BLOGS
Educational blogs for parents and professionals
The drum set every music therapist "must have"!
When I first began my music therapy practice over ten years ago, I carried around a small suitcase full of rhythm and percussive instruments. I also took with me a heavy hand-carved African djembe drum. I would often have a sore back at the end of a long day. I would often wish they made these things lighter!
And wishes often do come true. A few years later that I discovered Remo’s Sound Shapes®. These were a blessing to me as I'm sure they are to music therapists around the world! These are fun, colorful, stackable and light drums that you can carry under your arm. Oh, and they also come in packs of 6, so you are totally set up for a group.
I have used these drums in the following ways to support children with developmental disabilities.
- Pre-Reading Skills - Playing and matching colors from left to right.
- Gross-Motor Skills - Playing the drums and moving them from high to low and from left to right.
- Color Recognition - Reading and matching colors to each drum
- Social Skills - Taking turns, listening to each other and sharing drums with one another.
I have even created an early music education exercise to help children learn the fundamentals of music, music note value and colors with REMO Sound Shapes®.
I think you’ll find these drums very useful and easily portable in your music therapy sessions. I have used them primarily for children but I'm sure you can find them useful for all ages and populations.
For more details on REMO Sound Shapes® Click Here!
Remo also makes connectors that you can use to join the drums together to make a full drum set.
For more details on REMO Sound Shapes® connectors Click Here!
Here are other Remo products that I recommend:
To find out more about Remo click here!
For Free songs, videos and tips on how to support children with special needs through music click here!
Let's Stay in Touch!
Please share, pin, like and leave your comments below as we love to hear from you!
FREE Christmas Song - Christmas is a Time
This is one of my favorite times of the year as I'm sure it is for many others as well.
The most favorite part of the season for me, is getting out the large selection of Christmas CD's I've collected over the years and playing them over and over. Somehow, I just never get tired of traditional Christmas tunes. They always tend to get me into the spirit of Christmas. It's kinda magical!
Speaking of getting into the spirit of Christmas, I was inspired to write an original song of my own. I began to reflect on all the things that Christmas mean to me, such as carols, giving gifts and playing in the snow (when I lived in Canada!). The song is called, Christmas is a Time.
In the spirit of giving I would love to share this song with you, your family and your child for FREE!!! I invite you to write your own lyrics to help your child refelct and create their own personal Christmas experiences within the song.
This FREE download includes:
- track - vocals
- track - instrumental (so you can make up your own lyrics)
- lyric and chord sheet
- sheet music
To download the song you can click on either image or click here.
I hope you and your family enjoy this song and in the spirit of giving, please share it with others! I'd also love to hear what Christmas traditions you and your family celebrate and use in the song.
Happy Holidays Everyone! And cheers to a prosperous and happy new year!
Musically,
John Mews, MA, MTA
Executive Director
Music Therapist