Composing and Presenting Greeting Songs
Greeting songs can serve a variety of purposes such as to gather a groups' attention and focus, to gather a groups' "energy" in order to help modulate it for the work to be accomplished during the session, or simply to signal the start of a music therapy session. Content-wise, greeting songs should:
(a) INVITE or WELCOME clients into the music therapy session/process,
(b) engender a feeling of TOGETHERNESS among clients and therapist, and
(c) establish MUSIC engagement as the purpose for this important time.
Greeting songs are not appropriate for all ages and clinical populations (for example, adult psychiatric populations).
Greeting songs are rarely followed by verbal processing, which may quickly dissipate energy that may be important for the work of the session. Greeting songs can stand alone as functional/meaningful music experiences.
For children, a greeting song helps establish a recognizable/predictable routine for music therapy sessions. Children come to trust that "music time" is for them- and that they will have opportunities to experience the joy of music making alone and with others. The same is true for geriatric, adolescent, and some adult MR/DD populations, however the song style and content must be age appropriate. Some form of greeting song is commonly used with elderly clients to elicit energy or capture their attention at the start of a session.
Considerations for Composing Greeting Songs
Consider:
what roles might be required for the Music Therapist and/or for the Client?
song content; remember that lyrics often convey a message.
demands on clients' energy and skill levels.
the musical character (style & mood) and what it conveys.
MATCH the CHARACTER of the MUSICAL STYLE and the LYRIC CONTENT. (i.e., good song writing technique!)
Song Content: Lyrically Simple (geared toward age, development, and comprehension level)
Potential Song Topics:
*Names
*Words of Welcome; Hello, etc. Adverbs: joining- sharing- gathering- coming together- being together- unity- preparing...
Use repetition of key words or phrases
*Notice of one another and/or characteristics (clothing, hair color, eye color) (Therapist, too)
*Interactions with one another- musical/non-musical
Presentation of Greeting Songs:
Use the ISO Principle: Consider the group’s/individual’s MOOD- match this via DYNAMICS AND/OR TEMPO
Play from memory with clear voice and inviting affect
Make eye contact with ALL before the tune is over- this speaks to the length of the tune as well as your attention to the clients
Be Flexible MUSICALLY as well as clinically/interpersonally- you are setting the tone for the session- USE THE MUSICAL ELEMENTS
Clear accompaniment- little or no pedal on piano for rhythmic clarity (too much pedal builds energy and thickens the texture)
Have the musical Form clear in your mind BEFORE you begin
Play through the entire tune - (later teach the song by rote, if necessary)
Will clients be expected to SING? Support their efforts with eye contact, affirmative head nods, smile, brief praise
Will clients be expected to MOVE to the music? Support the movement through modeling movement ideas & providing a strong beat
Will clients play instruments? Select instruments for each client's success. This is the beginning of the session; wait to challenge them until they are warmed-up and ready.
Will clients be sitting/standing? Sitting helps 'ground' clients (children, especially). Standing should naturally lead to moving. Is this what you want?