music, therapy, and me

Yesterday was a day of cranky students. We had a combination of rainy weather and the full moon and October, and it led us all to being cranky. I decided to try something that I haven't tried in a long time. I put up different gross motor cues - wall push-ups, sit-ups, twist, march - you know the kinds. I put on some familiar, preferred music for the specific clients that I had in front of me, and we started off. Everyone found a movement to start on. The music started, and they were asked to try the movement. We lasted about 30 seconds on each movement. I used a hotel bell to signal moving around the circle to the next movement. There were 9 stations total, and it took about a song and a half to get through all of the stations. We jumped and hopped and jumping jacked our way into better moods. It was amazing. 100% of the kids who participated started off grumpy and disgruntled and ended up tired but in a more pleasant mood. The kids who didn't participate remained cranky a...

I often use recorded music in my sessions - there are some out there who do not feel that recorded music is appropriate for a music therapy session, but I do - no apologies here. My adolescents strongly identify with performers and specific performances, so I look for ways to use recordings and familiar songs in sessions with my clients. This is a TME that allows me to either use live music or a recording to facilitate movement - structured movement within a group setting. Therapeutic Music Experience The Loco-motion Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC Purpose : To provide opportunities for motor development; motor sequencing; receptive language Source : Words and music by Gerry Goffin and Carole King © 1962 (renewed 1990) SCREEN-GEMS EMI MUSIC, INC. TME idea © August 1, 2012 by Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC. Materials : Music source – either functional instrument or CD player and CD; OPTIONAL: Movement cards to structure the dance Environment : Group members...