Pass the Beat!

Greetings from Liz and Sue!  We are so excited about our blog that we just couldn't wait to share another idea!  Writing original songs for our music therapy sessions is something that we love to do.  Here is a song that Liz has used with students who are on the autism spectrum, students with cognitively impaired and students who are multiply impaired.  It's a really adaptable song that can be used with most any age group as well! 

Music therapy experience name: 

Pass the Beat

Materials needed:

Drums, sticks or other percussion instruments

Sheet music for "Pass the Beat" (see below)

accompanying instrument (optional)

number cards, foam number puzzle, dry erase board, etc. (optional)

Procedure:

Have students play their instruments together while the song is sung.  Sing once or several times depending on your group's needs.  Once you complete the song, use number cards, numbers that you write on a dry erase board, a number from a foam number puzzle, and/or tell students a number verbally.  Then go around the circle and have students individually play the designated number of times.  Repeat this procedure having students play a different number of times after each chorus. 

Extensions/Variations:

Let students choose the number of times that the group will play.  Using number cards or a foam puzzle allows non-verbal or low verbal students to make choices.  If you have a group that needs a challenge, have them imitate or read a rhythm pattern when they are taking turns passing the beat around the circle.

Here is the sheet music for "Pass the Beat".  Sing it with a bluesy feel.

This music therapy experience is so adaptable!  It can be done a cappella or using accompaniment.  I've done it both ways--depending on the group.  You can work on engagement in task, number identification, making choices, playing as part of an ensemble, taking turns, etc.  We'd love to hear how you use it with your groups!

Liz and Sue