Rejuvenation

Being a relatively new music therapist (6 months!), I find myself to get into a slump every three months. I'm not sure if this will be an ongoing trend, but something I have already picked up on. I started my new job at Music Therapy Services of Cincinnati in October, took a week off between Christmas and New Years and then just took another week off at the end of March for my spring break.

At the end of each three month period, I am pooped...emotionally, physically, and my energy and creativity is almost non-existent. Being a therapist and working so closely with children and adults that require my full attention, I feel like it is unhealthy to work in these conditions.

This is my first day back at work...and yes, I am tired, but already excited for new ideas that are pouring out of my head. You know that dread of going back to work, right? Well, I dreaded it just as much as anyone, but when I saw my clients again and the breakthroughs they make each week, makes me love and appreciate my job and work.

Also...this helps, too. A great boss who greets me with flowers when I return to work!



What do you do to refresh yourself as a therapist?

St. Patrick's Day

I found this song (set to the tune of "This is the Way We Wash Our Hands") in my boss's huge "Holiday Songs" binder. However, it talked about things my preschoolers would not understand...like corned beef and cabbage, and 'top of the morning', etc. I adapted it and this is what I came up with.

Two goals we are working on:

Numbering/sequencing of events
Body parts/naming and finding

This song is not only fun, but addresses these goals.

Lyrics (chords are G and D7):

This is a song for St. Patrick's day, St. Patrick's day, St. Patrick's day.
This is a song for St. Patrick's day, St. Patrick's day is a comin'.

Put the shamrock on your belly, on your belly, on your belly.
Put the shamrock on your belly, St. Patrick's day is a comin'.

Put the shamrock on your finger, on your finger, on your finger.
Put the shamrock on your finger, St. Patrick's day is a comin'.

Put the shamrock on your elbow, on your elbow, on your elbow.
Put the shamrock on your elbow, St. Patrick's day is a comin'.

This is a song for St. Patrick's day, St. Patrick's day, St. Patrick's day.
This is a song for St. Patrick's day, St. Patrick's day is a comin'.



Each student/participant gets a turn to pick three different body parts out of the bag. This allows for suspense and gives them a 'choice'. They then get to turn around to the group and place the "MAGIC SHAMROCK" on the appropriate body parts. After the 1st body part, I'll say, "What's next?" It is the classes turn to tell us what is next!

Adaptations: Instead of having one person do it at a time, you could make shamrocks for every participant. I have a class of 5-6 so everyone gets a turn.

The shamrock is a stock image I found on the internet, cut out, laminated, and then I taped a shape drum mallet to the back (nope, didn't have a popsicle stick)! Resourceful if I do say so myself!

Fields of Athenry

I started prepping for St. Patrick's Day last week, and when at one of my contracts, I asked clients and staff if they had any requests or favorite St. Patrick's day songs. I got the "Danny Boy" and "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" requests and then I got "Fields of Athenry" from one of the staff members. This particular staff member is always stumping me with new songs and bands I've never heard of. So...I had to learn it!

Good ole' YouTube helped me figure it out.


Fields of Athenry soundtrack

Here's the words and chords. The video is in E and I actually play it in C due to my range.



I plan on playing it one time through and then having my clients play softer instruments, work on 'softer' and maybe get them up to slow dance with a partner of the opposite sex.

What you guys think?

New Goodbye Song

Since it's a new month, it is also time for a new Goodbye song. Like previously stated, I like to keep my clients on their toes.

Here's my new Goodbye Song: Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye

I used the melody "With a Little Help From My Friends" by the Beatles.



What do you think?