Customer Reviews

Music Therapy for Non-Musicians (Beginnings)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Ted Andrews is also the author of Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small, How to Meet and Work with Spirit Guides, The Healer's Manual: A Beginner's Guide to Energy Therapies (Llewellyn's Health and Healing Series), Nature-Speak: Signs, Omens and Messages in Nature, How To See and Read The Aura (How To Series), etc.

He wrote in the Introduction to this 1997 book, "I chose not to give any more theory than is necessary in this handbook. Instead I tried to focus on what is practical and usable by the average individual. The exercises included will enable you to experience the various effects of sound and music in healing the body, mind, and spirit."

Here are some quotations from the book:

"Chinese healers using singing stones... Egypt had entire choruses and orchestras by the time of the pyramids. Shamans in many aboriginal and native societies use drums and rattles to heal the body..." (Pg. 3-4)
"In music therapy, resonance is the ability for a sound vibration or frequency to reach out and trigger a response in the human body." (Pg. 24)
"Most sound and music therapies are easily applied by anyone, but music therapy is an active process. It is more than just listening to some music and 'being healed.' Listening passively will help, but the effects are not nearly as beneficial or long lasting as they are if we make a concerted effort to consciously enjoy and reinforce the process." (Pg. 32)
"Baroque music is the most basic and therapeutic kind of music that can best benefit the circulatory system." (Pg. 64)
"Music therapy is the application of sound, musical instruments, songs, compositions, and anything musical to assist in the well-being of an individual." (Pg. 272)

This book is very misleading to the general public. Music Therapy is a professional field supported by real and documented research. IF you are looking for information about Music Therapy then save your money and look for books written by certified music therapy professionals who reference their material with accurate research.

There are practical music therapy exercises here, but you have to go through explanations of chakras for it. Music therapy for your digestive chakra? Okay, I know some people do hold those beliefs, but this sounded like a practical book. It isn't if you're not into this kind of meditation. I think the price appealed to me, but it wasn't worth it. If you think Shirley McLaine is on the right track, then you will like this book, otherwise, seek advice elsewhere.

One cannot "do music therapy" for oneself. Music therapists hold degrees, complete internships and are board certified. Although music can be considered therapeutic, music therapy itself is a specific professional application. If you would like information on true music therapy please go to the American Music Therapy Association website [...].