by Karin Breuer

Created on: April 09, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

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Everyday Music Therapy

The American Music Therapy Association defines music therapy as "the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program." (AMTA, 2005)

The benefits of studying music have been clearly delineated and researched. http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/12ben efits.html We know that music affects moods, alters perception and increases brain activity. Music can affect heart rate, it can reduce chronic pain and it aids in physical healing. Music affects brainwaves and therefore can be used to slow us down, let us relax and reduce our levels of stress.

Music is a universal language that crosses all cultures and belief systems and is therefore a readily available tool of intervention. Music speaks to all age groups and has no linguistic or cognitive pre-requisites.

But what about people who have not studied music; who have no instrumental training? Music therapy is not the same as engaging in music lessons. Music therapy uses music and making music as a means to increase cognition and enhance emotional and social health.

Everyday music therapy is not the same as clinical music therapy. It borrows from the clinician and applies it to our everyday well being. We can practice it without the help of a therapist and use it for our enjoyment or the enhancement of our own health.

Make music a habit. Choose music for the mood that you wish to enhance and use it for background, for relaxation or for studying or learning a new skill. Because music activates all areas of the brain, we can tailor the music we listen to with the activity that we want to perform. If we wish to learn a new concept or skill, a baroque style of music is beneficialthe music of Vivaldi, Handel and Bachwhich tend to flatten our brain waves allowing new information to be easily processed and remembered. For meditation, music that includes sounds of nature have been found to be especially helpful. Upbeat music such as Mozart lifts the spirit and reduces feelings of stress or anxiety. Many kinds of religious music especially hymns have a calming and uplifting effect on the listener.

Discordant music by more modern artists including rock artists appear to have a detrimental effect on the human psyche. Studies have shown that the sound produced in modern music either do not benefit the listener by changing mood or have a harmful effect by increasing anxiety levels.

Choose music wisely and enjoy. Select classical music for long motor trips to increase both energy and relaxation. Choose nature-embedded music for the end of the day when work has left you frazzled. Try Vivaldi's Four Seasons when you are studying for a final exam or start learning a new skill. Put on some Mozart when your favorite great aunt comes to visit and enjoy the experience of using everyday music therapy to enhance your life and the lives of those around you.

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