A Song Says a Thousand Words Songwriting in oncology music therapy Sarah Pearson, MMT, Music Therapist April 9, 2014 Music Care Webinar Series Room 217 Foundation
Today s presenter! Sarah Pearson, MMT, Music Therapist Grand River Regional Cancer Centre HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre Room 217 Foundation
Reflection: Fill in the blank Hope is gives me hope
Why songs matter [Songs are] our musical diaries, our life stories Bruscia, 1998
A personal journey with songwriting
HOW SONGWRITING HEALS Validating Expressing Meaning-Making Integrating
Three Methods of Songwriting Client-led lyrics Client-led lyrics and music Fill-in-the-Blank
Example #1 Learning from the River Reflecting back the client s words with music
Example #1 Learning from the River Learning from the River I know you re still close to what you lost But you won t have to lose her again. I offer you this sentiment, hopefully a solace for your soul And I know the memories will ebb and flow. So let these recollections take you where you want to And let the river whisper gently, flow softly into your peace And as the river flows into an azured, cerulean lake She will be waiting for you Where she ll walk with you and talk with you And you ll never have to lose her again
Example #1 Learning from the River Validating Collaborative Empowering Reflective
Song Structure Verse Chorus Verse Chorus Bridge Verse Chorus
Candle in the Wind Elton John Goodbye Norma Jean Though I never knew you at all You had the grace to hold yourself While those around you crawled They crawled out of the woodwork And they whispered into your brain They set you on the treadmill And they made you change your name chorus: And it seems to me you lived your life Like a candle in the wind Never knowing who to cling to When the rain set in And I would have liked to have known you But I was just a kid Your candle burned out long before Your legend ever did Loneliness was tough The toughest role you ever played Hollywood created a superstar And pain was the price you paid Even when you died Oh the press still hounded you All the papers had to say Was that Marilyn was found in the nud (repeat chorus) Goodbye Norma Jean Though I never knew you at all You had the grace to hold yourself While those around you crawled Goodbye Norma Jean From the young man in the 22nd row Who sees you as something more than sexual More than just our Marilyn Monroe
WHAT IS THE TAKEAWAY? WRITING A HEALING CHORUS
EXAMPLE #2 The Glue That Holds Us Together Group Songwriting with Caregivers
EXAMPLE #2 The Glue That Holds Us Together The Process
Early Snippets Our memories are the glue that holds us together I am who I am, you are who you are There are sides of me that I don t show We are fighting uphill battles I need your love, and I know I have it freely Your love for me keeps me alive I ll keep fighting Are we together on this journey? Love is what we do for each other Loneliness is the greatest disaster We are made up of the good and the bad Am I hearing what you really want to say?
EXAMPLE #2 The Glue That Holds Us Together The Process
The Song is Complete There are sides of me that I show There are sides of me no one will ever know You are who you are, I am who I am We are there for each other And the memories that we made they will last forever Chorus: The good and the bad, all our memories Are the glue that we have that holds us together The good and the bad, all our memories Love is what we do for each other Is what I hear you say what you said Are we together on this journey? Your love for me keeps me alive, And I need your love And I know I have it freely Chorus The battles they always feel uphill I will fight them stronger still I won t have to give in to fear I ll keep fighting year after year
Example #3 Fill-In-The-Blank Hope is gives me hope
The Rose Some say hope Some say hope Some say hope We say hope
Songwriting Can Happen Anywhere! Some suggestions: Artist-in-residency program Grant for CD project Workshops Music teachers Music therapists Coffee house projects Find a songwriting mentor Use fill-in-the-blank techniques
Get in touch! Sarah.pearson@grhosp.on.ca Grand River Regional Cancer Centre spearson@room217.ca Room 217 Foundation