A New Friday Tradition

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In the spirit of Friday fun, I’ve decided to begin a new weekly post: Rachel’s Friday Faves! Since I mostly write posts about my songs and my music therapy work, I thought this would be a good chance for you to get to know me better. So each week, I’ll choose a “fave” thing, activity, person, website, anything…as long as it relates to music in one way or another. After all, that is the theme of this blog :)

So today, my “fave” is my brand new Ibanez Troubadour analog acoustic amp. I bought it for my guitar, since my hope is to start reaching bigger audiences, and I couldn’t be happier with it. Here’s the little beauty in all of its glory:

Ok, so it’s not the prettiest thing to look at, but the sound is wonderful, and that’s all that really matters. It also has two channels, so I can plug in my guitar and microphone at the same time. Plus, it makes practicing a lot more fun. And as if that weren’t enough, here’s an added bonus: my fingers are thanking me for not strumming as hard as usual!

So that’s my inaugural “Friday Fave” – stay tuned for many, many more. And, of course, check in daily for new songs and activities. Have a splendid day!

Learning To Set the Table

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When I was in seventh grade, we spent an entire unit of my home economics class learning to set the table properly. Now, many years later, I still sometimes mix up which side the fork, knive, and spoon are placed (just ask my mom, who knows from experience). So if a fully capable adult can’t always keep it straight, how can we expect a child to always set the table? By singing a song about it, of course!

At breakfast lunch and dinner,
Right before we eat,
We have to set the table,
The rules are short and sweet:

First comes the plate, it’s big and round:
Take it out of the cupboard and set it down.
Next comes the fork, everyone knows:
To the left of the plate is where it goes.

After that the knife and spoon:
To the right of the plate, we’ll be using soon.
Last are napkins and a cup,
Now our table is set so let’s eat up!

At breakfast lunch and dinner,
Right before we eat,
We have to set the table,
The rules are short and sweet!

And that’s all there is too it. I’ll just have to remind myself to sing this song at our next family dinner as I set the table. Happy dining!

Time for a Haircut

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Certain situations can bring on anxiety to children, especially those with autism or any other disability. Among those situations are visiting the doctor or dentist, venturing into a large public place, and our focus today: haircuts.

The song I wrote for this occasion tells the story, step-by-step, so that children know exactly what to expect on their trip to the barber or salon. It goes like this:

My hair is getting too long,
And that’s why I’m singing this song.
So after a while, when I need a new style,
I’ll tell you what I do:

I get a haircut, haircut.
First comes the shampoo.
Then sit in the chair, where they’ll cut my hair,
And when the trimming’s through,

Time to blow dry and brush my hair,
Say thank you and goodbye.
It’s easy and fun, and now that it’s done,
I have a ‘do that looks brand new!

Your hair is getting too long,
And that’s why I’m singing this song.
It’s been a while, time for a new style,
Now you know just what to do!

Counting Pumpkins

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It’s time for the first official installment of “Counting Time” – which you can read more about here. This month we’re counting pumpkins, which I’m sure will not come as a big surprise to you all :)

Each month, the “Counting Time” tune stays the same but the items we count will change. You can listen for yourself:

Counting time, it’s counting time,
So let’s all sing this simple rhyme.
Ten little pumpkins in a row,
Now let’s count them nice and slow!

One, two, three, four, five,
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
Again!
One, two, three, four, five,
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

How many pumpkins?
Ten little pumpkins!
All lined up in a row.

Faster is Better

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When I was a child, I loved songs that sped up as I sang them – songs like John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt and The Song That Never Ends. I found a great song in the “Learning Through Music” songbook called I Don’t Care if the Rain Comes Down, which my students absolutely love.

However, we’ve been singing it for months now, and I decided it was time for a new slow-to-fast song. I just wrote it, so it hasn’t been tested and approved yet, but I’m not too worried. I stuck with the formula, and this is what I came up with:

I know a song that starts out slow.
I like to sing it everywhere I go.
My friends join in an then we begin
To speed it up a little bit.

Keep up with me, keep up with me
Sing it loud or sing it quietly
Whatever you do, don’t fall behind,
Or else we’ll have to rewind.

So there you have it. The only problem with songs like these is that the kids always want to sing it faster, even when I’ve reached my maximum guitar-playing speed. But as long as they’re having fun, that’s what matters :)

It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon, but I’ve been inside recording and working all day. The beginning of each month is a little busier than usual, but soon things will settle down and I’ll have a little more time for relaxing. Oh, the life of a music therapist!