Sound Matters Music Therapy, LLC
Serving adults with developmental disability in Minneapolis, MN
*Whoa. How does a person get anything else done when they’re planning a wedding? Truly, does anyone have advice?
I really liked this article. The piece reminds me of a time I’d heard one of my music therapy instructors tell the class that when she had to undergo some treatment in a hospital, she denied any visits from the hospital’s music therapist and refused any music at all.
How does this article sit with you?
I feel rather distant from a number of things lately, but this is because we are so busy getting together the rest of our wedding planning. Obviously I haven’t been writing daily; but I’ve been working daily.
Last week’s UPS included:
Last week’s NOT-SO-UPS included:
Have a good week, everyone.
I’ve decided to add another challenge to my days this week. Not only am I busy planning my wedding, but I’ve decided I need to direct more energy at my musical skill development. I’ve challenged myself to writing one song (defined, in my head, as two verses, one chorus, and one bridge) each day this work week.
How am I doing? Today is only Tuesday, and I am one-for-two…
But, I am happy enough that yesterday I wrote in a minor key, which is something I’ve rarely used recently, and I’m using some different strumming techniques. I am all for professional musical development.
My excuse for not writing today is that my fiancé and I were too busy learning the subject of the YouTube video in preparation for our upcoming wedding… Hurrah for old-time music at our reception.
I had the opportunity to see a good friend and music therapy colleague perform last night here in Minneapolis. Lynn O’Brien and her trio, Hummingbirds, opened for a CD release show. Not only did one of Lynn’s songs bring tears to my eyes, she also inspired me (as she usually does) to try my hand at songwriting again.
I often create songs in my music therapy sessions, and sometimes those same songs develop over time into more detailed experiences. But I’m going to try, to TRY, to write one song per day this week.
Too often lately I have busied myself with paperwork and preparation. I think it’s time to shift some energy over to my musical development.
Thanks to Lynn for this inspiration. 🙂
On Mondays, I will be writing up a short, non-academic review of an article I’ve found interesting. These articles will be taken from music therapy literature.
“… [R]esearchers found that children engaged in an arts-enriched preschool (early learning, music, visual arts, and creative movement) improved in language, literacy, mathematics, and science skills, regardless of ethnicity and economic disadvantage. This growth was in comparison with another ‘high quality’ preschool, suggesting that an art-focused program can enhance early learning goals” (pg. 29).
I had another awesome opportunity to attend a Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra concert, this one being the Chamber Music Series #5. I grew up playing violin, and have had a somewhat tenuous relationship with the instrument over the past few years, but I was very engaged in the music tonight.
The non-musical benefits of music instruction have always been of most interest to me, which is probably why I am so excited about music therapy. I have always touted music instruction as being integral in the development of poise and confidence in front of others. Tonight I enjoyed watching the musicians’ movements, and noticed that their bodies were absolutely synchronized with their music. This didn’t surprise me, but I loved being a little bit more aware of the musicality of their movements, and knowing that the poise with which they engrossed their audience in the performance came directly from the music they produced. I hope to be in their audience again soon.
Tonight I had a somewhat surprise observation by a client’s occupational therapist, and am so happy that she was interested in and excited about our mutual client’s involvement in music therapy. I am hoping to be in contact with her again.
Happy Easter.
“What are those Easter eggs?” says a child to me today.
One of the topics of discussion at our music therapist meeting on Saturday was that of having history. One of my colleagues and friends works in hospice with mostly Jewish people, and brought up the fact that sometimes he feels a struggle between having history and knowing history.
This topic led into a conversation about the appropriate use of recorded music in sessions. There are pages of notes I took at this meeting, and of course this is an in-depth topic; I can’t write enough about it now to give it justice. However, I will say that I love that I thought a little differently when I left that meeting.
“To have history is different than to know it.”
I hope to write more on this subject soon.
I have never considered myself a songwriter. I have always considered myself a planner.
Recent realizations are such that I am a songwriter (almost on a daily basis), and my feelings toward planning are that they are hopeful and sometimes restricting.
I believe all of this relates.
I’ve been afraid of writing songs and music because I’ve felt that there are a certain set of rules a composer must follow in order for the song to be valid. I’ve also always held that a songwriter must be very versed in music theory. I loathe music theory. I know it’s useful and important, but I still loathe it.
I’ve been set on rigid planning practices, in regard to music therapy and everything else there is to plan, but I have frequently been so pleasantly surprised by results of therapy sessions when I truly accommodate for the moment. This is not to say that goals and objectives are abandoned. This is to say that I am really good at improvising when I need to be. I am so happy with that.
As far as songwriting and planning go, I’ve found that I can create a legitimate song in a session that is not only applicable to that particular client and his or her needs but teachable and adaptable.
I like these kinds of surprises.