Our musical presentation is so, so important in music therapy.

Music is the tool we are using to bring about therapeutic change.

Thus, we want our musical presentation to be high quality and engaging. This means we need to have strong musical skills on a variety of instruments AND be able to create musical accompaniments that are interesting.

I’m putting together a two part series with creative ways you can do this.

In the series, I’ll share the idea/s first, and then give you a “Try it out” challenge to push yourself to not just read this post and put it away, but to implement the ideas in your session THIS WEEK.

Here are some ideas to get you started –

1. Use your primary instrument / a symphonic instrument –

Here’s a cool example of how using my clarinet let to some incredible responses in a classroom of children with severe and profound intellectual disability. You can click here to watch a video of me using my clarinet in that classroom.

Here are a few creative ways I use my clarinet in sessions with toddlers. You can watch the video of us movin’ and groovin’ here!

And for your tween and teen clients, you can use your primary or symphonic instrument in Name That Tune with a Twist (instructions here). This is also a fun way to work in those “not-so-therapeutic” client preferred songs.

I have had practicum students and interns bring in every instrument you can think of – from the violin to the trombone to the banjo, and the responses from clients have always been positive.

Try it out THIS WEEK – use your primary instrument or another symphonic instrument in your session using one of the ideas from the posts above (or in an idea you come up with!)

2. Add in non-traditional accompaniment instruments –

I used to give my interns challenges: Accompany yourself with just a maraca for this song, for example. Or, lead this singable story with a bongo as your accompaniment instrument.

It was their challenge to come up with a creative rhythm pattern on that instrument that would keep the beat or keep the groove of the song going as they sang.

Try it out THIS WEEK – look through your instrument bag and find some non-traditional accompaniment instruments that can accompany you in your next session!

I’m going to refresh my sessions and try these ideas out this week.

Be sure to stay tuned next week when I share more creative ways to enhance your musical presentation, thereby increasing engagement, and helping your clients reach their therapeutic goals.

If you’re looking for more ways to increase engagement and interest in your clients (especially those tweens and teens!), I’d love for your to check out Elevate.

Elevate is pre-approved by CBMT for 10 CMTE (continuing ed) credits, and there are three packages available.