Rhythm Rings!

Rhythm rings are all the rage! O.K, at least in my mind they are. I picked up these handy little shakers at the Mid-Atlantic Region Conference and cannot get enough of them.  The extremely helpful man at the exhibition hall stand was demonstrating them in the next booth when I caught a glimpse of them and had to have them.  I’ve recently used them at “Kirkhaven” (see previous post) where it really added something special to the percussive accompaniment. A bunch of things ran through my head of how I was going to use them. Let’s go through a few:

• So adaptable! No matter what population you’re working with they can strap on to anyone’s fingers- from child to adult!
• Instant success! No matter what you hit, or if you just shake your hands they make a sound.
• As a therapist, you can use them while playing other instruments.  With a guitar in your hands it’s very hard to try and play a shaker. Now you can!
• Great in a drum circle, or percussion activity for the therapist or the client.
• So many possibilities!
• They’re adorable!

So strap on some rhythm rings and start using them as you jam out, or in your sessions. You can find rhythm rings at http://www.westmusic.com.  Here’s a little demo video for rhythm rings.

Sarah

How to fight off those first-practicum nerves!

Being a music therapy student can really take a toll on your nerves, especially when you come to the time in your education when you will soon have a client of your own (under supervision of course!), and will be asked to dive into all of the techniques and therapeutical skills which you’ve hopefully retained over the past 2 years.  It’s terrifying- no one can deny it.  Excitement and eagerness take a seat in the back row, and pretty soon nausea and “shakey-hand syndrome” have front row seats to your bodily systems.  It’s O.K! Take a breath.  Let’s talk about this.

Let’s first pinpoint what it is your freaking out about.  Is it the unknown? Perhaps never meeting your client before? Sudden doubts in your skills? Or perhaps it’s the big pink elephant in the room with you… your clinic supervisor.

Ahh, your supervisor.  The professional music therapist who has been gracious enough to “watch you” during your first interactions with a person other than your classmates.  Not only that, but most likely you’ve been able to observe them and get a basic understanding of how far you need to get before you’re certified.  Okay, I’m making this sound really bad.  I don’t mean to, it’s just that… I’ve been there.  Those steps into the building, wherever it might be, seem endless as I keep reciting the lyrics to my activity in my head over and over again.  But then 2 things happen: you meet your client, and you meet your supervisor.

Guess what? It’s not that bad! Yes of course everyone get’s those “first couple of session “ jitters,” but then soon you realize you’re there for your client and it’s about them. Here are a few things so remember:

• Your supervisor is there to help. They’ve agreed to do this-they want you to ask them questions.  Yes, I’ve heard of supervisors who are not the most helpful, but then you really get to demonstrate your professionalism and the skills you have without the guidance.  Think of your supervisor not as the Wicked witch, but as Glinda guiding you to Oz down the therapy-brick-road.
• It’s okay for you to make mistakes: Even professionals play wrong chords, or have to make up a forgotten verse.  It’s not the end of the world.  Music is great because if it’s successful it sticks- If not, it floats away never to be heard from again!
• Turn your nervous energy into energy for the session.  Some clients need to feed off of your positive energy. And I guarantee, you won’t feel nervous once the music starts- it’s just the lead-in.
• Supervisor’s remember what it’s like to be in your shoes (most anyway).  My first supervisor always told me stories of her experiences.  They know your going to be nervous.  Your client however, most likely does not know this is your first time! Use that to your advantage and try to convince yourself the same!
• It get’s easier. I promise this.  The more practice you have and the more times you lead activities and full sessions, the more natural it becomes.  Try to keep positive, enjoy the experience, and know that next semester you’re going to be that much better!

Think I’m crazy? The very first activity I led bombed.  My client (4 year old with Autism), was overloaded by the activity and basically stood there.  Access- denied.  I wanted to crawl into the corner.  NO! I tried to keep it positive, brushed myself off and got back on the horse.  I was having very successful full sessions with him by the end of my practicum.  It does get easier! Many of the things that you need to have to be a music therapist cannot be taught it school.  They are acquired through experience, or you naturally have them.  Be confident with yourself that your skills will be developed and you will be successful just like your client will be!

Here’s a little video to leave you with.  If your stuck for your first activity (or if your well into your practicum’s it’s still good) this would be a fun one.  Thanks!

dancin shoes

Sarah

Autoharp: Functional Instrument in Therapy… say what!?

After having a very basic initial run down of the autoharp in my very first pre-clinic class last semester, I had a general gist of the instrument; However, I couldn’t help but think, “okay this is cool, but how in the world can I ever incorporate an autoharp into a session with a client?”  It didn’t help that our school’s autoharp that is available as a resource has been around the block a few times, was out of tune, and kind of clunky to carry.  I set it on the back-burner of my mind, and didn’t really retrieve this viable information until just a few months ago.

My current client has PPA-Primary Progressive Aphasia- which is a form of dementia that effects speech and language.  Working on simple words and phrases, and basic retrieval of words that were once automatic is declining.  After a few sessions of working  on the word “my” to later be inserted into a common phrase, “My name is _____.” I realized that he was lacking a visual cue that he needed to form the word.  He had been using a cabasa by rolling in on the inside of his hand to form the “mmm” sound, but continuing to the “y” sound was challenging him.  The use of my guitar was visually not enough for him (especially since I was partially behind a table.) What did I do you ask? …

I dusted off the autoharp, gave it a quick tuning over spring break, and have been using it in my sessions! I place in almost right in front of him during the exercise, and as a hold down the C button, I strum upwards and throw my hand in the air giving my client that visual.  It worked like a charm.  The instrument was new and different and it gives me the flexibility of not having to hold a guitar in my arms.  It was just the effect we needed for the session.

In another class I demonstrated the use of the autoharp in my sessions with my client, and I also came up with an alternate activity that could be used for a different population… say, kids?  The autoharp has a distinctive sound quality that could mimic many different sounds. I chose to use it as “water,” “raindrops,” or a “waterfall.” Have your group or child make rain finger’s stretched way up in the air…

(to the tune “row, row, row your boat”)

G Raindrops are falling down, falling all aroundWhat  a lovely sound they make D splashing to the G ground

 

Make a downward sound on the autoharp that mimic’s water falling down and the children can match the sound with their hand’s going down to the floor.

There are countless ways to use the autoharp in therapy. Here are a few quick facts:

• It’s success oriented.  Just push a button and it makes the chord!
• It’s easy for clients to play and there are numerous adaptive picks that can be used.
• Nothing else sounds like it.  Clients will most likely enjoy it because it’s different.
• It is portable- usually has a nifty case with a handle.
• Can work in many settings (classroom, bedside, one-one-one)
• Has more strings than guitar- sounds like it to!

It looks really intimidating to tune, and probably is difficult if it’s really far gone, however if it just needs a tune up the pegs barley need to be twisted to make a big difference.  Don’t think your going to have to sit there for hours cranking on each peg.  Just start with all the same notes and give them a tweak.

Not so long after I had this autoharp epiphany did I read a great post from http://www.MusicTherapyMaven.com Seems like it’s not so far fetched!

That’s all I got for the autoharp. Super useful. Super fun. Something different.

The Music (wo)Man

Hello!

My name is Sarah Sendlbeck.  A little about myself- I am 21 years old and I am currently living in Rochester, NY.  I am a heading into my final year as an undergraduate Music Therapy student at Nazareth College.  Although at times I feel like pulling my hair out, hiding under the piano in the practice rooms, and rolling into the fetal position, my experience training to be a Music Therapist is rewarding, exceptionally enjoyable on most days, and shaping up to be the best decision i’ve made.  I originally had ambitions to be a clinical psychologist, but my passion for music and the overwhelming capabilities and roles music plays in a therapy setting are not only supported by clinical research, but also countless testimonials and music therapy professionals throughout the United States.

I am in my second clinical practicum this semester.  I am working with a client at the Nazareth College Aphasia clinic with a gentleman that has Primary progressive Aphasia: “a type of dementia characterized most prominently by an insidious and progressive disorder of language and speech abilities.” Last semester I was supervised under CP Rochester and worked with a 4 year old on the autism spectrum, as well as a group of 11 children with mixed diagnoses of cerebral palsy, autism, and mental retardation.

As for most students (specifically Music Therapy majors) I struggle with balancing the tasks placed on me as a BA music student, a training therapist, and a working young adult.  When all area’s flow together, its a rewarding feeling.

In this blog I hope to provide a window into the world of a student music therapist.  I would like to provide resources for both students and working professionals in the field, and I publish my own thoughts, songs, activities, and guidance to other’s on how to successfully balance all the fundamentals that make up a Music Therapist, and the many “happenings” that are going on in this field.

More to come!

“Simply put, music can heal people.”

Sarah

MAR-AMTA Pittsburgh, PA Nazareth College Music Therapy Students