What’s in my Music Therapy Bag?
A Music Therapist's Bag is a Mary Poppins Bag
As a recently graduated freelance music therapist, I do not yet have the luxury of working from my own office, or cabinet. Instead I intervene in various institutions or establishments, travelling around Marseille with bags of various instruments for my music therapy sessions.
I often get asked, as I jingle or rattle onto the bus or metro, “what do you have in there?”
Interestingly, this question is usually asked by curious old french ladies, holding small white dogs. I’m not sure what they think when I reply “musical instruments.”
However, I don’t just have musical instruments! Read on to find out what else I have in my music therapy bags for my music therapy sessions in a retirement home.
If you prefer a video, you can check out my Youtube channel where I have made a video showing what’s in my music therapy bags.
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Post continues after video – keep scrolling!
Musical Instruments in My Music Therapy Bag
I have two types of musical instruments in my music therapy bags: rhythmic and melodic. Unfortunately, due to COVID, I do not have any wind instruments, or instruments which require a mouth/breath to play. I bought my musical instruments second hand from leboncoin here in Marseille, from Flyer Tiger, and from Thomann.
Check out this post for a detailed review of my music therapy instruments!
Rhythmic Instruments
Rhythmic instruments are musical instruments which can create a rhythm. They are usually untuned, and do not change frequency. They are certain ‘tuned’ rhythmic instruments which can produce different notes or pitches, however I do not have any in my music therapy bags.
- Djembé
- Claves
- Maracas
- Egg Shakers
- Tambourine
- Jingle Stick
- Guiro
- Triangle
- Ocean Drum
- Sleigh Bells
- Wrist Bells
Melodic Instruments
Melodic Instruments are musical instruments which can create a melody. They have the ability to change pitch or frequency. Melodic instruments can also be rhythmic, however due to the different ‘notes’, they are classed primarily as melodic instruments.
- Glockenspiel
- Kalimbas (I have two different types!)
Some of my Musical Instruments in Images
Other Items in My Music Therapy Bags
Besides musical instruments, my music therapy bags carry many other things. Some of these are directly related to my music therapy sessions, whilst others are used for note-taking, or self-care.
Items used in Music Therapy Sessions
- Blue-Tooth Portable Speaker
- Mobile Phone
Items used for Notes, Session Plans and Feedback
- Pens
- Attendance Sheet
- Sticky Notes
- Diary / Calendar / Planner
Items used for Self Care
- Hand Gel
- Masks (FFP2)
- Tissues
- Water bottle
- Snacks
- Tea Bags
- Headphones
- Scarf
- Jacket
- Sunglasses
What I'd Love To Add to my Music Therapy Bags
My music therapy instruments change depending on the population I work with. So what you’re seeing here are the instruments used in a retirement home. As such, my instruments are small, light, and easy to use. I also take public transport meaning that my bags can’t be too cumbersome!
In the future I’d love to add some more melodic instruments, as well as more different types of drums. I’d also love to add in a ukelele or guitar, as well as some wind instruments once COVID rules relax.
