The drum has always been an inexhaustible tool for the music therapist to use in countless ways. When working with students with speech disorders and related issues, I find that drumming coordinates the mind, body, and voice! The timing, sensory motor involvement, and feedback provided during drum play makes it an invaluable tool to build speech skills.
I utilize a basic three-step approach in using the drum to improve fluency skills. In conjunction with visual speech sheets, I have found that this approach can be adapted to use with most any age and population.
1. Create a short sentence and play the drum as you speak every word.
2. Say each word in the sentence again, but only the play the drum on the marked words (or stressed words) in the sentence.
3. Say each word in the sentence again, but only play the drum on the first stressed word.
To see how I visually map this out for clients, and to see specific examples, click on the free download below.
Wade is a board-certified music therapist and one of the directors at Spectrum Creative Arts. He completed additional training programs in Orff-Schulwerk, Neurologic Music Therapy, and Performance Wellness. As a songwriter and creative writer, Wade has authored several music resource books for music therapy and music education.