Personal Facilitation Experiences
“I have had the opportunity to do drumming and percussion interventions multiple times in my music therapy practice but have never had the chance to do a true Arthurian circle. Having just returned from my first Hawaii Playshop I wanted to incorporate this learning into my clinical practice and see what happened.
I am like a kid in a candy store right now thinking about what I was able to offer my patients today.
I facilitated a small circle of 6-7 male patients on an inpatient psychiatric unit. I had my MT intern in the group to provide a steady beat and multiple other staff members to provide a good balance of instruments. Although small we were able to have a fair balance of drums, woods, and shakers.
It of course was very easy to see and hear what didn't work - if you don't telescope the accent beats you want them to play they don't play them - if you are too complex with the call and response beats it doesn't work, hmmmm - KISS Heather KISS!!!! (keep it simple!)
I found myself GOOW (get out of the way) quite often just to listen to them and hear what was happening in the music. Then aha - there came that moment, that transformative time while I was standing outside of the circle listening it became about the music. It was no longer music therapist and patients, no longer techniques, no longer about me and them, it was about the music……….”
—Heather Hodorowski
Music Therapist
Chicago, IL
