A Song Is Born: Discovering Meaning in Improvised Songs through a Phenomenological Analysis of Two Music Therapy Sessions with a Traumatic Spinal-cord Injured Young Adult

Abstract

Defines the phenomenon of "improvised song," discusses its meaning, and describes research conducted at Rusk Rehabilitation Center in New York City, based on observations of music therapy sessions for 1 mo with a traumatic spinal-cord-injured young man (aged 20 yrs). A description of the specific phenomenological method employed is given. The session material is analyzed according to this 7-step method. The analysis highlights the essential qualities of 2 music therapy sessions and the meaning of the improvised songs that came into existence during these sessions. It also highlights the inherent struggle of the S's existence and the resources that he drew on in coping, and shows the meaning of music therapy for him. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)