New Tune Tuesday: Hello It Is Time For Music

You would be hard pressed  not to find a hello song at the beginning of each of my sessions! Hello songs are a staple in many music therapy sessions because they help to establish the mood, orient clients to what is about to happen, and create social interactions.

The hello song I share with you today has been in use for nearly 2 years now. I like it so much, that I am having a hard time replacing it with something new. It is adaptable and can be used easily with both groups and individuals.I will admit the melody is not an original, but rather it is a piggyback of hymn entitled "Alleluia". I have known the song for years, and found the catchy melody to be perfect!

  The recording is an example of how I use the song in the group setting. The social greetings are commonly mixed up and can include give a fist bump, pat the back, give a head nod, etc.

When I use this song at the individual level, the main chorus stays the same. When a child strums the guitar along with me (I give them a monster pic), I replace the words like this:

Hello Michael
Hello Michael
It is good to see you!
Hello Michael
Hello Michael
It is good to see you today!

So there is my current hello song! I am looking to write a new one soon to change up the music, but I know this one will be hard to replace!