As I’ve mentioned before, I find it frustrating to be a music therapist with a behavioral background. I can set up a behavioral program for a student, and I can “work the system” to make them succeed and work towards their goals. I cannot, however, do this for myself! I seem to be better at setting myself up for failure.
Anyway, I had another thought today that seems equally ridiculous. One of the first things we learn in Music Therapy classes is that music is a great way for people to practice & learn impulse control. Music is made up of sound (notes) & silence (rests). If you follow them in a prescribed order, you have a song. If you deviate from the prescription, it either becomes a different song, or it becomes noise. I work on impulse control goals with my kids ALL the time. I don’t know how many days I am singing along, giving directions through lyrics and/or examples, and then I sing “a…nd STOP!” That is the cue for the kids to silence their instruments and wait for me to say “go” again.
Seeing as I have an impulse control disorder, and one that is totally in control of me at the moment, how on earth am I qualified to be teaching kids how to control their impulses!? It is so ridiculous. Now obviously, I’m not running out into oncoming traffic, or banging my head against a wall, or pinching someone, like some of my students when they are impulsive. But still, I sort of feel like a hypocrite. Now to be realistic, I don’t think this disqualifies me in anyway. I just find it amusing to think about.
But the question remains: If music is the perfect way to practice impulse control, what can I do as a music therapist to help myself and then spread that knowledge to others? I’ll let you know if I come up with anything. If you have any ideas, let me know. I’d love to experiment a little.
