what's the frequency of the letter "e" in:
i learned very quickly in this experience that things rarely go as planned. i’m grateful for the ability to look on the bright side when things seem frustrating and to highlight small victories when sessions don’t go as i expect. even though there were stressful and overwhelming moments, this strength has kept my spirits high and i was able to fall back on this throughout the length of my internship.
it’s easy to tell someone to prioritize self-care, but in actuality this task is much more complicated. i’ve tackled this topic in one of my previous blogs, but truly understanding the ins and outs of this incredibly broad subject has turned me into a better therapist, student, and overall functioning human.
therapy helped solidify my perception of a team approach. i’ve developed a deeper appreciation for the multi-disciplinary therapeutic field.
somewhere around month 3 i read this article that truly changed the game for me. it quotes michael dell saying “try never to be the smartest person in the room. and if you are, i suggest you invite smarter people…or find a different room.” i’ve really had to work on shifting my competitive mindset to one that is accepting of personal flaw and open to seeking out information from those who know more than i do. this has completely changed the way i look at my professional priorities and career development. i’ve learned that it’s okay to compare myself to other people as long as i am using this to build myself up rather than tear myself down.
robert schumann once said “to send light into the darkness of men’s hearts—such is the duty of the artist.” while this concept can be applied to any musician playing any instrument, i have felt it particularly relevant throughout my journey with the violin. it is by nature one of the most expressive instruments with the capacity to portray almost any emotion. it has a unique timbre that is both vulnerable and brilliant at the same time. it’s sound is approachable yet its mechanisms are complex in that they require perfect synchrony and execution. the various ways in which it can be played give virtually limitless options as to how this instrument can be used in music therapy interventions. not only are the sounds unique, but they give the client something new to experience. often times clients are only exposed to the main therapeutic instruments (i.e. voice, piano, and guitar) which could become repetitious. bringing in a different instrument gives the client an opportunity to form a new relationship with the music. whether it is alerting, drawing attention, or accentuating different motor movements the client will most likely not respond to the intervention the same when executed from a different instrument. there is also a large repertoire of music for violin that can relate to a variety of cultures. from classical to modern or from irish jig to italian opera, there is music out there for any population. another benefit to the violin is the level of mobility the instrument provides. the therapist is able to make eye contact and move around the room if their music is memorized or if they are improvising. this allows for more intimate interactions with individuals in a group as well as individual settings. while singing and playing is a possible and challenging skill to acquire, it is not necessary in order for the instrument to sound complete. the melody can be played by itself or with a background beat and be equally as effective as any other therapeutic instrument. the following infographic illustrates some tips, tricks, and precautions when using the violin (or another primary instrument) in a therapeutic setting.

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I counted 345 "e"s in that text.
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