When I was little, I’d sit in front of the TV on Saturday mornings just waiting for the music video of Kermit the Frog singing “The Rainbow Connection” to come on. From the first time I heard it, that song had a special place in my heart…and it still does.
“The Rainbow Connection” can be heard frequently inside the Music Therapy Connections studio, because I assign it to many of my beginning voice students. One such student is Grace, who did an absolutely beautiful job with this song. Although she’s only 10 years old, she could fool you with her big voice:
Another version I have absolutely fallen in love with is by jazz singer Jane Monheit, which you can listen to here. (Actually, she could record herself singing the phonebook and I’d buy it.)
Are you a fan of this song, too? I know I wasn’t the only little girl singing along with Kermit at the top of my lungs way back when…
I have a piano student who would like nothing more than to dive right into each piece, skipping all the intermediate steps and playing both hands together the first time he lays eyes on it. This, of course, causes lots of frustration for him (and me).
“Slow and steady” is a term I’m always using with him, and it applies to many of my other students, as well. Piano pieces aren’t mastered in a day, nor are music therapy goals achieved in a single session.
This song is one I wrote specifically for tone blocks, but my intention is that while my kiddos sing and play along, they are also internalizing the value of going “slow and steady” across settings and situations.
Slow and steady,
Slow and steady,
Ring-a-ding-ding. Ring-a-ding-ding.
Hear the pretty sound,
Echo all around,
Ring-a-ding-ding. Ring-a-ding-ding.
Slow and steady,
Slow and steady,
La-la-la-la-la. La-la-la-la-la.
Hear the pretty sound,
Echo all around,
La-la-la-la-la. La-la-la-la-la.
Slow and steady,
Slow and steady,
Ting-a-ling-a-ling. Ting-a-ling-a-ling.
Hear the pretty sound,
Echo all around,
Ting-a-ling-a-ling. Ting-a-ling-a-ling.
I’m sure you recognized the piggybacked tune, which has quite a calming effect on especially energetic groups (like my Church Mice). I also adapted this song for drums, changing the word sounds to “rum-pum-pum, pum”, “thump, thump, thump”, and “boom, boom, boom”.
As much as I love an upbeat song — and that is apparent if you go through my song collection — it’s always nice to take a breather. What are your favorite “slow and steady” tunes?
Please note that this is NOT a picture of my new waiting room. But these ARE the new couches I just purchased for it…minus the horribly patterned pillows (yuck!).
This past Saturday, my mom and I went shopping with the goal of finding the perfect waiting room furniture. You know when you have a mental picture of what you’re looking for, but you’ve never actually seen it? Well I had that mental picture, and I did in fact find the actual version of it in this sofa/loveseat combo.
However, we both absolutely despised the pillows that came with it, so try to ignore them in the picture above. Luckily, Amanda Ellis at More With Music has offered to make pillows for me! Not only that, but the Music Therapy Tween, Michelle Erfurt, is making some cute beanbag chairs for my little ones. Have I mentioned how much I love my fellow music therapy bloggers? :)
My new furniture is being delivered on May 9, so I’ll soon have some pictures of them in my actual waiting room to share with you. I’m still hunting for a coffee table of some sort, but I think I’ll wait to see how much room is left after the sofas are in place.
So what do you think? And if you have any decorating ideas that would complement them (along with the new flooring and yellow walls – here are some pictures to refresh your memory), let me know!
One of my favorite parts of being in high school show choir was singing at graduation every year. It was always a little bittersweet, especially the year I graduated, but I loved it. I’m not in school anymore, obviously, but I still get to sing at my students’ graduation.
Every May, one of my job duties at The Hope Institute is choosing and performing a graduation song. In years past, I’ve sung In My Life, Seasons of Love, You Raise Me Up and For Good. It’s always a big decision, and this year I’m a little stuck.
So far, here are the front-runners:
“My Wish” by Rascal Flatts
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” the Israel Kamakawiwo’ole version
“The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day
I know most of these are a bit dated, but I’m keeping in mind who the graduates are as well as the audience. So this is where I need your help: what options am I missing?! I’d really like to do something more current, however, I’m at a bit of a loss for ideas.
Happy Easter! After singing with my church choir in two services this morning, I’m looking forward to relaxing with my family and enjoying some yummy food. Maybe we’ll even dye some Easter eggs — I’m feeling inspired by this song!
I’m keeping this short today, because I know that many of us have plans on this special day that don’t involve reading blog posts :) Whatever those plans may be, have a wonderful holiday (or just a wonderful Sunday, if you don’t celebrate Easter).
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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