The Importance of Being in Tune
Basic Principles of Music Therapy
It can be observed that while listening to a person speaking with a hoarse voice can cause one’s own throat to feel sore. It appears that when we listen, our vocal chords ‘try’ to vibrate in ‘tune’ with what we hear. When I practiced the violin, and produced a scratchy sound for a few minutes, I would get a sore throat. The same happens when my clavichord gets out of tune, esp. when the string pairs that make up one note are slightly out. This produces a kind of grinding sound. To me, this is an indication that we do not listen with the ears alone. Already five decades ago scientists began measuring by means of EEG, EKG, breathing patterns and capillary contraction and expansion how our body reacts to different sounds and music. Some generalized conclusions can be drawn from the result of these tests, which by today are becoming increasingly more sophisticated.
It is clear that if you want an army to march to war, that you won’t play a lullaby; the Marseillaise will hardly put anyone to sleep either. However, the choice of music has to be relative to the recipient’s background. While I observe many people falling asleep when hearing Bach (perhaps because it is too complex to follow, and/or because it is unfamiliar). Bach wakes me up and makes it difficult to go to sleep with. Therefore the choice of music in therapy is a delicate balancing between what the therapist can competently produce and stand behind, and how the client can relate to it.
The choice of instrument can also be important for achieving particular outcomes of the therapy. There are many suggestions out there. However, (I use this word quite frequently;) If a therapist is competent on a wind instrument, it would not be wise for him/her to use a stringed instrument that is indicated for a particular treatment, if competence thereon is lacking.
Reflections 