Customer Reviews

The Tao of Music: Sound Psychology

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Having recently purchased and read several books within this popular genre (Mozart Effect, Tuning Your Brain) I was fortunate enough to have this book recommended by one of my colleagues. As a psychologist, parent and music therapist I have to say that this is--without doubt--the most practical, accessible, and straightforward book in the bunch. Writing from the heart, Dr. Ortiz has crafted a work of love that speaks of personal journeys and professional pursuits that have culminated into a book to assist people of all ages in dealing with common, everyday concerns. In essence, this book uses a well balanced combination of practical exercises, zen philosophy, psychological research, book and music research resources and case examples to illustrate how any of us can use many different types of music to help us get through life's nagging, disturbing and otherwise troubling events. This book is both a pleasure and a treasure, as both a parent and a professional I give it my highest recommendation.

This book is filled with wonderful, well researched, practical information. The case stories presented throughout the book are fascinating and inspirational. It is obvious this book came from the heart. The exercises are excellently described, simple to follow and best of all, they work! I had no idea that something as accessible as the music we so often take for granted can be consciously used to help us to literally transform our lives. In particular, I have found the chapters on using music and sound to help us get to sleep, to design a complete exercise program, and as an aid for meditation and creativity extremely helpful as well as fun. However, Dr. Ortiz's chapter on using music to add spice to "Romantic Intimacy" tops them all! This book has everything! I recommend it 100%!

Having purchased this wonderful book a few months ago I have recently had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Ortiz lecture on his theories of Sound Psychology which are exquisitively detailed in his practical, delightfully written volume: The Tao of Music: Sound Psychology. As a clinician, I recommend this well-researched and scholarly, yet highly accessible volume, to colleagues in the mental health and social service fields wholeheartedly. As a firm believer in taking responsibility for "composing" my life's path, creating harmony and "raising my sound awareness" for the purpose of improving my quality of life, I recommend this book HIGHLY. In short, Dr. Ortiz--a licensed, psychologist with a wealth of clinical experience--has lovingly brought together years of research, consulting, clinical work and his own life experiences to provide us with a book that belongs in everyone's bookshelf. For each of us who has experienced feelings of sadness, anger, stress, despair, loneliness, exhaustion or isolation, Dr. Ortiz offers a number of musical options that will help to soothe the pains and savor the pleasures of life. Thank you Dr. O...I anxiously await your future publications!

I originally purchased this book based on two, completely unrelated endorsements from colleagues who have found it consistently useful both in their personal lives and their professional practices. Having read this excellent book I can honestly say that it is a wise, cost effective investment. The fact that each clearly written, well researched chapter stands on its own makes it very easy to find a topic one is dealing with (using music to handle anger or depression for instance, or designing a personal exercise or relaxation program) and putting together a personalized program from among the many practical exercises suggested. The hundreds of recommended song titles are refreshingly modern and amazingly effective. If extra reseach into a particular area is necessary each chapter offers a number of relevant professional articles and resources to fit each target area.

As a professional trainer, however, I find this book takes an added dimension and provides an excellent resource for anyone designing programs to address many typical issues encountered throughout corporate or industrial settings such as time management, procrastination, motivation, productivity, relaxation, communication skills, social relations, and a host of other relevant areas encountered in management, education or business.

I recommend the Tao of Music highly both as a professional resource for trainers and a personal tool to help address day to day situations.

Julian Evans Corporate Trainer

I loved this book! In very understandable terms, it defines what many of us have done for years, or use music to change and orchestrate our moods and lives. Juxtaposing human interest stories with the musicology techniques kept me interested throughout. Even the appendices at the end, explaining the science behind synchronicity or musical memory (the way that certain songs take you back to a particular place and time) kept me glued! I admit that this review is a bit reactionary. I could see, as in the "anonymous psychologist's" review, if someone is very troubled, listening to "Sunny Side of the Street" might be dangerous, but so could watching reruns of "Friends"! It's the old argument that some MD's use about vitamins, you know, that Vitamin C should only be available by prescription. Definitely extreme cases should be referred to professionals, but most of us just need a little less stress, some comfort, extra fun, and general wellbeing. I appreciate Dr. Ortiz's empowering average individuals to use the tools at their disposal (music!) to improve themselves. I found the "Tao" to be a caring and unique book. I highly recommend it.

I just received this gem of a book as a Christmas gift and have not been able to put it down. This is an easy to read, superbly insightful volume with quick, accessible and practical chapters
that should be in everyone's bookshelf right at eye level. As an avid, long time collector of alternative (complementary) therapy approaches I find this to be the most comprehensive book I have ever laid hands on. A pity that, being published by a small publisher, it has not received the "marketing muscle" of much lesser volumes. Bringing together eastern thought, simple-common sense psychology (fully validated by research that supports all of the approaches throughout the book), and music from one's own collection the Tao of Music is a gift for mind, body and soul.
If you have children rush out and also get his "Nurturing Your Child with Music," sensational.

Having been lured by the ubiquitous hype of "The Mozart Effect" I bought that book a while back and was sorely disappointed. The Tao of Music, however, is a completely different story. This is a book that is obviously exhaustively researched and that does not make any other wordly claims. In plain, simple language it lists hundreds of realistic exercises that can be appreciated and done by anyone. The stories that Dr. Ortiz, a licensed, clinical psychologist, uses to introduce his concepts and techniques are poignant, relevant and believable, and as good as the best ones found throughout the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series. On top of that, the hundreds of short little "zen parables" that are found throughout are alone worth the price of this fascinating book. Buy it, you'll like it!

The most amazing thing about this wonderful book is the way it addresses essentially every area of concern that one encounters on a daily basis. The subtitle is accurate: music CAN help us to take control of, and positively change our lives. This book is so well written, and flows so pleasantly, that--particularly for a self-help book--it is hard to put down! The case stories throughout it are very helpful and in no way sensationalistic, like in so many other similar books. These stories are pertinent and help to clarify other points made throughout the text. I have turned to this book many times seeking creative alternatives to ways of approaching typical situations that we all encounter day to day. It has NEVER let me down! Having recommended, or purchased it for a number of friends their opinion consistently supports my own. The book, as well as his relaxation CD that complements it (The Soothing Pulse) are marvelous. Filled with smiles and positive pathways.

John Ortiz has provided professionals and lay persons alike with an invaluable resource in The Tao of Music. As a musician and occupational therapist, I am presently sharing the joy and healing power of music with persons having a variety of maladies, including the general "well" public who wants to maintian wellness. In my work, I use Dr. Ortiz's book as a guide for such areas as depression, insomnia, stress management, aging and pain management. I have found his "Musical Menus" helpful in providing music which speaks to us beyond aural awareness - music which touches mind, body, emotion and spirit. With the inclusion of popular, classical and New Age listings, we are given a wide variety of masically nourishing selections from which to discover what appeals to our individual musical "tastebuds." Ortiz goes to great lengths to emphasize that music plays an important part in healing without being a quick fix, and to bring us solidly substantiated research in this exciting field. His work clearly comes from many dedicated years of working with people and researching, as well as having a passion for music. It is truly a work of love, from his heart to ours.

Simple to read. Relevant to laypersons and professionals. Essentially any "issue" we all deal with is addressed in this book written in a clear, practical, orderly format. I use it often in my practice (I am a psychotherapist) and recommend it to my clients who rave about it without fail. My wife, a high school teacher, also uses it to assist in her lessons plans. Exceptional!