What Is music therapy?
Music therapy is the prescribed use of music by a qualified person to bring about positive changes in the physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functioning of a human being. Music therapists’ asses emotional wellbeing, communication abilities, social functioning, cognitive skills and physical health through musical responses, design music services for individuals and groups based on client’s needs using music improvisation, listening to music, song writing, discussion of lyrics, learning through music, musical imagery, and musical performance. The oldest English text concerning music and therapy was published in 1729 by Richard Brown called “A Mechanical Essay on the effects of Music, Singing and Dancing on the Human Body.” No musical ability is needed on the part of the client to participate in music therapy.
Benefits of Music Therapy
1. Elevates Mood
2. Counteracts Depression
3. Alleviates Pain
4. Promotes Movement
5. Calms the mind
6. Induces Sleep
7. Counteracts Apprehension and fear
8. Lessens muscle tension for the purpose of relaxation
9. Helps maintain physical, mental, social, and emotional functioning
10. Can strengthen communication skills and physical co-ordination
11. Helps people explore personal feelings
12. Helps strengthen family bonds and relieves conflict and tension
13. Helps establish trust and rapport between the client and the therapist. Can give commonality and a good starting point for discussion.
14. Improves self-esteem
15. Helps create a non-abusive lifestyle
16. Use instruments to express unspoken emotions
17. Promotes Independence
18. Facilitates communication
19. Improves social skills and decreases isolation
20. Helps develop coping skills in times of stress
21. Provides a non-threating environment
22. Provides structure and order
23. Can provide information about certain topics
24. Can be a means to learning new behaviour
25. Increases ‘on task’ behaviour
26. Improves control over motor skills
27. Increases participation in life
28. Helps develop creative expression
Activities
1. Singing – Helps people with speech impediments improve articulation, rhythm, and breath control. In group setting individuals develop a greater awareness of others by singing together. Songs help elderly people and people with memory disorders remember significant events. Lyrics can be used to help people with intellectual disabilities sequence tasks.
2. Playing Instruments – Improves gross motor and fine motor co-ordination for people with motor functioning impairments. Playing instruments in an ensemble helps people with behavioural issues learn how to control disruptive influences by working within a structured environment. Diverts inappropriate behaviour – you cannot punch others if you are holding an instrument in your hands. Learning a piece of music and preforming it develops skills which helps improve self-confidence, reliance, discipline, and self-esteem.
3. Improvisation – Offers a creative non-verbal means of expressing feelings. Improvisation helps the therapist establish a bond of trust with the client and is useful as an assessment technique. Through vocal, instrumental and movement improvisation people interact with each other and explore feelings which they are unable to express in real life. Improvisation also gives the client the opportunity to make choices and the ability to deal with structure in a creative way.
4. Rhythmic Movement – is used to improve and facilitate an individual’s mobility, agility, co-ordination, range of motion, gait consistency, balance, and strength. Rhythmic movement also helps with respiratory patterns and relaxation. Music increases enjoyment in life, motivation and persuades people to act socially.
5. Composing – Helps develop co-operation skills and makes it easier for the client to express their experiences, feelings, and ideas. Through songs clients can express their hopes, dreams, and fears. Composing is cathartic and can promote self-awareness.
6. Listening to Music – Aids in the development of cognitive skills such as memory and attention. Facilitates the process of coming to terms with issues that the client has by providing a creative environment for self-expression. Music facilitates images, memories, feelings, and thoughts which can be used as a starting point for discussion. Music is an excellent way of exploring one’s own culture as well as the culture of others.
Comments