Sentimental Sunday: A Glimpse Into Creating Visual Aids for Therapeutic Music Experiences

It is Sentimental Sunday again, and the random number generator spat out #1141, a post from March 20, 2016. This post was concerned with how I make supplemental visual aids for therapeutic music experiences (TMEs). Not everyone likes to draw - most of us feel like we can't draw - but I enjoy it. I find that my clients like my hand drawn visuals as much as they like my clip art generated visuals, so I do both. I draw, and I use the ever-growing collection of clip art that I have purchased.

One of the things that I would like to learn more about is creating digital art. I watch so many artists on YouTube who create things using their computers, and I marvel at their creations. Most folks use Procreate, but that is an apple only app. I do not think like apple things, and I don't have an extra $700 sitting around to buy an apple thing just because I would like to make some digital art. I haven't delved into the Android versions too much, but I've tried some things. I have a digital drawing pad and stylus, but no software that works right now. I'm not sure how to use my digital drawing pad. I have the technology but not the knowledge that I need to use it!!

It has been a long time since I drew something for my clinic. I have been using the clip art collection to make things for my clients and for others. I find that clip art tends to be cutesy, and I am not the biggest fan of cutesy. So, when I cannot find something in my collection that allows me to make visuals for older clients, I try to draw things that are a bit less precious and a bit more realistic. I figure that other people are looking for less cute visuals as well. At least, I hope so since my drawings are not extremely cute - they are pretty simple. They work, though, at least they work with my clients. My clients can identify what the pictures are supposed to be, so I think they are effective.

On March 20, 2016, another Sunday, I was pretty proud of my graphics for I Don't Want to Live on the Moon. I love this song, written by Jeffrey Moss, and performed by Ernie from Sesame Street. It is one of my favorite songs, and I enjoyed drawing the visuals. I think I will find that file and repurpose it a bit. This is not something that I share with others much because the song is not mine. I can use those pictures, though, to make a big book for my clients to use. I wonder if I could watercolor my ink jet printing - I think I have a trick for getting the ink jet ink to withstand the water. I guess all I can do is try.

One of the important things that I have figured out over many years of doing group sessions is that any visual aid that you make in a small format can be made in a big format and vice versa. I like having big versions and small versions in use simultaneously when I am leading TMEs that use these visuals. I have a large version for me to use, and my clients get smaller, one-page or file folder versions for their use. I keep them in the same storage area so I can find everything when I want and need them. I will usually have a folder with my large version (like a plastic folder with prongs to keep the pages in a book format) and three or four file folder versions for my clients to use. They get smaller visuals because I want them to be interacting with materials more than they do when I am holding the books.

That just sparked an idea...I need to write it down to include in my Ideas book...

Okay. Idea set down on paper. I can go back to writing...

Visual aids are not needed for music therapy to occur, but they can help clients find meaning in music faster - at times. Now, I do not have visual aids for everything possible. I just don't. There never will be a time where every single thing that I do with clients has to have a visual aid. Never, but there are clients who respond more when something has a visual component, so I will always be thinking about making visual aids.

My visual aid products include lyric sheets, file folder activities, large visuals, and small visuals. I am always thinking about making new things, but I don't always have the time or energy to generate those new products. That is one of my retirement fantasies - spending lots of time making visuals for other music therapists to use in their sessions. If you are interested in seeing some of my products, head over to my TPT store to see the things that are available. I keep the costs for you low on purpose. Anything that you purchase helps me out, so thanks for looking and considering a purchase. There are some files available for free! Check them out.

Happy Sunday, all.