People frequently ask for a playlist of music to use with the Octaband. I choose my music based on the cultural mix, including ethnicity and age of my residents and what they respond to and the themes or goals that I may have for a particular session, so I don't have set music.
Here is my playlist of songs that I may use in my group today:
Stomping at the Savoy, Benny Goodman
In The Mood, Glenn Miller Orchestra
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, The Andrews Sisters
Paddlin' Madeline Home, The Charleston City All Stars
Rock the Boat, Hues Corporation
Sh Boom (Life Could Be A Dream), The Trevor Horn Orchestra
Swing music is good because there is a push/pull that happens in the jitterbug, also rock and roll.
I often play Sh Boom at the end. I prepare them in advance, and when the music gets to sh boom, sh boom, yada dadada dadada on the sh boom, we bring our arms up and on the yada ... we shake our whole bodies. Stayin' Alive will be good for the one classic disco move that I and they know.
In response to those who would like a CD of music to play with the Octaband, as much as it may be time-consuming to choose music, using the same music each time could easily make the activity boring. Changing up the music helps create a novel experience, something which arouses interest and surprise and inspires creativity in participants.
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