This blog entry was inspired by a chat that I recently has with a music therapy colleague, which then carried over into a discussion with and occupational speech therapist. I would be interested in knowing your thoughts….

What is indigenous (and intrinsic) to music therapy? What do we offer, as MTs, that is unique and specific to our medium and discipline? And, are we, as MTs, clinically utilizing those very things that are specific to only music and music therapy in our clinical work and writing, such as aesthetics and the relational properties that are unique to music making. Or, are we simply using the byproducts of music?- This would be the equivalent to using a book as a door stop, a sculpture as a paperweight, music as “white noise”, a painting to hide a hole in the wall, etc.

Do we use music as a motivator? Is that unique to MT?

Do we use music because it’s non-threatening (is it really always non-threatening??) way to work with clients? Is being non-threatening really unique to only music therapy?

Do we use music for non-musical goals, such as speech, physical, etc.? is that unique to MT?

Is using music unique to what music has to offer??

Thoughts??

Best,

John