dynamics
|
Harmony
|
Skips are prevalent
|
Variable based on group members’ preferences and/or needs;
Tessitura – 9 notes
|
Patterns of eighth, quarter, and dotted-quarter notes
|
Variable based on group members’ preferences and/or needs
|
Primarily major tonality with some minor tonality
|
Form
|
Tempo
|
Timbre
|
Style
|
Lyrics
|
Strophic
|
Variable based on group members’ preferences and/or needs
|
Variable based on group members’ preferences and/or needs
|
None indicated
|
Variable based on group members’ 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.
Adaptations:
- Use visual aids to illustrate the lyrics of the song
- Emphasize breathing and tempo to encourage relaxation behaviors
- Incorporate movements or use of scarves to
illustrate the movement of the melody and the tempo
Extensions:
- Seek contributions from group members to write new verses of the song to illustrate their personal experiences with the season
Enjoy the darkness. The spring is coming soon, I promise.
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