Using Music as Meditation through Mindfulness Meditation has become a topic of interest among the 21st century crowd and people of all backgrounds. High-prolific people such as Jerry Seinfeld (one of the most successful entertainers in the world), Ray Dalio (founder of the world’s largest hedge fund), and Oprah Winfrey (media executive and talk show host, … Read more
Establishing Relevant Goals in Music Therapy The American Music Therapy Association defines music therapy as “the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program”. What happens during a music therapy assessment? During a music therapy … Read more
Over the course of the years I have watched students come into their lesson and play for me what they practiced during the week. Some times we have great lessons in which they apply the technique learned from the previous class. Other times, the student displays difficulties on issues that were not present the week … Read more
Just how no two children are alike, music therapy sessions vary from client to client. What goes on inside a session depends greatly on your child’s/client’s needs and preferences. A typical session will include a hello song to indicate the start of the session, music interventions to work on social/emotional, perceptual/motor, language/communication, preacademic, and musical … Read more
Step one: Get a music therapy degree You can get a Bachelor’s or Equivalency Degree, but it has to be music therapy specifically. A combination of music and psychology is not enough, because there are required courses specific to the practice music therapy that you won’t get anywhere else. Step two: Complete an internship Most internships take … Read more
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne. Jubilant singing rings out in a packed Times Square at exactly midnight every January 1st. The old Scottish phrase “auld lang syne” stands out, a small piece of lingual and musical history bridging into … Read more
1. The oldest discovered musical instrument is 40,000 years old Two flutes found in a cave in Germany are made of bird bone and mammoth ivory. These instruments are dated to what is considered the prehistoric period of music, or the time before music was notated. Due to the lack of notation, it’s difficult to … Read more
Playing an instrument doesn’t feel the same as playing a sport. When you play a sport, you’re on your feet, you might be sweaty and out of breath, you feel your muscles burn and ache. Playing an instrument is usually done sitting down, breathing slowly and carefully, and using fine motor movements in your elbows, … Read more
Here are a few tips to help your music practice (or any other practice, for that matter) become more efficient and helpful, rather than discouraging and upsetting. Slow down When you’re learning, it takes time for your brain and body to synchronize. Give plenty of space for synchronization to happen by taking things very, … Read more
Anyone who studied music knows that learning an instrument is so much more than meets the eye. The discipline and perseverance involved ultimately make you a better person in life, and here’s why: Learning How to Learn Research has shown that the best way to learn is through spaced repetition–repeating a few times across several … Read more