Topic Tuesday // 19 Jan, 7pm AEDT // Music Therapy

[LM_Bee]

@Jacques I think it allows the emotion to be felt, first and foremost. Listening (or singing along) to music that matches our mood can be so cathartic.  Sometimes expressing ourselves and feeling heard is enough to lift our mood.  That said, when a low mood is persisting, that's when it might be good to try things to try and take us out of it such as putting on music that you love or that evokes positive memories, or any other strategies that you might have (e.g. going for a walk, calling a friend etc).

[Mazarita]

But I think you listen to music, @PeppiPatty?

[LM_Bee]

@Former-Member the great thing about music therapy is that you don't actually have to be musical to do it! It's different from entertainment or from music education because you are focussing on health and wellbeing, rather than performing or learning musical skills. 

[PeppiPatty]

mmmm...not really. I really love your video things and found this beautiful music with a lovely Aborigiional lady telling stories in the background of the 'music,' of nature called Diva.I put that on once a fortnight or Tracy Chapman once amonth.......

I find that the stress Im experiencing pretty much consumes me. It's sad..... I do put on Tracy Chapman sometimes ....

[Former-Member]

@PeppiPatty that’s interesting that music annoys you now. I wonder how that’s come about. I know that I used to be able to listen to music that was a lot more abrasive in the past but now I prefer music that is more relaxing and chilled out. Do you find there is some music you enjoy? Mazarita mentioned that sometimes just the sounds of nature can be a relaxing kind of music.

@Former-Member, from what I’ve read about music therapy, anyone can benefit. I think everyone has the ability to connect with music, be it through listening to the lyrics and melody or dancing to the rhythm or both! 

@LM_Bee, in what kinds of scenarios have you used music therapy in your practice? You also mentioned glee clubs earlier. Could you explain what they are?

[Jacques]

Yes you are right @LM_Bee, it is a fine line between prolonging the feeling and moving on, i do it a lot prolong the feeling, i think sometimes trying to will myself to not be here anymore, hoping it pushes me over the edge. 

it would be nice to have friends to talk too, but i don't have any 😞 but when i used to walk i always had "energetic" music playing to keep me focused and feeling energised, it does help when your mood is down to listen to positive triggering memories.

Do you think it is better to play an instrument or listen to music?

i have never learned how to play an instrument, (well i think in primary school i had to learn the recorder, but i was no good at it) 

[Former-Member]

I can't listen to sad music when my mood is low... it makes it worse.... Most of the time I can only enjoy listening to music when I'm feeling "okay"....

[LM_Bee]

Okay, finally getting to your question @Former-Member

So, what does this actually look like in a session? Well, you might choose songs that reflect what you are thinking or feeling. This might be the way that you can communicate how you feel to your Music Therapist, or your family/friends. This is especially helpful when you might not have the words to express yourself. Listening to or singing particular songs, and looking at the lyrics, might help to gain some self-insight. You might work through the lyrics of a song with your Music Therapist - thinking about what it is about, work out ways that the person in the song could help themselves, think about if any of these things might also help you... This is one way to work on processing what is going on for you, and working out some strategies that might be helpful.

[PeppiPatty]

@LM_Bee

What do you find the most popular music these days?? 

Yeah,. I do get annoyed with music........maybe Im just a grouchy lady ( in a good way)who should just stay at home and handsew......

my husband is very good to me 

[Former-Member]

I used to love dancing when I was a child & even teenager - I am too self conscious about my dancing abilities (or lack of) now to enjoy it.... I wish I had of had dancing lessons too! (I did have drama lessons!)....