Info about Songs
Music Therapy
In an era when more people are looking for alternatives to drug treatment for physical and emotional problems, music therapy is growing as an accepted method for dealing with individual problems.
• Definition
Music therapy is the use of music to aid physical, psychological, and emotional integration of an individual. It also treats illnesses or disabilities.
This therapy is very effective for people with physical or mental disabilities, especially with autistics and schizophrenics.
The idea behind music therapy is that it exposes patients to successful experiences with music, which can lead to feelings of accomplishment and self-worth. Because music therapy occurs in non-competitive settings, familiar music leads to relaxation and feelings of comfort. It also lets the patient express feelings he or she cannot state in words.
• Professional Music Therapist
The professional music therapist is part of a team that works to develop a patient’s greatest potential. Along with psychologists and/or physicians, the professional music therapist puts together a set of specific musical activities that help meet the patients needs.
The program is periodically evaluated and adjustments are made to fill the patient’s needs.
• Methods
The four basic methods used by musical therapists are known as Improvisational, singing and discussions, guided imagery and music, and Clinical Orif Schulwerk.
• Improvisational Music Therapy
The improvisational model often includes parts from various music therapy styles. The basic philosophy of the improvisational music therapy is that these techniques elicit a client’s responses from every level. It develops contact with the client within the context of the musical experience.
The music therapist in this model often works supportively, creating a musical emotional environment that accepts and enhances the client’s responses. This method provides experiences for socialization, communication, and the expression of feelings and emotions among group participants.
The most common instruments used for this method are rhythm instruments and Orff instruments. The music therapist can also integrate movement, speech, and drama in this model.
• Singing and Discussions
Singing and discussions are typical music therapy methods which can be used for psychiatric, adolescent populations, as well as for the elderly. The music stimulates the clients’ responses to the lyric parts. Sometimes the music encourages the expression of thoughts and feelings associated with the songs.
In a typical session, the therapist opens by singing songs familiar to the clients. After singing several songs, the therapist leads a discussion related to the themes of the songs. Once each client expressed and discussed his or her own thoughts, feelings, and ideas, the therapist improvises a song with the words from the clients.
This can be a very positive conclusion to the session, because each client might carry over his or her feelings and emotions in productive ways.
• Guided Imagery and Music (GIM)
GIM is a technique in which the act of listening to classical music is combined with a relaxed state of mind and body in order to evoke imagery for the purpose of self-actualization. The imagery evoked reflects aspects of the self and is used by the client, with the aid of the therapist.
GIM therapists do not intend to cure or treat symptoms. Instead, GIM is used to help the client find inner awareness. A GIM therapist operates under a belief that a patient can understand his or her problems and has the ability to overcome the problem within themselves.
• Clinical Orff Schulwerk (COS)
This approach, utilizing the method of music education developed by Carl Orff for German school children, has been specially adapted for mentally retarded and autistic children in the United States. COS offers an effective groundwork for these children, because of their pre-disposition toward rhythm, order and repetition.
The overall process involves the use of movement, rhythm, sounds, language and musical expression in a group experience. Structure is provided by the simple chants, rondos, poems, and nonsense words employed.
Specially-designed percussion instruments permit the participation of even the most severely disturbed or handicapped child. Through “successive approximation, specific tasks are taught in a concrete step-by-step approach. Learning is affected through modeling (imitation) and behavior shaping, reinforced by behavioral techniques.
With groups of autistic children, considerable attention is given to language development through the use of sign language, which is seen as enhancing speech. Among other areas dealt with in the Orff context are body image and awareness, laterality, gross motor expression, fine motor coordination, receptive language, spatial relationships, simple categorizing and simple association.
The significant value of COS is that it helps the child to become invested in a meaningful group experience.