“Tell me, I forget… Show me, I remember… Involve me, I understand.” Carl Orff
Carl Orff’s motto describes his development of a music educational approach.
Carl Orff, (1895-1982) contemporary German composer of dramatic operas such as Carmina Burana, developed a music educating model for children. Defined by Orff, the ideal music for children as “never alone, but connected with movement, dance, and speech—not to be listened to, meaningful only in active participation.” Orff said, “Experience first, then intellectualize.” The Orff approach builds the understanding of concepts and skills through interpersonal connections with the music by experiencing it on all levels. These levels include speech/chants, movement, singing, drama, and by playing pitched and unpitched instruments sometimes referred to as “Orff” instruments.
While Orff created this process (carefully NOT labeled a method) when working with children in music education, a music therapist can adapt this approach to all ages in therapeutic interventions. This is because as in therapy, there are certain connectors to the next phase but not really a step-by-step procedure. In Music Therapy, there has to be flexibility in the direction a therapist and/or client then chooses to take. The main focus is to obtain non-musical goals through music as a medium. A client could show an interest in development of sounds, movement, speech, social connections, and creativity while working with the music medium. It would be a professional Music Therapist who could then take that desire and adapt it to meet the non-musical goals. Check out a video blog demonstrating the use of an Orff activity to obtain non-musical goals beginning with simple and complex social interaction, fine and gross motor skills, internalization of rhythm, and creativity.
I’ve received a request asking how music therapy can be helpful for physical therapy. I actually love this topic for many reasons. I get the chance to demonstrate how music works biologically in a setting where the evidence is so concrete because it is witness through movement. There is also immediate gratification when witnessing a physical therapy goal met through music. Some of my clients’ greatest successes were a result of physical therapy and music therapy implemented together. Music Therapy is utilizing the musical components and adaptive tools to accomplish non-musical goals. Goals in areas such as physical therapy, speech therapy, mental health, and occupational therapy are studied and communicated with a music therapist to enhance treatment. The result is sometimes shocking even to the co-therapist.
I remember a little girl who was involved with physical therapy twice a week in her home. The physical therapist struggled with her client to make eye contact, much less participate in therapy. The client was encouraged to stand with assistance and to make several steps through out the home. The client also loved water and the physical therapist encouraged her to take the stairs to the bathroom and rewarded her with water play in the sink. This worked temporarily; but then the client would be “exhausted” after one trip up and down the stairs. The mother of the little girl reported to the physical therapist that while music therapy sessions were going on, she would dance for 20 minutes of the session. This surprised the physical therapist and she then observe the music therapy sessions. After a few observations, the physical therapist was impressed by the clients music motivation. Co-therapy began and took place one time a week and the first session included several walks up the stairs, down the stairs, and several minutes on a treadmill. This was incredible!
The first step into any treatment is to get them moving and to motivate them to get themselves moving. Music is a motivating factor for everyone in ways of involuntary neurological participation through rhythmic structure. Music also motivates emotional participation through rhythmic structure and tonal sounds with melody and harmony. With emotional and physical motivation, an increase in voluntary participation can be witnessed. Music Therapist often have adaptive tools that can assist a client in participation. Tools can include a variety of instruments as well as adaptive gadgets allowing ability to play chosen instruments. I have worked with several Cerebral Palsy clients whose hands are clinched so tight, yet, they can play an autoharp when a large flat pick is slipped in between the fingers. Various shakers can be found to work with a variety of hand positions. I even have a tool that clamps onto a table and several instruments can be hung, clamped, placed upright, or placed on the sides to allow various positionings allowing fine and gross motor skills work.
I have recently come across several research articles regarding stroke victims and music therapy. It is encouraging to read that other professionals are recognizing the benefits and profound effectiveness of music therapy in physical and neurological recovery. Through emotional motivation, increase of memory input, and social involvement of music therapy, some have reported a diffference in progress as much as 60% between stroke victims involved in music therapy and those not involved in music therapy. That is significant and makes me wonder why we do not have more Music Therapist working alongside physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech therapist in the hospitals.
In response to an email asking for help with their autistic grandson. We can find many, many articles on the benefits of music with autistic children and adults. The purpose of these blogs is to focus on the practical information that anyone can follow and practice.
Without having any further information regarding level of autism, developmental age, and chronological age, I will provide you with some music therapy ideas. Because people with autism often have sensory integration issues, music can help in various ways. Even if the client is highly sensitive to sounds, music offers structure and can be adapted to just the right amount of sensory input by tempi, dynamics, and range.
It is very important to chose the right tool for the client based on their reported likes and dislikes. For example, does the person enjoy melodic sounds or rhythmic sounds, loud or soft, and fast or slow? An important melodic tool that can be adapted to almost every degree is an autoharp. It is a stringed instrument that can be played loudly or softly; fast or slow, and with rhythmical harmony or melody. The client may choose to play or listen, feel the vibrational effect or not, and he/she may participate or end participation immidiately. The autoharp also offers the option of space. A client may use the autoharp close to another person or on the other side of the room, this is another important choice for an autistic client.
Check out the video blog marked Autoharp under Music Theray tools for a demonstration.
If a person with autism does not like string sounds, I like to offer a rhythmic booming instrument such as drums. I have found through experience that a client will prefer one sound over another. A drum that often grabs their attention is a large gathering drum. This can be played at full capacity (loud) volume or can be dampered for softer sounds. Check for postings on this drum as well marked Gathering Drum under Music Therapy Tools.
As a music therapist, I practice immediate success with each client and bringing up challenges within reach. As I get to know the person and their capabilities, those challenges are adjusted.
This is a demonstration of the gathering drum; specifically Lynn Kleiner’s Gathering Drum.
The sound on the video is discouraging for me because it does not do the real sound of this great instrument any justice. This drum really is a hit with all groups and individuals. The only exception would be those very sensitive to loud, booming sound. Even clients that have some sensitivity to hearing those booming sounds still enjoy this instrument while playing on it themselves. This is a great diagnostic tool and can provide some incredible therapeutic moments.
Here is a “Hello” song that I have been using for many years on the autoharp. It is very simple, with simple I, V7, I chord progression. It has a question at the end that may be adaptable for various clients or topics of the session. It allows the client to express him/herself directly to the song. I love it, it works with all ages and diagnosis, and many clients I have worked with start singing this song before any other.
The quality of the sound in the video is not as nice as I had hoped. I will be working on this issue soon.
The autoharp is one of my favorite Music Therapy tools. It can be used with almost any population or clientele. It provides immediate sensory feedback, adaptation to needs, and success. It can be played melodically or harmonically. It can also be played loudly and softly. The autoharp also allows as much interpersonal connection preferred by placing the instrument in various positions.
I’ve recorded a demonstration introducing the autoharp. It simply shows the instrument and how I introduce it to a client. It does not include any songs used; although I always open a session with a “Hello” song. If you would like more information on the autoharp and activities, please feel free to leave any questions or comments.
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