title: Percussion use and training: a survey of music therapy clinicians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Percussion instruments are commonly used in music therapy practice; however, the body of published literature regarding music therapy-related percussion training and practice is limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of our survey study was to describe: (a) clinician perspectives of their academic percussion training; (b) use of percussion testing during academic training; (c) clinician perspectives on relevance, adequacy, and importance of academic percussion training; (d) clinician perspectives of their nonacademic percussion training; and (e) current use of percussion in clinical practice. Through comparisons of these parameters, we sought to provide information that may inform future percussion use and training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were selected using an email list from the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Board-certified music therapists (MT-BC) were provided with a researcher-created survey about academic percussion training, nonacademic percussion training, and use of percussion in clinical practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survey response rate was 14.4% (611/4234). We used demographic data to address potential nonresponse error and ensure population representation for region of residence and region of academic training. Results revealed concerns about perceived adequacy of percussion training received during music therapy education (14.6% reported receiving no academic percussion training; 40.6% reported training was not adequate), and absence of percussion-specific proficiency exams. Of the training received, 62.8% indicated that training was relevant; however, a majority (76.5%) recommended current music therapy students receive more percussion training on instruments and skills most relevant to clinical practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comparisons between academic training, perceived needs in academic training, and clinical usage may inform future training and clinical competency. We provide suggestions for developing future training, as well as for furthering clinical implementation and research.
authors.affiliation: Round Rock Independent School District University of Kansas skscheffel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scheffel
authors.affiliation: Round Rock Independent School District University of Kansas.
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Matney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods*; D010474:Percussion / Q000379:methods*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: clinical practice; clinical training; music therapy education; pedagogy; percussion