_Diversion._ For those who desire diversion and music appreciation, the music aide may wheel the music cart to the bedside. By ascertaining the musical appetite of patients on the preceding day, the aide may stock the cart with the kind of recordings desired and play them for the interested patient and any of the neighboring patients whose interest she can stimulate. By making a few well chosen remarks before each record is played much interest can be developed and the patient will look forward to future visits. If patients express no special interest in music, albums may be passed out for browsing and played without predetermined continuity. If interest is greatly aroused the music aide may suggest supplemental reading and call on the librarian to visit the patient or supply some reading material from the music department collection. The commercially available program notes for sponsored radio programs should also be distributed. _Entertainment._ Musical entertainment on the ward may take the form of patient participation or “live” music. For patient participation, there is nothing to equal ward sings. The music aide may use either the record-player in the music cart or, preferably, a portable instrument such as a small piano organ, or accordion. The words of the songs may be mimeographed or flashed on a screen, wall, or ceiling with a small projector. Hymn books or other books of songs may also be used to advantage. Songs should be chosen for their popularity and familiarity. Such songs as “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” and other old favorites are “sure fire”. The top songs on the “Hit Parade” are always enjoyed. The music aide should circulate if recorded music is used to stimulate non-participants into singing. The session should last from twenty to thirty minutes. It is desirable to have two of these per ward each week. Duration and frequency can be varied according to patient response. Of all forms of ward music, good “live” music is perhaps the most entertaining. Ensembles may be of fair quality but soloists must not be mediocre or the presentation will suffer. The most popular entertainers are the singers who can accompany themselves on the portable piano or other instruments. They should keep the program at the popular-appeal level. They should not ask for requests unless their repertoire is adequate since the inability to grant them is both disappointing and embarrassing to both performer and patients. _Volunteers._ It will be difficult for one music aide to carry out a music program by himself in a hospital of more than 500 beds. If the budget does not permit a second aide volunteers from the community should be enlisted to assist. This subject will be discussed further in the next chapter. _CHAPTER EIGHT_ DIVERSION AND ENTERTAINMENT