Time for Music

Podcast 27 Released!: “Songs for Stories”

Filed under: Podcasts — Tags: jenny sue kostecki shaw — February 28, 2010

Episode 27 of Songs for Music Therapy showcase two originals songs to be used with two different story books. The first song is “Hush!”, a song to be used with the book “Hush! A Thai Lullaby” by Mingfong Ho.

The second song is “I Am Me”, a companion song to the book “My Travelin’ Eye” by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw. Joe Kostecki is a music therapist with the Hochstein School of Music & Dance and Wade’s private practice Time for Music. Jenny Sue is Joe’s sister! For more information about the book, visit Jenny Sue’s website: www.dancingelephantstudiocom.

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Instrument Ideas Ep.2: Travis Picking Variation with a Song by Nickel Creek

Filed under: Instrument Ideas — Tags: guitar picking lyric discussion — February 27, 2010

In this episode of Instrument Ideas we use a variation of the Travis picking pattern featured in episode 1. The variation is then used with the song “Out of the Woods” by Nickel Creek. This is a great song for lyric analysis and discussion. Here are a few thoughts about initiating a song discussion.

1. Talk about what the two people in this song are feeling and experiencing.

2. Could the person doing the wishing be longing for someone out of reach?

3. What issues might the person in the woods be dealing with? (fear of moving out of a relationship, addiction, a rough time)

4. Describe how the meaning of the song would change with the following characters:

parent/child
family member/someone with an addiction
two friends
two coworkers
someone married or in a relationship/someone longing to be with that person

5. How do the following words relate to this song:

uncertainty
save
longing
self realization
lost
wishful
stuck
reality
dream

6. Has there been a time when you have experienced feelings of being lost or longing to help someone?

Please add some of your ideas in the comment area!

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“You’re Wonderful”- storybook and song

Filed under: Remarkable Resources — February 24, 2010

Special thanks to music therapist Kathleen Coleman for sharing this “Remarkable Resource”!

From Kathleen:

I found a wonderful illustrated songbook "You're Wonderful"

http://www.rainbowswithinreach.com/Page2.asp

It has great, affirming words:

I think you wonderful
I think you're marvelous
I think you're beautiful and magical and filled with curiosity and
dreams....

It is illustrated on each page with quilt pattern pieces; so the
layout of the book would make it usable for a wide range of ages and
situations.

The book comes with a CD and the song is done with a reggae feel.

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“Songs for Music Therapy” Podcast- Episode 26 Released!

Filed under: Podcasts — Tags: shape songs — February 21, 2010

Episode 26 includes the songs “I’m a Circle” and “Solid Shapes”. ”I’m a Circle” is a song used to identify and label basic shapes. ”Solid Shapes” is for older students learning the names of 3-dimensional shapes in Math. A polyrhythm experience is shared which includes using shapes to notate and read rhythmic patterns.

If you would like the powerpoint mentioned in the podcast, please contact me directly.

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Song Shop Winner!: Michelle Episale

Filed under: Noteworthy News — Tags: song shop — February 20, 2010

The winner of the free subscription to the “Song Shop” is Michelle Episale! Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway. Michelle is a friend from my high school days in Binghamton, New York. One of Michelle’s children has a sensory disorder, so she is thrilled to have access to all of the songs in the “Song Shop”. Michelle also has a great voice and is a very good dancer and both children enjoy music very much! Congratulations Michelle!

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Sign Songs: “Push the Elephant”

Filed under: Sign Songs — Tags: sign language songs music therapy — February 19, 2010

I love getting requests for blog posts! A music therapist that attended one of my sign and song presentations asked for a refresher for the song “Push the Elephant”. I use this song primarily with children. I may be working with a child who is Deaf, hard of hearing, or has a communication disorder. Often the incorporation of sign language into a musical experience can encourage Sign Supported Speech or communication. I briefly demonstrate the difference between signing the song using ASL and PSE. The resource I mention in the video is: www.signingonline.com. Please let me know if there are any other objects or animals you would like to know the sign for.

If you are right handed, then follow the movements of the right side of the video (I am moving my left hand for some signs, like ELEPHANT). If you are left handed, then move the hand opposite of the one I move.

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It’s So Hard to Wait!

Filed under: Songs — Tags: music therapy attention impulse control — February 17, 2010

Here is a free song clip example from the Cognitive category of my Song Shop.

“It’s So Hard to Wait!” is a song intervention to work on impulse control and sustaining attention through a short task. I have had excellent results with this intervention. The students love playing the various instruments and are very motivated to match up to my guitar playing and singing. I then extend the song by increasing the length of the instrument play or the wait time. Sometimes I engage the student to sing the word “wait” with me for as long as they can so they are actively involved. I use a digital recorder so they can listen back to their playing and singing.

It’s So Hard to Wait

Wait, wait, it’s so hard to wait!

Pick up the triangle and play it, play it.

Pick up the triangle and play it for me.

Play it nicely, play it nicely.

Play the triangle and give it back to me.

Wait, wait, it’s so hard to wait!

Pick up the shaker and shake it, shake it.

Pick up the shaker and play it for me.

Play it loudly, play it loudly.

Play the shaker and give it back to me.

Wait, wait, it’s so hard to wait!

Pick up the drum and play it, play it.

Pick up the drum and play it for me.

Play it nicely, play it nicely.

Play the drum and give it back to me.

Wait, wait, it’s so hard to wait!

Pick up the tambourine and play it, play it.

Pick up the shaker and play it for me.

Play it loudly, play it loudly.

Play the tambourine and give it back to me.

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This is so ME in the morning!

Filed under: Noteworthy News — Tags: eastman percussion —

Steven Schick is the guest artist featured with the Eastman Percussion Ensemble this Thursday.

For the past 30 years, Schick has championed contemporary percussion music as a performer and teacher by commissioning and premiering more than 100 new works for percussion. He was the percussionist of the Bang on a Can All-Stars of New York City from 1992 to 2002, and from 2000 to 2004 served as Artistic Director of the Centre International de Percussion de Genève in Geneva, Switzerland. Schick is founder and Artistic Director of the percussion group, “red fish blue fish.” He is Distinguished Professor of Music at the University of California, San Diego, and a Consulting Artist in Percussion at the Manhattan School of Music.- Eastman website

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One: USB Audio Interface

Filed under: Remarkable Resources — Tags: recording garage band mac — February 16, 2010

After cashing in my coin jars I was able to purchase the ONE. It is an USB Audio Interface which allows me to plug in an instrument or microphone directly into my MAC and record with Garage Band. Initially the sound quality of my recordings improved for sure. Does anyone else have one? Do you use something else? Please share what you use to record and how you like it! The ONE is also really easy to set up and use- a definite plus!

One

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Instrument Ideas- Ep. 1: Introduction to Travis Picking on Guitar

Filed under: Instrument Ideas — Tags: music therapy guitar modified — February 15, 2010

It’s here! Video blog episodes! The first episode introduces the use of Travis picking to enhance your guitar playing. This video clip goes through Travis picking with a D and A7 chord. ”Simple Gifts” is then played using the picking pattern.

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