There’s No Wrong Way to Play

Kat Fulton

“There’s no wrong way to play” is usually my mantra when facilitating a drum class or music therapy session with older adults. In music, dance, and art, there is no wrong way to express yourself. Whatever comes out is an extension of yourself. (Leave the judgment and criticism behind during this article.) Truly, as much as we urge people to play the “right” notes, get the “right” rhythm, harmonize on the “right” interval, listen for the “right” chord progression, please be mindful that what’s “right” is relative.

As a classically trained pianist with an undergraduate degree in piano performance and music theory, I strongly value what we consider to be “high quality” performance, according to the genre. At the same time, I appreciate another aspect of music, something that goes beyond rules and standards. Something that touches our very core.

Today, there is a separation between musicians and non-musicians, artists and non-artists, dancers and those who say, “Oh, no, I certainly don’t dance.” The truth is that we all have rhythm, we all make art, and we all dance. The heartbeat, our footsteps, our breathing, toe tapping, finger snapping, hand clapping, and vocal rapping! You cannot avoid rhythm.

In my work as a music therapist, the easiest way to prove my point is to hand out a bunch of drums. I provide music therapy to groups of older adults in independent living retirement communities, assisted living, skilled nursing care, and Alzheimer’s/dementia care.

When I meet a new group of older adults, I always ask: “How many of you took music lessons as a child?” Usually more than 90 percent of the participants raise their hands. When I ask: “How many of you play now?” Less than 5 percent of the participants raise their hands.

When I ask them why, some common responses are “I got my hand slapped by my piano teacher or “It wasn’t fun anymore” or “When I sang in the chorus, our director asked me to lip sync” or “I was always intimidated by the requirement of playing in recitals.” After listening to some comments, I suggest that by the end of our session, negative associations with making music will be debunked. Then I demonstrate how fun, easy, and stress-relieving making music can be.

One music therapy experience that I often use is this: Everyone has a drum. I have a guitar. I say “Everyone play just one beat. On your mark, get set, *GO* On your mark, get set, *GO* On your mark, get set, *GO*… *GO*… *GO*…” By then, everyone is playing the tempo to “Blue Suede Shoes,” so “it’s a *ONE* for the money, *TWO* for the show, *THREE* to get ready, etc.” Because this tune is a standard 12-bar blues form, solo and duet opportunities occur during some of the choruses. I simply provide the rhythmic and chordal framework with the guitar and voice while every player is showcased. I encourage participants to make up their own rhythms and experiment during the music. The music-making is a successful hit on the first try!

As a music therapist, I am able to combine improvisational techniques, performance of familiar tunes, drum circle facilitation techniques, and therapeutic skills in one session. Plus, therapeutic goals are achieved and documented: increased socialization, decreased isolation, agitation reduction, enhanced quality of life, and sustained gross motor movement. And, wow, what a meaningful moment it is to see a wheelchair-bound, arthritic 90-year-old woman playing music happily for the first time since childhood!

Kat Fulton is a speaker and board-certified music therapist whose passion is to inspire others to make music. She is the founder and director of Sound Health Music, an organization that uses music to elicit positive change in medical, corporate, and wellness settings.