Curriculum

MTD is a curriculum that includes percussion and rhythm skills that are designed to increase the capacity for a Music Therapist to effectively use drums, percussion instruments, traditional rhythms, and percussion-based music experiences within the music therapy setting.

The Music Therapy Drumming curriculum is designed and taught by music therapists who are professional percussionists with years of experience in music performance and clinical settings.

 Three Curriculum Focus Areas:

1. Instrumental Technique
2. Rhythm
3. Musical/Clinical Development

Drumming and Percussion Technique

Participants will demonstrate improved technique on percussion instruments common to music therapy , enhancing their sound quality and efficiency. Increased percussion skills offer a musical palette with which to create your own therapeutic strategies.

• Kalani Percussion Actions and Skills
• Traditional Instrumental Technique
  • Hand Drums
  • Frame Drums
  • Bass Drums
  • Common Auxiliary Instruments

Rhythmic Development

Through experiencing percussion music, and through the Rhythmic Acuity Measurement Scale, participants will demonstrate improvement in their own rhythmic development leading to enhanced musical abilities across all instrumentation. Ensemble play and group improvisation exercises create a real-time component to your rhythmic development that easily integrates into clinical work. Feedback, developmental tools, and resources help participants to create their own long-term goals.

• Essential Rhythmic Frameworks
• Pulse Feel
• Pushed Feel
• Linear/Sequenced Rhythmic Play
• Polyphonic/Simultaneous Rhythmic Play
• Traditional Rhythms
• Rhythmic Grounding
• Rhythmic Acuity

Musical/Clinical Development

Percussion play in therapy is offered with a focus on best practice and aesthetic quality. Clinical approaches are based in theory, research, and clinical experience with all populations. Participants will identify trends in current research. Participants will also integrate their percussion skills into :

• Musical Improvisation
• Clinical Improvisation
• Composition
• Re-creative Music Experiences
• Receptive Music Experiences
• Salient Qualities of Percussion in/as Therapy

Level One Curriculum Details

Level Two Curriculum Details