Help with Monotone Singing

MT-PRO Music Therapy List mtpro@multipro.com
Sat, 11 Sep 1999 12:24:45 -0500


Cindy Robertson has a very unique challenge.
 
I agree with others (and with Cindy) who says that the person receiving services is really not a monotone 
(she has other 
pitches) - but the abilty to match pitch has not been developed.  She probably has a singing range of only a 
few notes.
 
First you need to match her pitch.  Ask her to sing a note - match that note on the piano, and then play a 
major or minor chord 
with that note as the root.  Your matching her pitch will help her understand what you mean by "matching 
pitch".
 
Once this tone has been established, try moving one half step higher or lower on the piano, and see if she 
can follow you.  
If she does not, continue to reinforce her "tone" and try again later.  In my experience I have seen many 
persons with limited 
ranges learn to match pitch (within that limited range).  The problem is that most songs are not written with 
limited ranges (a 
5th or a 6th).  The additional problem is that beyond the early developmental years, learning to match pitch 
is usually a very 
slow process; your client may be out of school and beyond before it happens.
 
You mentioned that she does well with rap, which may mean that she has some natural rhythmic skills.  If 
there are any 
other school ensembles which might use skills other than matching pitch, these would be recommended.  I 
know that when a 
young person has his/her heart set on doing something, an alternative is not the same, but when the 
football coach is 
approached by a 97 pounder with no athletic skills, he gracefully steers that person toward doing 
SOMETHING ELSE.
 
It sounds as if you are probably doing all that you can in the situation - providing music experiences and 
helping her to 
achieve some success in doing the things that she does well.  You should also stress realistic goals, even 
though this 
person may have great difficulty understanding that concept.
 
Joe Pinson, MA, MT-BC
-- MT-PRO Music Therapy List, mtpro@multipro.com on 09/11/1999 at 12:24:13 PM


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