Music Therapy Interventions for (almost) Spring!

Springtime already has a natural therapeutic theme built in, growth, light, movement, and change. After the heaviness of winter, especially here in the Midwest, many of us have spring fever. We are looking for ways to thaw, physically, emotionally and mentally. Here are adaptable spring music therapy interventions you can use across a variety of music therapy settings.

1. The “Musical Garden” Songwriting Experience

Spring is the planting season, the growth of new things, which makes it perfect for songwriting and creating new music that can reflect the client's experiences.

During this intervention, invite clients to imagine they are planting a garden. During this discussion, talk about the different elements of spring and what they can represent. Here are a few examples listed below. To elevate this intervention, utilize props (actual flowers, seeds, etc.) and different instruments to represent each item.

• Flowers = personal strengths

• Seeds = goals

• Rain = support systems

• Weeds = obstacles

You can write an original song or adapt a familiar melody such as Here Comes the Sun or Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, to reinforce these themes.

Lyric prompts can include:

• “This season I’m growing…”

• “I’m planting the seed of…”

• “The rain helps me…”

Some of the clinical goals addressed in this intervention are:

• Emotional expression

• Goal identification/setting

• Self-esteem building

2. Rainstorm Rhythm for Regulation (Group Intervention)

Spring weather can shift quickly, just like emotions.

Create a group rainstorm using body percussion:

• Finger tapping = light rain

• Lap patting = steady rain

• Stomping = thunder

• Shakers = wind

Gradually build the intensity, then slowly return to calm, having each person stop gradually.

This intervention works for:

• Self-regulation

• Impulse control

• Sensory engagement

• Trauma-informed work

This intervention can also be adapted to use in 1:1 sessions. For example, when using tools like GarageBand, clients can add percussive sounds one by one, either using their own body to create these sounds (tapping, stomping, etc.), live instruments, or instruments within the app to record them. Each element would be recorded individually, slowly increasing the intensity, and then taken away gradually, creating a “rainstorm” effect.

3. Spring Movement for Motor Skills and Increasing Energy

Spring is a time where we all start to feel active again. It’s time to use that energy in a session!

Song choices: Bunny Hop, Rockin’ Robin, Walkin’ on Sunshine etc.

Props: Scarves, Shakers, Drums

Movement prompts:

• “Grow like a flower” (slow upward stretch)

• “Hop like a bunny” (rhythmic stepping or seated marching)

• “Flutter like a butterfly” (arm range-of-motion work)

Intervention can be adapted for:

• Early childhood

• Children and Adults with disabilities

• Older adult fitness groups

4. Spring Reminiscence for Older Adults

For older adults in assisted living and dementia care settings, spring themes naturally invite discussion and storytelling.

Prompt discussion:

• What were your favorite spring time activities growing up?

• What holidays are meaningful for you this time of year?

• Are there any specific songs that remind you of spring?

Creating props to create sensory engagement can also be helpful. For example, having a basket of flowers that have spring time song titles on them for each resident to choose, or gathering instruments that create a spring sound (i.e. rainstick, ocean drum, etc.)

Incorporate familiar songs like:

• April Showers

• Over the Rainbow

• My Girl

• Sunshine Day

• Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)

• It Might as Well be Spring

• When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along

• Blue Skies

• Tiptoe Through the Tulips

You can also try lyric substitution:

“I think I’ll ___________outside, the spring sun calls me by name!” - “Sunshine Day”, Brady Bunch

Music tied to seasonal memory often increases engagement and emotional connection.

5. The “Bloom” Drum Circle (Group Intervention)

This intervention can either be done using a large buffalo drum, single drums, or a variety of percussion instruments.

• Start with one steady beat (metronome or therapist led)

• Each participant contributes a “petal” rhythm, or their own unique rhythm to the song experience while the main beat remains steady

• End with everyone playing in unison, coming together with the steady beat.

After the musical portion of this intervention, a discussion could be initiated to talk about the “growth” of each rhythm and how the song progressed.

This intervention addresses:

• Impulse control

• Sensory Engagement

• Group Cohesiveness

• Expressive Communication