Hill: using what I learned

A meaningful learning experience I had this week occurred in the percussion lab of Thomas Keemss.
What caught my attention: Although I have taught percussion techniques to elementary and middle school students for years, took an undergraduate class in percussion way back in 1980, and have helped lead a drum circle more recently, I learned concepts that I had not considered before. Our teacher taught us a concept of notating using all four limbs, as well as how to notate two handed drumming. He also showed us how to start with one hand and slowly add limbs to create an intricate pattern without instruments and eventually adding vocals.

What I learned as a result: I learned several things that I can use in future drum circles, as well as sessions with clients. First, I had never been taught the proper way to play a conga or djembe: tilting away from the body so the bottom is open. Second I learned a simple drum pattern using different parts of the drum head for different sounds. He also showed us different ways to use the hands, using the finger joints as landmarks, always starting very simply and slowly building to more complicated rhythms and patterns.

How this learning experience affected my understanding of music therapy: our textbook speaks of using sensory stimulation provided by improvising as bringing “physical gratification, pleasure, and a welcome release of physical energy” ( page 142). I now feel more confident in my ability to use percussion instruments with my clients, no matter their age or diagnosis. Although our instructor apologized often for his “poor English skills”, I feel he communicated many new ideas along with a certain joyousness for using percussion instruments.