Assignment of patients to instrument-playing should be made in the same manner as other assignments in functional occupational therapy. The physician should prescribe the instrument which best meets the convalescent’s needs. He should explain to the musical aide in the presence of an occupational therapist the motions desired and the precautions to be followed. He should set the time limits for the first and succeeding lessons. In general, it may be said that the first lesson should last about fifteen minutes, or until such time as the patient shows signs of fatigue. This period should be extended gradually to a half hour. The patient should be encouraged to return to the instrument as often as is practicable for further study. When the number of patients receiving lessons is large, a regular schedule for additional practice periods will have to be posted. After a relatively short period, the musical phase of occupational therapy will operate smoothly and the physician will be able to delegate most of the details to the occupational therapist, who should frequently supervise the lessons to ensure desired joint motion and to note progress. The occupational therapist should make progress measurements and notes. When properly supervised, the use of music as functional occupational therapy can be as scientific as any other branch of occupational therapy and is the one use of music at this time which may properly be termed “musical therapy”. The following table is offered as a reference for some of the motions possible with a few of the instruments described. +----------+-----------------------+-------------+ | _Part_ | _Motion_ | _Instrument_ | +----------+-----------------------+-------------+ | Fingers | All | Piano | | Fingers | Extension | Ukelele | | Thumb | All but adduction | Piano | | Wrists | Flexion--Extension | Piano | | Elbow | Pronation--Supination | Guitar | | Elbow | Flexion--Extension | Violin | | Shoulder | Abduction--Adduction | Piano | | Neck | All Motions | Xylophone | | Back | All Motions | Bass Viol | | Hips | Abduction--Adduction | Organ | | Knees | Flexion--Extension | Pianola | | Ankles | Flexion--Extension | Parlor Organ | +-----------+-------------------------------------+ VOICE Singing has long been used for the treatment of stammering and other speech impediments. Singing can also be used to exercise the jaws, larynx, lungs and diaphragm. With proper instruction, singing can be an excellent exercise for the muscles of the chest and abdomen as well as a breathing exercise.