Adaptive Music Lessons

Adaptive music lessons are designed to support individuals of all ages and abilities throughout the process of learning or developing musical skills. Our team of music therapists are trained to use music in a variety of health contexts and with individuals with varying health needs across the lifespan.

We believe that everyone should have access to learning and making music.

Led by Music Therapists

Our adaptive music lessons are facilitated by board certified music therapists (MT-BCs) who have received education related to the role of music across multiple settings and with a variety of health conditions.

More specifically, music therapists are trained to work with individuals with disabilities and have specialized knowledge to provide specialized accommodations to increase accessibility of music education.

Accommodations

Our adaptive music lessons are individualized to each client’s needs and abilities. In the initial lesson, a music therapist will work with the client or family and gather relevant health information in order to provide accommodations that increase a client’s success in music making experiences. Examples of accommodations in adaptive music lessons may include:

  • Physical accommodations - adaptive music technology, equipment, or instruments

  • Visual accommodations - Braille labeling and notation, large print sheet music, color coding and contrasted sheet music

  • Cognitive accommodations - color coded music notation, music-based techniques for attention, music-based neurologic cues

  • Sensory accommodations - sensory breaks, incorporation of sensory equipment, sensory-friendly musical instruments

  • Social/communication accommodations - choice boards, PECS symbols, music-based social cues

Instruments for Adaptive Lessons

We welcome adaptive music lessons with an emphasis on learning any of the following instruments:

  • Piano

  • Guitar

  • Ukulele

  • Voice

  • Violin

  • Viola

  • Drums/percussion

  • Saxophone

  • Flute

Please contact our office with inquiries for other musical instruments not listed above.

What will I learn in an adaptive music lesson?

The focus of an adaptive music lesson is to increase musical proficiency and may include any of the following musical skills:

  • Learning to read or write adaptive music notation

  • Learning to play a musical instrument with musical accommodations (if needed)

  • Developing other important musical skills - rhythm, dynamics, etc.

Music therapists will accommodate adaptive lessons throughout any stage of a diagnosis and/or as a condition progresses. We also welcome individuals of all ages.

What’s the difference between adaptive music lessons and music therapy?

Although both of these services are offered at our center by board certified music therapists (MT-BCs), the focus and intended outcomes of each service is different.

Music therapy is the use of music interventions to improve health and well-being including physical, social, cognitive, psychological, or spiritual health. In music therapy, the focus is on achieving health outcomes through various music experiences (playing instruments, songwriting, listening to music, etc.).

On the other hand, adaptive music lessons are focused on increasing musical proficiency. The focus of adaptive music lessons is to further musical skills while providing specialized accommodations as needed.

Schedule an Adaptive Music Lesson

To schedule an adaptive music lesson, please contact our office.