Unconventional Ways of Playing Percussion Instruments in Music Therapy

Although the correct way to play percussion instruments is used in a professional performance setting, some of the techniques and physical requirements may not be practical for all clients in a Music Therapy setting due to a client's physical or cognitive abilities. The American Music Therapy Association defines Music Therapy as the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Within a Music Therapy session, it is not uncommon to use a percussion instrument, however, it may be uncommon to see the instruments being played as demonstrated in a percussion textbook. Just like most things in life, there is never only one way of doing something. In my presentation, I will demonstrate six alternative ways of using percussion instruments in a music therapy setting with a focus on specific domains. These domains include gross motor, fine motor, sensory, social, and musicality. Each technique is presented in the form of a Music Therapy intervention.