P@RT1C!P@T!0N 1N OCCUP@T!0N TWO - CONCLUSION

Last activity engagement for these blogs on 23.10.2011

Today I focussed on finishing the song I had started to learn just over a week ago, which was 'Hero of war' by Rise Against. While playing the rest if this song, I thought hard about each of these engagements in terms of all the things we were asked to think about. I Recalled examining ergonomics, affordances, ambience and practical considerations. Everything under these headings I found really pulled apart my guitar playing as an occupation, and even though it was already so important to me, I found out so much more about it, and what it really means to me. It's been a very meaningful, and mindful experience.

In conclusion of these blogs:

Through the weekly activity accounts, i've learnt about my chosen occupation of guitar playing and learnt alot about myself also. I already knew of the great importance occupation played in the lives of humans, but going through it in this way has helped me recognise the simple vitality of it.

I've found that my chosen occupation of guitar playing fits under the framework umbrella of WORK, and under that umbrella is the framework of PLAY. I will use this to further reflect and analyse my engagement in this occupation.

Reference #5

"Occupation based activity analysis places the person in the foreground. It takes into account th particular persons' interests, goals, abilities, and contexts, as well as demands of the activity itself. These considerations shape the practitioner's effort to help the person reach his or her goals through carefully designed evaluation and intervention", (Crepeau, 1991)

I chose this as the last reference, because I think it's perfect in outlining why this blog was such a perfect way to find out more about a certain occupation. With analysis, you learn so much about it, and can use these learning to better your experience with the occupation. I will definitely feel more prepared and more connected to my guitar whenever I play after learning so much about it.

Peer reviewing:

#1 Amanda Bierre - 1st posting on the 11.09.2011
#2 Godhelp - 6th posting on the 13.10.2011
#3 Erin Hancock - 4th posting on the 14.10.2011
#4 Cara Tate - 6th posting on the 25.10.2011

All References cited across ALL blogs:

Caulton, R. (1994). Occupation and healing: at home, at work, at play. Occupation Journal, Vol. 1, No.1.

Crepeau, E, B. (1991). Achieving intersubjective understanding: Examples from as occupational therapy treatment session. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 44, 311-317

Gaimen, N. (2005). Anansai Boys: Harper Torch

Gibson, B. (2001). Performing matters. Great Britain: England. Athenaeum Press.

Ultimate Guitar. (2011). Recieved 22.09.2011 from http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/p/plain_white_ts/hey_there_delilah_ver2_tab.htm

Wilson, P.J. (1976). At our wits beginnings. Anthropology department, Otago university, Dunedin, New Zealand.

P@RT1C!P@T!0N 1N OCCUP@T!0N TWO - PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Activity account on 15.10.2011

Today I learnt one of my all time favourite songs which is 'Hero of war' by Rise against, my favourite band presently. It gave me huge joy to sit and learn this song, and play tunes to match the song in my itunes. I've held off learning this song previously because it has many chords and cold prove difficult, but I gave it a go, and I got to the first chorus in an hour, and had verse 1 nailed. I plan to finish the song in my next activity engagement for the conclusion of these postings. But for today, while I played, I focused on what was needed in order for me to play, and why I need them, which made focus on why I need my guitar. What I found is as follows:

Bits and Peices:

Some of the things that are essential to my guitar playing are as follows:

• Guitar
• pick
• correct strings
• tuner
• chords and notes
• capo

Those are the main bits and peices I would expect anybody to have a hold of when picking up a guitar to play it. Other considerations that would need to be made is a practical place in which to play. Firstly, you can just play anywhere, but being considerate to others is key. I mostly play in my room while practising, so that not everyone has to listen when I mess up. I've also found it is an essential part of playing the guitar to practise often enough to form calluses on your fingertips, that way you get a much cleaner sound from your chords, because you can press down so much harder.

The main consideration I would say is the toughest for me is money. I didn't buy the guitar itself, but I paid for the capo and for the strings, and a set of replacement strings because the break often, which shows the need for ongoing costs. Being a student, that can be quite a big deal for me.

Why I need my guitar:

This is an occupation I would never give up, simply because it brings me such joy. This is the occupation I definitely share the most passion for and will for the rest of my life. A part from the considerations of WHAT is needed, I focus primarily on NEEDING to need it. My guitar is a part of me, so that would be the biggest practical consideration for me.

P@RT1C!P@T!0N 1N OCCUP@T!0N TWO - AMBIENCE

Activity account on the 10.10.2011

Today I simply picked up my guitar and playing for half an hour. I played finger picking techniques that are used for practise, I practised strumming techniques, I played the few songs that I knew from beginning to end including 'Hey there delilah' by the Plain White T's and 'Hey, soul sister' by Train.

I sat on my bed, propped up by pillows, my guitar over my lap and I just played, and enjoyed the sun on my back from the windows behind me. Today, while I enjoyed playing, I focussed on noticing the environment around me, and how it made me feel. The nature of guitar playing, to me, is feeling serene, in control, and absolutely at ease with the world in that moment. I defintely felt all that when playing today. I don't do this for anyone else but me, it is something for me to enjoy, and to me, that is the essence of this activity. It creates such a rich sense of enjoyment and satisfaction that could rarely be replicated with another activity.

Music can be an important identifying aspect of who I am, and how people perceive me. I'e never hidden my love for music and therefore could relate to how I interact with others and they respond to me. I connect to others on a different level who always share a joy and passion for music, and I think this is a place for me in human society. I engage well with these people, and says a lot about who I am. I find songs deep and meaningful if written will and have great music to go with it. Songs aren't just songs, music isn't just music. It's so much more than that for me. It creates great feelings and memories and so much more.

Reference #4

"Songs remain. They last. The right song can turn an emperor into a laughing stock, can bring down dynasties. A song can last long after the events and the people in it are dust and dreams and gone. That's the power of songs" (Anansai boys, 2005).

I chose this quote, because it pulls out what I was saying earlier, about how music isn't just music. The Anansai boys created these lines to show that songs have a power behind them, and I believe that power can show through certain people and their beliefs and values, whether it's guitar playing, song writing, painting or any other activity that one might engage in. I very much value songs and music, and can always pull out underlying meanings from lyrics, and use my own lyrics to express my feelings and emotions. That is the power of songs to me.

References:

Gaimen, N. (2005). Anansai Boys: Harper Torch.

P@RT1C!P@T!0N 1N OCCUP@T!0N TWO - AFFORDANCES

Account of my participation in this activity on 30.09.2011

This time, instead of devoting a few hours to learning an entire song, I was given a lesson on strumming techniques from my partner, who has been a participant of this activity for 9 years now.

Communications:

Today, communication was crucial for my engagment in this activity, because I was being taught strumming types, so I had to be able to listen and mimic effectively. I was also given praise from Tom, my partner, when I got certain strumming types right, and I also gave out praise from his excellent teaching strategies. I found I got frustrated at times when I couldn't get it right, but I would keep trying, with encouragement.

Connections:

It was Tom, who first introduced me to guitar playing, making a hobby out of something I was already very interested in. Tom gave me my first acoustic guitar, it's name is nyley, because it has nylon strings. From this, I'm able to see the relevance of using affordance to pull apart my chosen activity, in terms of connections, because every time I pick up my guitar to start playing it, I am reminded of Tom, who lives in Tauranga, so it is always a comforting reminder and adds extra passion for my guitar involvement.

With Tom's, legendary skills, he took me over 3 different strumming techniques that will be useful in my future playing for when I move from finger picking songs to proper chord involvement. While playing a certain strum type, I am reminded of a song that John Mayer plays, which immediately reminds me of my grandmother, who passed away last year, who adored John Mayer. From playing, I can always pull out things that spawn memories and connections that make me feel as though playing the guitar brings me closer to people who are fr away, or who have passed.

Reference #3

"Having good connections, making connections, finding the right connection, are the ways in which human beings got on in the world", (Wilson, 1976).

I chose this quote for my third reference in these blogs because to me it shows the vitality of engaging in something that you experience and pull connections from. To me, I wouldn't participate so often in an activity if it meant nothing to me. However, I find that connections are what I pull the most from my activity engagement when playing my guitar, and so I completely agree with Wilson when it is said that it is how "human beings get on in the world" -- having meaning in something makes it worthwhile, makes it something you NEED to do, not just WANT.
Ethics

In further regards to affordances, and from this certain activity engagement today, I can point out some good and bad things about playing the guitar.

Good:

• Learning this skill makes me and others happy
• Makes me feel a sense of accomplishment when I nail it
• It allows to spend time among others, being taught, or playing in front of others
• I feel joy that I can do something that not everyone else can do
• Joy of playing something I am very passionate about

Bad:

• Takes up a lot of time
• Can be painful on my fingers
• Can cause calluses to form on my fingertips

From this activity account, and from writing about it in this blog, pulling out the affordance aspects, I can see the things that make this activity a NEED, and not just a WANT. I find that I pull out more connections than anythings else, which shows me that I NEED to play the guitar because the connections around it that much more important to me.

References:

Wilson, P.J. (1976). At our wits beginnings. Anthropology department, Otago university, Dunedin, New Zealand.

P@RT1C!P@T!0N 1N OCCUP@T!0N TWO - ERGONOMICS

Account of my participation in this activity on 22.09.2011

Today I picked a song to learn to play, and after scouring the internet for a good guitar tab for "Hey there Delilah" by the Plain white T's, I found one that was more appropriate to my style of playing. Ergonomics comes into this because I adapted my search for guitar tabs to my own abilities so that I can still participate in my activity. For example, had I chosen a guitar tab that was far beyond my abilities (Bar chords and palm muting for example), then my participation would be slack, whereas I made adjustments to the activity, by finding a finger picking guitar tab to play the chosen song in order to ensure that I can play it. In choosing my guitar tab, I went through the chords in all the verses first, and once I had those nailed, I worked on the chorus. It took me just over two hours to learn to play song, as it is quite a basic song for those who aren't mega pros just yet...

Again from playing the guitar today, I can see the relevance of ergonomics in this activity, as while I went through all of the notes and where my fingers had to be in the frets etc, I found myself making adjustments all the time to make it easier for me to play. For example, in verse two, the guitar tab told me to have my pinky in fret 4 in prep for the next chord, but since my hands are relatively small, this is difficult, so instead I moved my hand over a fret to play the same chords, but allowed me to use my ring finger instead of my pinky finger.

Reference #2

"Whether we play an instrument on a regular basis, or just occasionally, or even when performing on it for the first time, we form a relationship with it. People talk to machines such as computers, washing machines, bikes toys (especially when they don't seem to be cooperating), this includes instruments. It can be helpful to allow an instrument to to take on a kind of separate 'identity', or even 'personality'", (Gibson, 2001).

I thought this quote was a good reference to have in terms of ergonomics, simply because it is taking an instrument and literally giving it a life of its own in order for it to work better for you. Gibson is speaking of forming that relationship with an object in order to feel more connected with it, creating a better relationship which not only creates a better participative style but for me, creates btter music, because it's not just a guitar to me, and because of that, My guitar playing is better for me, and suits me better.

Here is an example of the "Hey there Delilah" Guitar Tab from 'Ultimate Guitar', Verse Two

Verse 2:
  D               F#m             D               F#m
e---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B---3---3---3---3---2---2---2---2---3---3---3---3---2---2---2-------|
G---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2-------|
D-0---0---0---0---4---4---4---4---0---0---0---0---4---4---4---4----|
A--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E---------------------------------------------------------------------------|


  Bm             G        A       Bm              A
e---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B---3---3---3-------3---3---2---2---3---3---3---3---2---2---5---5---|
G---4---4---4-------4---4---2---2---4---4---4---4---2---2---2---2---|
D--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A-2---2---2---0-----------0---0---2---2---2---2---0---0---0---0-----|
E-----------------3---3----------------------------------------------------|


  D               F#m             D               F#m
e---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B---3---3---3---3---2---2---2---2---3---3---3---3---2---2---2-------|
G---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2---2-------|
D-0---0---0---0---4---4---4---4---0---0---0---0---4---4---4---4----|
A--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E---------------------------------------------------------------------------|


  Bm              G       A       Bm              A
e---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B---3---3---3-------3---3---2---2---3---3---3---3---2---2---5---5---|
G---4---4---4-------4---4---2---2---4---4---4---4---2---2---2---2---|
D--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A-2---2---2---0-----------0---0---2---2---2---2---0---0---0---0-----|
E-----------------3---3----------------------------------------------------|

The whole guitar tab can be found at: http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/p/plain_white_ts/hey_there_delilah_ver2_tab.htm

References:

Gibson, B. (2001). Performing matters. Great Britain: England. Athenaeum Press.

Ultimate Guitar. (2011). Recieved 22.09.2011 from http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/p/plain_white_ts/hey_there_delilah_ver2_tab.htm

P@RT1C!P@T!0N 1N OCCUP@T!0N TWO

So it continues...

This blog is a continuation of the Participation in Occupation One blog from last semester. Though this time around, I will talking about an occupation that I have great interest in.
My chosen occupation is: PLAYING THE GUITAR! :)

 What does playing the guitar really mean to me?

I have always had a great passion for music from all kinds of genres. It was something that allowed me to mellow out in my own comfortable space with some great tunes that will relax me. It was the perfect time for me to reflect on things. In learning the guitar, which I have been doing for the past 2 and a half years, I was able to feel like I really connect to this passion of mine, and it has become a great way for me to have time to myself, time to think, and is also a great social stimulant also, allowing the extreme opposites of solo time and social time within one hobby.

Personal experiences with my guitar (Mindfulness).

Playing the guitar requires me to have great concentration and the ability to repeat notes and chords over and over until I manage to get it right. This can take hours and hours of time to myself, taking me out of my current reality, where it's just me and my guitar.

Keys word that spring to mind when thinkging about playing the guitar:

-Relaxing
-Concentration
-Entertainment
-Leisure
-Musical
-Socialising
-Satisfaction
-Meaningful

Being an OT student, what does playing the guitar mean to me in terms of Occupation?

The guitar requires great dexterity in the hands and fingers, where the basis of playing the strings come from fine motor movement. The constant playing will help me exercise my fingers and keep my fine motor movements up to par

As a student, the ability to concentrate can be key, so I find that being able to concentrate for long periods of time to master a song is a good ability to have.

Meaningful occupations should be something a person enjoys to do, so I think I nailed it with choosing to learn the acoustic guitar because it makes me so happy to play and gives me a sense of great satisfaction. Its such a great tool for me to have time to myself, but it can also provide great entertainment for social gatherings, even if the singing along with the guitar playing isn't exactly on tone...

Reference #1
"Those who are occupied, people who are 'playing' are likely to be active, aroused, and full of life, commited, organised, structured, responsible, and have a vested interest in their surroundings. They are orientated, interested, motivated, concerned, attentive, involved, careful, heedful, attached, connected and enthusiastic", (Caulton, 1994)

I chose this reference, because it is perfect to outline how important occupying ourselves are, and what it can mean and create for an individual person. All of these identifying characters in the quote above outline how an occupation can make something evolve in a person, can shape who they are and how they are perceived, and perhaps how they want to be perceived. I feel like a part of me chose to play the guitar to show the world that I can learn something that's difficult, that I have talent, that I'm hard-working, passionate for music, motivated, attentive, commited to something I am passionate about. This reference from Caulton, I think, snapshots how an identity is formed through doing. Through occupation, we become who we are. I am a guitar player, and I love being that person and doing that occupation.

Reference List

Caulton, R. (1994). Occupation and healing: at home, at work, at play. Occupation Journal, Vol. 1, No.1.

Tutorial eight - Assistive technology

Cook and Hussey (1995) have defined assistive technology as being "any item or piece of equipment or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities". To me, this definition means that assistive technology is any piece of equipment that will help someone return to function in terms of day to day tasks. An example of this, is speech recognition.

(Image one)

Speech recognition is a software that allows people to communicate with technology through speaking to it, and it generates the words for them. This is useful for someone has trouble texting, writing & typing etc. It is easy to use, as it comes with manuals, and it is compactible and small which makes it prime to carry around to have for use when needed. It is compatible with all types of technology, such as computers or cellphones. The costs range from $40-$150, which won't break the bank.

(You tube, 2011)

The above video from you Tube, is an example of somebody who is wheelchair bound and uses assistive technology to be able to use a computer, and this is speech recognition. With this video, we can see how much speech recognition can help a person get back to doing a task they enjoy, such as using a computer. 

References:

Cook, A. M. & Hussey, S. M. (1996). Assistive technologies: Principles and practice. USA: Mosby

You Tube

Google Images