Summer Sounds Virtual Jam Sessions
I have the unique opportunity of completing my internship during a pandemic. Before my internship, I didn’t have any experience leading music therapy sessions virtually. I am thankful to be working with music therapists who adapted quickly to making music therapy happen through screens and speakers.
One of the ways the Music Therapy Center of California has adapted to virtual music therapy is by piloting a virtual jam session program. Our Summer Sounds program is for teens with special needs. Every Wednesday night July-August, they learn social skills through music.
Making live music over Zoom can be challenging due to the delay of sound. To accommodate for that, we ask our clients to keep themselves muted while the music therapist is leading. In drum circles, we begin with the therapist leading the beat and demonstrating various hand signals for how to play (ie. start, stop, loud, soft). Next, we give an opportunity for clients to use the hand signals to conduct the drum circle. When they are leading, we spotlight their video so that they are the focus of the Zoom call.
Virtual jam sessions require a team to ensure the program runs smoothly. Typically, one therapist facilitates while the other supports by screen sharing the visual slide show, controlling which person is in the spotlight, and muting/un-muting individuals as they speak to the group.
A unique aspect of hosting jam sessions over Zoom, is that we can use virtual polls for the group to vote on their song preferences. Adjusting to virtual music therapy can be challenging; however, if you embrace the technology you can use it to your advantage!
For more information about virtual music therapy, visit a previous intern’s blog post on the topic.
-Emma
