My Music
My first song
This is my piano music. It is played by my friend and music therapist Karen Bohnert.
My hands won’t allow me to play my songs, but the notes are all mine. It takes me about a year to complete each song. I have completed eight songs since I began composing in 2000. I will add a new song when I am able. My Dad helps me put my songs here.
To hear some of my songs Click Here to Listen
Karen wrote this information so you would know how I compose my songs with her.
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Karly’s Composing Process
A composer hears melodies and harmonies in their head, then communicates them either by playing them or writing them down for others to play. Like all composers, Karly composes music in her head; but it gets tricky when she tries to share her music with others because she is not able to write them down or play them herself.
That’s where the choice cards come in. A Music Therapist (a trained professional who uses music to achieve therapeutic goals) presents Karly with choices on index cards, one choice per card, and Karly is able to pick up the one that she wants. When starting a new song, the choices might have to do with which key she wants the piece to be in, what the time signature will be and things of that nature. Once the first note is selected, then Karly is given the choice of three cards: “up,” “down” and “stay the same.” If she picks “up” or “down,” the next choice is whether it moves by skip or step. If she picks “step,” the note will be the next one in the scale. If she picks “skip,” she is given the choice of different intervals (they are played for her), and she selects the one she wants. So it can take up to three choices just to communicate the pitch of one note—and there is so much more after that!
After selecting eight to twelve notes, Karly has to communicate the duration of these notes (rhythm), one note at a time, again using choice cards. Choosing harmony, or chords, comes next, then accompaniment patterns and any changes in those patterns. The piece is finished after things like tempo, dynamics, articulation and phrasing have been decided.
It is a very long and arduous process for Karly taking approximately a year to complete each melody. Due to Rett Syndrome, her breathing issues, health and energy levels all affect her ability to focus on the task at hand, but Karly does not let any of this stop her. She composes in spite of the immense effort and huge time commitment, producing music that is an inspiration to all, and a testament to the abilities that lie within all people with disabilities.
Karen L. Bohnert
Music Therapist-Board Certified
M.A., NMT
Sandy said,
September 8, 2008 @ 10:37 pm
Karly,
its beautiful and great that I can now listen to it at anytime I want!
Sandy
Kelly said,
September 17, 2008 @ 8:38 am
Karly,
The song is beautiful! Thank you for sharing it will all of us and again reminding us of how amazing our girls with Rett Syndrome are!
Love,
Kelly, Brooklyn’s Mommy
Bethany Crossley said,
September 17, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
Karly,
I am so excited that you now have a way to expand your listening audience!!! Your music is beautiful, and I am blessed by our friendship. I look forward to hearing your next composition!
ruth richmond said,
September 25, 2008 @ 5:03 pm
Hi Karly,
I just heard your composition “For Strength.” I was wondering, when you envisioned that song in your mind, did you hear it as a piano piece or did you hear other instruments as well?
Diane Lee said,
September 28, 2008 @ 11:47 pm
Karly,
Your music composition is beautiful! I am totally amazed by your talent and commitment to do the things that you enjoy, no matter how difficult it is for you. I am anxious to play your music for Mary Claire and her younger brother, Josh.
Lisa Jenkins said,
October 1, 2008 @ 11:37 pm
Karly,
The process of composing music has always seemed like a sheer miracle to me. After reading your therapist’s description of how you do what you do, I’m just in awe. From working with Mary Claire, I have a small glimpse of the amount of time and effort that it takes. You have such determination, and your music is so alive and uplifting. Thanks for sharing.
Sandy said,
November 5, 2008 @ 6:01 pm
Karly,
Just found the new song, Theme and Variation – How beautiful!!
Thank you for sharing your music with all of us! It is so moving!
Love Sandy
Amelia said,
April 26, 2009 @ 5:47 am
I was referred to your blog by Sarah and Alex in Oxford. I’ve recently met them, but have worked with ladies with Retts before, and been mocked for believing they understood everything that was going on. I am now on a mission armed with your blog! I have given the link to others working with people with Retts in order to spread the word. It amazes me that even the professionals scoff at the idea that someone with Retts is communicating, and as I’ve read in your blog, rely on the body language cues which they themselves accept are often involuntary. It makes me so mad! I am a social worker and work alongside various other people and I shall be spreading the word. I can’t believe people are being ignored like this.
Please keep writing. This website is amazing.
A