Posts Tagged ‘emotional goals’
Song Spotlight: “Cuddle Up a Little Closer, Lovey Mine”
Mood: Sentimental, tender Theme: Love, physical tenderness Tempo: Relaxed Genre/style: Popular/Easy Listening Love songs appear frequently in music therapy sessions, especially when the goal is bringing loved ones together in the music. There are so many GOOD love songs, too, which is to be expected, I guess, since love has been the subject of artists of…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “How Ya Gonna Keep ’em Down on the Farm?”
Mood: Lighthearted, Goofy Themes: Country life vs. City life, Returning from War Tempo: Upbeat Genre/style: 1920s popular song Something you find out about songs is that if you ponder them long enough and share them with enough people, multiple layers of meaning begin to emerge. Those layers may be deliberate on the part of the…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “Don’t Fence Me In”
Mood: Relaxed Themes: Country life, Cowboys, Restrictions, Being “Fenced In” Tempo: Moderate Genre/style: Western/Cowboy Being in the Midwest, I run into a lot of folks who love country and western music. “Don’t Fence Me In” is one of my very favorite songs to offer when western music is requested, for two reasons: It’s popular, so a lot of people can…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: "What a Wonderful World"
Mood: Relaxed, Romantic Themes: Love/Romance, School, Lack of Academic Knowledge Tempo: Relaxed walking speed Genre/style: 1950s soul Among my favorite songs to celebrate school is Sam Cooke’s song “(What A) Wonderful World.” It starts with these words: Don’t know much about history Don’t know much biology Don’t know much about a science book Don’t know much about…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “Swingin’ in a Hammock”
Mood: Relaxed Themes: Relaxation, Romance, Vacation, Leisure Tempo: Slow rocking feel to moderate Genre/style: 1930s popular Okay, I know that summer is pretty much over for school-aged kids, but it’s still pretty warm here in Kansas City, and summer won’t officially end for over a month. That means I feel justified sharing a song that I…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “Sloop John B”
Mood: Upbeat Themes: Sailing, Caribbean Travel, Wanting to Go Home Tempo: Brisk Genre/style: 1960s Surf Rock During the recent heat wave in our part of the world, I have been integrating the recording of “Sloop John B” by the Beach Boys into group music therapy sessions centered on the ocean and boating. Not only does this song provide beach-y musical…
Read MoreI see you. I hear you. I am with you.
Song Spotlight: “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”
Mood: Silly Themes: Swimming, Summer, Trips to the Beach, Wardrobe Selection Tempo: Walking speed Genre/style: 1960s Novelty song Ahhh, summertime. For many people, the hot days of July go hand in hand with trips to the beach (or, here in Kansas City, the swimming pool). This is certainly true for many of my younger music therapy clients. Perhaps…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine”
Mood: Wistful, Thoughtful Themes: Parenting, Mistakes, Forgiveness/Atonement Tempo: Moderate Genre/style: Country With Father’s Day coming up this Sunday, I wanted to share my favorite song for this holiday. “That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine” was a song I learned in my first year as a music therapist on the special request of a client in hospice care. It…
Read MoreTime for the Big Move? Music Therapy Can Help
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with Dolly Wittman, the president of Caring Transitions here in Kansas City. Her company exists to help people – especially seniors – who are moving to a new living situation and are in need of help figuring out where to go and what to do with all…
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