Music Therapy in a Different Key

Abstract

Discusses the use of music therapy in an outreach program for 20 senior citizens, who were selected on the basis of their social isolation, poverty, physical disability, and lack of assertiveness, that was designed to promote social interaction, enhance feelings of self-worth, and teach more assertive behavior. The actual outreach program extended over a 21/2-yr period, while music therapy continued for 10 sessions. Six of these sessions are discussed chronologically and involved warm-up and introduction to rhythm and sound, silence vs conversation, dealing with anger, abstract art and music, words and their meaning, and human interaction. The techniques utilized elementary building blocks of music (body percussion, environmental sounds and images, voice, and percussion instruments) to create simple sound collages in addition to vocal and instrumental improvisations. The program elicited positive reactions, as evidenced by clients' increased spontaneity and ability to express feelings, both verbally and nonverbally. Their initiative, ability to assume leadership roles, and willingness to express social feelings toward the group also significantly increased. Recommendations for the music therapist are presented. (19 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)