Instruments for Traveling Music Therapists

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As a traveling music therapist, I travel around the greater Austin area throughout the week, My days are filled with various sessions in client's homes, schools, and facilities. I drive a Honda CRV which has decent trunk space but I have found that it is extremely tiring to carry multiple different instruments and bags into each client's location. Therefore, I have been on a quest to determine instruments that meet my client's preferences and needs while also making things as simple as possible for me. Below is a list that I have compiled some of my favorite instruments as a traveling music therapist.

1. Ukulele: The ukulele has been a godsend for me. Not only is it smaller and lighter and therefore easier to cart around, but 95% of my clients also prefer it! Since the ukulele has nylon strings, it much friendlier on fingers that are not used to playing guitar strings. Furthermore, it is much easier for clients to learn how to play if that is of interest to them since there are only four strings. The ukulele that I have is the Lanikai Tenor Ukulele.

2. Small Keyboard: I have only been using a keyboard for a few months but it has been great for so many reasons! Almost all of my clients are able to produce sounds when using a keyboard. The keyboard that I have is the Casio SA-46 Portable Keyboard (32 mini keys) 

3. Boomwhackers: The boomwhackers that I use are the Constructive Playthings Boomwhackers Tubes. Boomwhackers have been a hit in my music therapy sessions in recent months. They are a great instrument to address goals such as color identification, sequencing, motor skills, grasping, increasing range of motion. Also, they are a client favorite!

4. Drum: Drums are highly used throughout music therapy for many reasons. This is the one that I like to take into most of my sessions since it produces a decent sound and doesn't take up too much space. Remo RH-5010-00 Rhythm Club Floor Tom Drum

Are you a traveling music therapist? Are there any instruments that you have found beneficial in your work? Comment below! 


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