Vol 3 No 2 1989
Published: Thu 1st June

This Journal is available to purchase

Journal Articles:
Vibroacoustic Therapy: The Therapeutic Effect of Low Frequency Sound on Specific Physical Disorders and Disabilities (p6 - p10)
view abstract
This article traces the early development of vibroacoustic therapy, and some of the theoretical basis for its use in a treatment procedure. It describes some of the initial work in the Scandinavian countries, gives examples of the type of problems that low frequency sound and music have been particularly effective in treating, and puts into perspective the use of music and sound as a physically effective means of treating people in comparison with the interactive forms of intervention commonly used by music therapists. Much of the case material described in the article (Norwegian and English) is anecdotal. In the latter section of this paper, current research is described.
Structural Analysis of Therapeutic Improvisatory Music (p11 - p19)
view abstract
The hypothesis concerning analysis of pre-composed music and its significance in providing awareness for ensuing clinical situations (Schmidt, 1984), reveals further complex issues with regard to improvised therapeutic music. The author will illustrate that much may be ascertained from analysing a passage of improvised music, in relation to future perceptual directions. The client's development within music therapy is not the main consideration; nonetheless, at certain locations it becomes pertinent, in validating comprehensively this analytical study, to draw upon subjective issues relating to musical process and therapeutic outcome. The design of this paper encompasses, in the main, abstractions relating to specific musical techniques, their affiliation with behavioural analysis, and the ensuing clinical implications of these aligned interpretations. An atonal comparative sectional analysis is to be subsequently studied in a future publication, looking more specifically at the relationship between tonality, atonality and the significance of these factors for the future research of therapeutic improvised situation.
The Question of Music Therapy with Mentally Handicapped Adults (p20 - p23)
view abstract
Recent emphasis on the 'normalisation' of adults with a mental handicap has called into question the provision of 'segregated' activities. Those things which are given the term 'therapy' are often seen as setting the mentally handicapped apart from the rest of the community. This article seeks to explore music therapy as something which may help any of us to relate more positively to others , and thus, with the mentally handicapped, contribute to their normalisation. The importance of allowing space for the response of the individual is emphasised, and account of therapy with two adults with a mental handicap are given.
To write or Not to Write (p24 - p26)
Case Study Review (p27)
Back to Journals