Please note that this course has already taken place. However, if you are interested in having this course being taught at a host site or via zoom to your group please reach out to us at info@DMHmuictherapy.com
Dates: October 4 & 11th 10am-1pm EST (two 3-hour meetings)
Platform: Synchronous via zoom
Recordings: Both class meetings will be recorded and available for those who are unable to attend
Cost: $125 USD early bird through September 9th & $150 USD regular registration (After September 9th)
Student Discount: $99 USD early bird $ $125 USD regular registration
Cancelation Policy: No Refunds after August 31, 2024
Musical themes are the “playing field” for musical interaction in which clients are provided with opportunities to engage and express. Through the creation of themes that are built around the client’s musical, behavioral, and/or emotional cues clients may experience empathy, predictability and feelings of safety that can enhance the relational music making experience. This course explores the intersection between clinical-musical themes and syntax and how they serve as a foundation for providing opportunities for engagement.
This course will provide participants with a practical guide to crafting musical themes with clinical intent. Topical areas include: 1) developing repeatable melodic themes with voice and guitar accompaniment, 2) solidifying themes to construct musical form, such as A-B-A, 3) employing clinical techniques of empathy and elicitation within the musical process of crafting themes, and 4) navigating shifts between client-led and therapist-led initiatives to construct musical form such as A-B-A
Clinical video, demonstration, and experientially based learning will be used throughout the course to illustrate concepts and practice techniques. The course will be taught remotely within a guitar & voice context and thus fundamental accompaniment guitar skills are required. Several major and minor chord progressions will be demonstrated and workshopped as a means of creating A-B-A form.
2-day Course Schedule/Agenda
Defining terms
- Client Centered & Reflexivity
- Relationship-based
Musical form (using A-B-A form as a context)
- A-B-A Form
- Musical theses are clinical themes
Client centered in the context of musical form
- Musically being reflexive
- Following the client’s lead
- Clinical implications of musical form
Improvising themes
- Clinical use of repetition & repeatable melodies/themes
- Turning improvised melodies into themes
- Musical & clinical techniques techniques to create form
- Flexing the musical elements and variations
What makes up an “A” section?
- Clinical intent of an “A” section
- Improvising your “A” section based on Client-led approach
- Committing to your music & theme while being reflexive and “in-the-moment”
Clinical techniques: Empathy & Client-led
- Importance of repetition for self-regulation, trust, safety & predictability
- “A” section creating the playing field for the encounter
- Musical frameworks: major/minor chord progressions
- The importance of voice & singing
What makes up a “B” section?
- When to move into a “B” section?
- Clinical intent of a “B” section: Therapist-led
- Improvising your “A” section based on Client-led approach
Clinical techniques: Elicitation, Redirection & Therapist-led
- Providing opportunities to expand the musical experience
- Navigating shifts between client-led and therapist-led initiatives to construct musical form such as A-B-A
Practice tips
- Exercises and reviewing materials
- Musical resources
NOTE: Each class meeting will be video recorded and made available to participants who are unable to attend.
Questions? Email us at info@DMHmusictherapy.com