Free Download: “Little Red Apples”
This is one of many counting songs I’ve written, which focuses on counting both up to 5 and down from 5. I created simple apple visual aides (using red construction paper and then laminating) which my students can then manipulate as we count.
Click here to download the mp3 and lyrics/chords.
P.S. If you want access to my entire collection of over 200 songs (mp3, lead sheet, and instrumental track), videos, tutorials, and visual aides, plus ALL new releases from Listen & Learn Music, consider joining me over at Listen & Learn Plus!
Start of a New School Year
The following is a guest blog post by Lisa Barnett, a fellow music therapist and songwriter in Michigan. Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your wonderful resources with us!
{GGB 69} Confessions of a Music Therapist
This week it’s just me, recording a solo episode for the first time since the beginning of the summer. I’ve been having so much fun chatting with my co-host, Jaime, and I hope you’ve been enjoying our episodes together, too.
But in today’s episode, I want to address a topic that I haven’t talked much about publicly, hence this week’s title. The confession I’m about to make is one that I’ve held back from sharing because honestly, I’ve been a little scared to, especially amongst my fellow music therapists.
A Bittersweet Rite of Passage: School Supply Shopping
As a kid, going shopping with my mom for school supplies was one of my favorite things ever. I carefully chose the perfect pens, folders (Lisa Frank, anyone?!), and notebooks to fill up my new backpack.
That said, I wasn’t quite as excited to take my son school supply shopping for the very first time. Going through this rite of passage means acknowledging that a) summer is coming to an end, b) my first baby is growing up, and c) life as we know it is about to change in a big way.
Shaking Up, Down, & All Around…Old School Style
One of my favorite things about music is that it can trigger memories, reminding us of good times or special people. “Shake, Rattle & Roll” always reminds me of listening to cassette tapes on the way to music lessons with my grandparents, and I am thrilled to be able to utilize this song in music therapy!
{GGB 68} Travel Tales
A common theme of summer is TRAVEL. It’s one of my favorite things to do, but it can also be a bit stressful, whether you’re traveling with or without your family.
In this episode of the podcast, Jaime and I are talking all about how we handle both kinds of travel — as moms and as business owners.
My Top Three Favorite (and Effective!) Stretchy Band Songs
Most of the therapeutic tools in my collection are incredibly versatile and can be used to address a number of different goals. One of my favorite tools is the stretchy band.
When used in a group setting, a stretchy band can bring about social awareness to children (“wait, so you’re telling me there are other kids attached to this thing?!”) along with targeting other important areas of development.
A Must-Read for Every Music Therapist
About a year and a half ago, my proverbial plate was fuller than ever. I had a 3 year old, a one year old, students and clients numbering in the double digits, several classes, and two businesses.
It was around that same time that I learned about Ami Kunimura’s new ebook, Resilience Over Burnout: A Self-Care Guide for Music Therapists, and it was exactly the resource I needed in that season.
The Toolbox Song
I’m excited to share “The Toolbox Song” with you because it truly is one of the most effective tools in my musical toolbox (pun totally intended).
More Than Just Tapping: All The Ways to Use Rhythm Sticks
One of the most versatile instruments in my musical arsenal is definitely rhythm sticks. There are SO many things you can do with rhythm sticks, and SO many goals that can be targeted, too!
Lucky for us, Listen & Learn Music has some great goal-oriented songs designed to be used with rhythm sticks, and included in the collection are songs suitable for the youngest of clients as well as middle schoolers.
{GGB 67} Wearing Multiple Hats in Music Class
There is a whole lot of crossover when it comes to being both a music therapist and a mom…especially when you teach early childhood classes and have young children. Jaime and I can check both of those boxes, and have a whole lot of experience playing both the role of music class teacher and mom at the same time.
In Episode 67 of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast, we talk all about having our own kids attend our music classes: the benefits, the drawbacks, the funny and memorable moments. This episode is a fun one whether or not you’ve played these dual roles yourself!