To understand how music in general can heal – and why Mozart is particularly therapeutic for many people -one must understand sound and its effect on physical matter. In the book Cymatics, Hans Jenny, a Swiss engineer and doctor, describes the science of how sound and vibration interact with matter.
Continue reading Music Therapy: Understanding How Music Heals
The power of Mozart’s music came to public attention largely through innovative research at the University of California in the mid-1990s. At the Centre for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory in Irvine, a research team began to look at the effects of Mozart on college students and children.
How does music affect our well-being? It seems there is no definitive answer to this question. However, experts in the field of music and sound therapy feel there are two major ways in which music and sound can affect our lives.
Music of many different genres can help enhance the mind/body connection. Healing mantras, chants, and incantations have ancient and obscure origins but are seen throughout history and in every major world culture -Hinduism, Muslim, Judaism, Native American, Polynesian, Asian, Sufi, etc.
Continue reading Music Therapy: The Power of Chant and Toning
Plato believed that music was “the essence of order”.
Since the beginning of recorded history, music has played a significant role in the healing of humankind, writes Amrita Cottrell, who has researched the subject with immense care. Music and healing were communal activities natural to everyone. In ancient Greece, Apollo was both the god of music and medicine.
A sound wave basically causes changes in air pressure as it moves through the air. Our ears respond to this information and our brain processes it into sound information.
There are a number of researchers currently working with sound looking to effect a change in the physical body and/or the etheric field.
A second principle that music utilises in affecting patients is the principle of diversion. This method of utilising music and sound is helpful in taking the attention away from an unpleasant or unwanted situation.
Not yet a systematised discipline, there are different methods to approach music therapy. These includes
The improvisational model often includes Nordoff-Robbins, Clinical Orff Schulwerk, or other types of improvisational styles. The basic philosophy of improvisational music therapy is that these techniques elicit a client’s response from every level.
Continue reading Music Therapy: Improvisational Music Therapy
John Oliver believes music has a profound influence on the human body. John Oliver is an Associate I Composer of the Canadian *”Music Centre and co-director of Earsay Productions.