There are a few people on the internet who I look up to immensely. Chris Guillebeau is one of them, which I’ve mentioned here before. All of my music therapy blogger friends fall into that category, as well. But before I discovered Chris, or met any of those music therapists, there was Hugh MacLeod.
Back in 2008, just prior to starting Listen & Learn, I came across an article on the internet called How To Be Creative. It inspired me so much that I printed it out, and then read it over and over again. I didn’t pay much attention to who wrote it, or where it came from, until I stumbled upon a book called Ignore Everybody at Barnes & Noble a year and a half later.
The best-selling book was based on that article, and the author was Hugh MacLeod, whose blog contains tons of other great articles and cartoons about marketing, social media, and being creative. Needless to say, I subscribed to his daily cartoon newsletter and added his blog to my Google Reader immediately.
Hugh’s latest book is called Evil Plans, a term which he defines as “a crazy, out-there idea that allows you to ACTUALLY start doing something you love, doing something that matters.” This is a book you open at 11 pm, tell yourself you’ll read one chapter before bed, and then before you know it, you’ve read five and don’t want to put it down. It’s inspiring, funny, and brutally honest.
Hugh says that everyone should have an evil plan. What’s yours?
(And yes…I have one. A few, actually. I promise I’ll spill the beans soon!)
This was my bible during my first year as a professional music therapist. Throughout the nine months prior that I spent in internship, I compiled songs that I thought might come in handy (or already had) for music therapy sessions. I’m so glad I took the time to do that way back when, because here I am, four years later…still referring back to it and adding new songs as I go.
Of course, not every song is relevant anymore, especially now that I write most of my own material. But every single song on my recent list of 12 Songs Every Music Therapist Should Know can be found in this giant binder, as are many of the songs I’m about to add to that list.
I received several requests for my FULL list of essential songs, and since I aim to please, here goes! Note: I am not elaborating on each one as I did in my original list, because if I did, you’d still be reading this tomorrow…
“A Noun is a Person, Place or Thing” (Schoolhouse Rock)
“Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” (The Beatles)
“The Rainbow Connection” (Kermit the Frog)
“The Raindrop Song”
“River of Dreams” (Billy Joel)
“Seasons of Love” (Rent)
“Shake Your Sillies Out”
“Side by Side”
“Someone to Watch Over Me”
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
“Stand By Me” (Ben E. King)
“Sunrise, Sunset” (Fiddler on the Roof)
“Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay!”
“Take Me Out to the Ballgame”
“This Little Light of Mine”
“Three is a Magic Number” (Schoolhouse Rock)
“Three Little Birds” (Bob Marley)
“The Time of Your Life (Good Riddance)” (Greenday)
“Top of the World” (The Carpenters)
“Twist and Shout” (The Beatles)
“Under the Boardwalk” (The Drifters)
“When You Wish Upon a Star” (Pinocchio)
“Wide Open Spaces” (Dixie Chicks)
“You Are My Sunshine”
“You Gotta Be” (Des’ree)
“You Raise Me Up” (Josh Groban)
“Your Smiling Face” (James Taylor)
“You’ve Got a Friend” (James Taylor)
“You’ve Got a Friend in Me” (Randy Newman)
“Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah”
Notice the nice little scroll box? Right around song #35, I decided it was mandatory. Hopefully I’ve given you some new ideas for songs to add to your own repertoire…and like my last “essential” songs post, I want to know: which tunes am I still missing?
P.S. Did you know that you can gain instant access to a vast collection of over 200 songs (mp3, lead sheet, and instrumental track), videos, tutorials, and visual aides, plus ALL new releases from Listen & Learn Music?
Every year, my husband and I look forward to our April vacation. In years past, we’ve gone to Palm Springs, Hilton Head, San Diego, San Antonio, and this year…Scottsdale (that’s our hotel, the Westin Kierland, pictured above). What do all five of those destinations have in common? They’re all much warmer than where we’re coming from.
Even though it’s April, it’s still not very spring-like in central Illinois. Seriously, temperatures in the 50s and low 60s…ugh. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, which is why I’m optimistically posting this song today:
Well it’s not too cold and it’s not too hot,
It’s warm, it’s warm.
Don’t need a coat, won’t sweat a lot,
It’s warm, it’s warm, it’s warm.
It’s warm outside, right in between
Spring is here, the trees are green
And so today we’ll play outside
Hop on our bikes, and take a ride
It’s warm, it’s warm, it’s warm.
Well it’s not too cold and it’s not too hot,
It’s warm, it’s warm.
Don’t need a coat, won’t sweat a lot,
It’s warm, it’s warm, it’s
Warm, not hot, not cold, just right.
Enjoy the day, it’s shining bright.
It’s warm, it’s warm, it’s warm.
Whether or not it actually starts to warm up here in the Midwest, I’m not worried about the temperatures where we’re headed tomorrow. Hello, 80 degrees and sunshine! Perfect weather for chilling out in the lazy river at our hotel (how cool is that?!) and exploring Scottsdale.
I most definitely won’t be spending much time on the computer while I’m away, but not to worry…I have blog posts ready and waiting to be posted. After all, vacation is no excuse to slack on my 365 in 2011 goal!
It’s raining, it’s pouring…but that’s what we expect in April, right? Luckily, I thought ahead and prepared all sorts of rainy day songs and activities for my students. Here are just a few of my favorites for rainy April days like this.
One staple of every classroom music therapy session at my school is the weather song. (If you’ve joined my newsletter, then you’ve already received a free download of my weather album.) Today’s song, of course, will be “Rainy Day” — or “Pitter Patter” as everyone around here calls it.
Pitter patter, pitter patter
Down comes the rain today
Clouds are forming in the sky,
Inside we’ll have to stay.
Thunder crashes, boom boom boom!
We see lightning too.
Don’t go outside,
Until the storm is through.
This picture book has been a staple in my collection of singable stories for years now. The illustrations that accompany the added verses about the old man are cute and funny, and the song is familiar to almost everyone.
And there are plenty of great songs out there about rainy days. At the top of my list are Leaky Umbrella by Jim Gill, Raindrop Pop by Bobs & LoLo, and The Raindrop Song from Barney. I also like to sing about rainbows throughout the month of April; one particular fave is We Are the Colors of the Rainbow by Holly Brook & Candy K.
And I can’t forget instruments! I’ll be pulling out my rainsticks, chiquitas, and thunder drums this month. Now it’s your turn: what are your favorite songs, books, and activities for rainy April days?
Just a few weeks ago, I featured a song called Red, Yellow and Green as a “Sunday Singalong” video. That song was a part of my safety theme in music therapy throughout the month of March, as was the song in this week’s video.
“Safety Comes First” originated as a request from a music therapist in California who was looking for a song that incorporated the rules of being around cars and parking lots. I’m so glad she asked me to write it, because I think it’s so important for my students to be educated on this topic, as well.
Welcome! I’m Rachel Rambach, board-certified music therapist and creator of Listen & Learn Music — educational songs and musical materials for children. I love sharing my work with you, along with my behind-the-scenes creative process, adventures in business ownership, and life as a mom of two.
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