Soundbeam (movement-triggered music)
The SoundBeam Activity Page
This descriptive project was created by Jack Young with the assistance of the Soundbeam files from the Northern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled. We would like to acknowledge our appreciation to Kris Martineau, MT-BC, Music Therapy Clinical Training Director at the Northern Center, for her help with our Soundbeam work.
MULTISENSORY ENHANCEMENT
Fiddle In The Beam
Hello In The Beam
Bubbles In The Beam
Falling Leaves
IMPROVING MOVEMENT
Dancing In The Beam
Butterflies In The Beam
Circus Calliope
Move With The SoundBeam
RELAXATION
Relaxation In The Beam
SOUND Canvas and Yanni
SOUND-MATCHING / AUDITORY STIMULATION
Tootlepiper's Band
Environmental Sounds with SoundBeam
SOUND STORIES
Halloween Spooks in the Beam
Making Music with Cinderella and the SoundBeam
Halloween Walk
MAKING AND CREATING MUSIC
SoundBeam and Rhythm Band
Orff in the Beam
Fiddle in the Beam
Materials
Soundbeam
SOUND Canvas
violin (or other instrument)
extra person
Set Up
The 16 notes should be in key of G.
Set up soundbeam, SOUND Canvas, and key board according to manual.
Setting for the range dial varies depends on the ability of clients.
Activity
Place clients in one row.
Place sound beam sensor on stand and place at one end of the row in the middle.
Directions
One client comes to soundbeam sensor.
Violin (or other instrument plays).
Person wheels client in beam.
When instrument stops it is the end of client's turn.
Person chooses one client to come up to S.B. Sensor.
Fiddler plays fiddle tune.
Person wheels client in beam to accompany fiddler.
After tune person chooses another client.
Each client receives turn.
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Hello in the Beam
(a different and fun way to say hello and shake hands)
Materials
Soundbeam
socialization skills
record "Hello Song"
Set Up
Set mode dial on 5
Set transverse dial on 3
Set range dial on 3 or relevant to client's needs
Set SOUND Canvas on instrument #3 (marimba) or other instrument that sounds good with the record
Procedure
Arrange the clients as follows:
Have the client shake hands on one side of the beam and with the clients on the other side.
When the clients shake hands they are cutting through the beam.
(This activity will require a lot of moving of the clients. Remember to mute the S.B. so there is no extraneous noise while moving the clients).
Explain that the clients will be shaking hands through the S.B., creating music along with the record.
Play the record and repeat hello and handshaking with all the clients in the group.
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Bubbles in the Beam
Materials
Soundbeam
SOUND Canvas
bottle of bubbles
Set Up
Set mode dial on any setting except 5, 6, or 7.
Set transpose dial on 6,7, or 8.
Setting for range dial will vary depending on where the client is in relation to the beam.
Key shift (on SOUND Canvas) should be between 20 and 24.
Choose instrument number 73, 77, 78, 79, 80 or any other voice you like (higher pitches work the best).
Activity
Place clients in two rows facing each other.
Position the sound beam sensor so it projects between the two rows without hitting the floor or clients.
Choose one client to go first.
Move the client and place him/her in the beam.
Position beam so that it points directly over head of client.
Blow bubbles into the beam.
Repeat until everyone has a turn.
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Falling Leaves
Materials
box or bag of dried leaves
some sort of "falling" music
sound beam, SOUND Canvas, and tape-recorder
Set up
Set transpose to 10
Set mode to 7
Set range and soundbeam above client's heads
Set sound to "Crystal" (99)
The Activity
Place the group in a semi-circle around the Soundbeam
Have a box of leaves and the tape recorder close at hand
Start the music and drop the leaves from above the beam onto the group members' wheelchair trays or laps
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Dancing in the Beam
Materials
Sound beam
SOUND Canvas
tape of bluegrass or country music
Set Up
Set mode dial on 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Set transpose dial on 6.
Setting for range dial will vary depending on where you will be pushing the clients.
Set instrumental number on 106.
Activity
Place clients in two rows facing each other.
Position the Soundbeam sensor so that projects between the two rows without hitting the floor or clients.
Choose someone to go first.
Move that client to sit in the beam.
Start the tape of the music and move the client through the beam while the music plays.
Everyone should have a turn.
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Butterflies in the Beam
Materials
Soundbeam
SOUND Canvas
butterfly song
butterflies on rhythm sticks
Set Up
Set mode dial on 5 or 6 (sustained).
Set transpose dial on 5.
Setting for range dial varies, depending on client.
SOUND Canvas on instrument #47 (harp).
Activity
Place clients in 2 rows facing each other.
Place Soundbeam sensor on stand and place at one end of the rows in the middle.
One client comes up to the Soundbeam sensor.
Therapist will sing Butterfly Song a cappella.
Client will move "Butterfly on a Rhythm Stick" in beam like it is a real butterfly OR client can move arms in beam like a butterfly.
Repeat so that every client gets a turn.
Butterfly Song
Tune to "Blow the Winds Southerly"
Flittering fluttering
Gracefully floating
Fly butterflies over the beam
"Butterfly on a Rhythm Stick"
Cut out a butterfly and tape to a rhythm stick.
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Circus Calliope
Materials
Soundbeam
Omnichord
recorded accompaniment if you need to model movements for the clients
picture of a Circus Calliope
Circus Calliope Song
Set Up
Set mode dial on 9.
Set transpose dial on 7.
Set range dial on 4 or length necessary for the clients.
Set SOUND Canvas on instrument #83 (Calliope).
Set omnichord on March Rhythm.
Activity
Choose a client to move in the beam.
Show the picture of the calliope and explain that this is an instrument he/she will be playing while in the beam.
Play the omnichord and sing the song, and start the accompaniment so you are able to model the necessary movements.
Circus Calliope Song
sung to tune of 10 Little Indians
It's the end of the parade
here comes the calliope
It's the end of the parade
here comes the calliope
It's the end of the parade
here comes the calliope
bringing up the rear
So, _(Name)_ just
move in the beam and play the calliope,
move in the beam and play the calliope,
move in the beam and play the calliope,
and bring up the end of the parade.
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Move with the Soundbeam
Set up
Set up Soundbeam with SOUND Canvas
Change mode to 3
Range setting may vary
Activity
This activity should be used with one client at a time.
Bring the client over to the Soundbeam and adjust the stand so that each time the client raises his/her arms over his/her head, the Soundbeam is activated.
Assist each client as necessary in raising his/her hands to activate the Soundbeam, allowing independent movements whenever possible.
Experiment with the different sounds and look for facial expressions of pleasure as certain sounds may be vary rewarding for each client.
If you wish, add some up beat exercise as background for the Soundbeam sounds. To provide extra motivation to move, you can adjust the stand to facilitate movement in arms, legs, hands etc.
Goals
This activity can facilitate range of motion, exercise, sensory stimulation, and concept and understanding of cause and effect.
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Relaxation in the Beam
Materials
Soundbeam
SOUND Canvas
tape with ocean sounds and music together
Set up
Set mode dial on 5.
Set transpose dial on 5.
Setting of range dial varies depending on client.
Set SOUND Canvas on instrument #124 (Bird).
Activity
Place clients in 1 row.
Place Soundbeam sensor on stand and place at one end of the row in the middle.
One client comes up to the Soundbeam sensor.
Turn lights off.
Therapist will move client in beam and move client back and forth (rocking motion) or client can move arms up and down in the beam.
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SOUND Canvas and Yanni
Set up
Connect SOUND Canvas to the piano
Activity
Choose a sound which will provide a state of relaxation and quiet environment - Experiment with the different sounds as there are several from which you can choose
You may want to have the clients sit in a semi-circle in front of the keyboard so they are focused on the music and not anything else in the room.
Tell the clients to listen to the music and to be very quiet.
Turn the lights off to help create an even more relaxed, quiet environment.
Play through your Yanni music, or any other relaxing music you may want to use.
Make sure if the clients are getting too loud or agitated to redirect them back into the music so that they maintain a quiet state.
Goals
to provide a relaxed, quiet environment and to facilitate sensory stimulation
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Tootlepiper's Band
Materials
Soundbeam
Dumbo Circus record (Tootlepiper's band)
pictures of instruments being used
Setup
Set mode dial on 1.
Set transpose dial according to the range of the instruments (trombone, clarinet, etc.).
Set range dial according to client's needs in movement.
Set SOUND Canvas on instruments desired. Make sure the other channels are muted so only 1 instrument plays at a time.
Procedure
Show the clients the pictures of the instruments in Tootlepiper's band. Assign a client to each instrument.
Explain that when the client hears the name of his/her instrument in the song, he/she must move in the Soundbeam to play his/her instrument.
(Give necessary cues for client to move in the beam)
Play record and do activity. Switch instruments with clients so they all have a chance to experience all the instruments.
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Environmental Sounds with Soundbeam
Set up
Connect Soundbeam to SOUND Canvas
Activity
Start out by talking about different objects for which you have sounds in the SOUND Canvas (Bird, telephone, seashore, helicopter, band instruments, orchestra instruments).
Use visual aids such as pictures to help in your explanation. - As you are talking about each separate object, allow the clients to activate the Soundbeam to create the sound of the object you are talking about while you show its picture.
Goals
This activity can facilitate sensory stimulation, awareness of environmental sounds, and improve cause and effect conceptual understanding.
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Halloween Spooks in the Beam
Materials
Soundbeam
SOUND Canvas
Halloween chant
Set up
Set mode dial on 5.
Set transpose dial on 5.
Setting for range dial varies, depending on client.
Set SOUND Canvas on instrument #102 (Goblin) and #99 (Crystal).
Activity
Place clients in 2 rows facing each other.
Place Soundbeam sensor on stand and place at one end of the rows in the middle.
One client comes up to the Soundbeam sensor.
Therapist will recite the Halloween Chant.
Client will move in beam, depicting character in chant (eg. move like a ghost).
Each client depicts one character.
Repeat activity so every client receives a turn.
Halloween Chant
Oo Oo
It's Halloween night (2X)
And you better beware (2X)
The cats are screeching everywhere
. . The ghosts are floating everywhere.
. . The monsters are stomping everywhere.
. . The witches are flying everywhere.
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Making Music with Cinderella and Soundbeam
Songs
"A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" #124 (Birds)
"Work Song" #125 (Telephone)
"So This is Love" #123 (Seashore)
"Bibbiddi Bobbiddi Boo" #101, 99, 103, or 104
Book
Cinderella story book
Setup
Connect the Soundbeam to the SOUND Canvas.
Settings for mode and range may vary.
Activity
Start by telling the story, allowing each client to see the pictures in the book.
When you get to a part in the book where a song fits in, adjust the Soundbeam accordingly to a sound that fits in with the song and allow each client to activate the Soundbeam while you are playing the song on either the piano, guitar, or omnichord.
For the other two songs, follow the same directions.
This format may be used for any of the Disney books and songs.
Give the other members of the group rhythm instruments to play while you are playing the song.
Goals
This activity can facilitate range of motion and sensory stimulation.
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Halloween Walk
Materials
Halloween Story or poem
pictures of Halloween items to match things mentioned in the story
Soundbeam
voice output system or introtalker
instruments
SOUND Canvas
Set up
Connect Soundbeam to SOUND Canvas.
Set mode on 4 for part 102 (Goblin) and 4 or 5 for all others.
Set transposition on 5.
Settings for range will depend on session set-up (standing, sitting, moving arms, moving legs, etc.).
Program Soundbeam to create sounds to match those mentioned in the story and the pictures. Some possible sounds include: 104(Goblin), 123/3 (Wind), 127/5 (Footsteps), 127/2 (Scream), 127/4 (Heartbeat).
Program talker/voice output system to create sounds not available on the Soundbeam (eg. cat's meow or teeth chatter).
Have pictures, instruments, and talker readily available.
Activity
Explain that we will be going on a Halloween walk and on that walk we will hear some Halloween sounds.
Begin reading the story, using facial expressions and voice inflections.
During the story, have people create the sounds in the story using the Soundbeam, voice output system, and/or various instruments.
While creating a sound, show the picture that corresponds with that sound.
Halloween Story
Halloween is coming ___(name)___
on a haunting dark night part 102 (Goblin)
when bats dance in the sky
swooping down for a bite.
Halloween is coming ___(name)___
the wind is restless part 123/3 (Wind)
as the dead leaves crackle
and the trees twist and groan.
Halloween is coming ___(name)___
there are footsteps approaching part 127/5 (Footsteps)
but no one is there
maybe it is just a ghost passing.
Halloween is coming ___(name)___
from the silence we hear a clock chime part 15 (Tubular bell)
there is a chill in the air
as a witch suddenly cries . part 127/2 (Scream)
Halloween is coming ___(name)___
we must keep on walking part 127/5 (Footsteps)
yellow eyes glow in the dark
as a black cat watches us. voice output meow
Halloween is coming ___(name)___
our hearts are pounding part 127/4 Heartbeat
our teeth start to chatter voice output castanets
because we are the only ones here.
Halloween is coming.
Halloween is coming. Part 102 (Goblin)
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Soundbeam and Rhythm band
Set up
Connect Soundbeam to SOUND Canvas.
Mode on 3
Range setting may vary.
Activity
Program non-pitched rhythm instruments into the SOUND Canvas. (eg. Woodblock, Koto, Kalimba).
Have each client take a turn activating the Soundbeam while the other members of the group play other rhythm instruments.
Adjust the Soundbeam for each individual client so they are able to activate the Soundbeam independently or with physical cues.
If you want, add some rhythmic music in the background to facilitate the rhythm band.
Experiment with different sounds and allow each client to hear as many sounds as you can use for this activity.
Goals
improve fine/gross motor skills, develop conceptual understanding of cause and effect relationships, sensory stimulation/awareness, and to increase self esteem in accomplishing a task.
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Orff in the Beam
Materials
Soundbeam
SOUND Canvas
keyboard
Orff instruments
music to 3-4 songs of your choice
Set up
Program the tonic (I) and dominant (V) of the key in which you will play the songs.
Set up Soundbeam, SOUND Canvas and the keyboard.
Set mode dial on 1.
Set transpose dial on 2.
Range will vary depending on where the client is in relation to the beam.
Key shift should be on -17.
Activity
Place clients in two rows facing each other.
Position the Soundbeam sensor so that it projects between the two rows without hitting the floor or clients.
Choose one client to go first.
Move that client to sit /stand in the beam.
Begin playing the melody on an Orff instrument to one of the songs you choose.
Client should move in the beam and accompany you.
Everyone should have a turn.
Other clients can clap their hands while one person is in the beam.
Suggested Songs
"How much is that Doggie"
"Wheels on the Bus"
"Eensie Weensie Spider"
"Clementine"
"He's Got the Whole World in His Hands"
"Hickory Dickory Dock"
Any other two chord songs