When Words Fail, Music Speaks... or tickles

I don’t always talk about the work that I do in music therapy as I find it one of the most difficult subjects to discuss. The very nature of music is intangible, yet it has a visceral effect on people. Many folks have tried to explain music and its impact on us in scientific terms, and I think that’s amazing, to see how sound can ignite so many neural pathways and biological responses.  I do feel that it transcends the neurological processes into the inexplicable soulish realm. There will always be something mysterious about the effect creative arts have on us that we can never put our finger to.

 

Today, however, I will share a quick anecdote about music and its effect on us and how music therapist use it in a session.

 

I work primarily with children of all abilities. In music therapy sessions, I use music to invite children to engage meaningfully in music. ( yes… there can be meaningless engagement too). There are times when I use music to provoke a response. Depending on the need and the purpose in that moment, the rhythm, chords, and melodic motifs would change.

 

So this week, I was working with a little one. He has a certain degree of sensory integration challenge which makes him seek occasional input by pressing on things, leaning or sometimes, lying down. The latter is not quite the most effective way to engage in instrument playing or in the session. We have also been working on that as it is not the safest of behaviours especially if he is outdoors.

 

Whenever he does so, I would sing a “let’s sit up” song and he responds accordingly. However, over time, its effectiveness seem to wane a little. So I added a little play to it. Whenever he is lying down, I would play a stealthy theme and sing, “ The dust mites in the cracks of the floor, took a deep breath! Hmmmmm….. I smell somebody’s hair on the floor.” The little one would giggle and sit up.

 

This week, however, he laid down for a longer time. Perhaps he was just being comfortable; maybe tired; or testy? I wouldn’t really know. However, he was getting some good musical groove going just before this. So when the mite line didn’t achieve its intended effect,  I sang a few more words, “…and the mites started climbing up his arms, to his neck… and ears!” and held a chord.

 

He didn’t budge.

 

I held the chord for a few moments and suddenly switched to a rapid ascending chromatic scale a minor third apart from the middle to the higher registers. The musical effect was instantaneous. He covered both ears with his hands and squealed, “ STOP!” and got back to his music chair. Both of us had a good laugh.

 

When words fail, music speaks... or tickles! 

 

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