Composition and Improvisation Resources for Music Therapists

Audio examples accompanying this book can be found at: www.barcelonapublishers.com/resources/downloads/composition_improvisation_audio.zip

Companion to "Song Resources for Music Therapists," this collection of compositions and themes for improvising is intended to provide music therapists with innovative ideas for creating music in a therapy setting. Based on the belief that aesthetic quality should be equal to non-musical clinical goals, the music presented is essentially artistic. The text is divided into seven parts: compositions, improvising with orchestral instruments, themes in world styles, themes in contemporary styles, receptive themes, levels of interaction, and interval explorations. The richness of material presented, from around the world, bears testament to the growing need for music therapy to expand its musical horizons. The different sections of the book have been created to provide music therapists with a wealth of new musical material. From the use of orchestral instruments, to improvised receptive themes, and the practical application of rap and hip-hop this book is contemporary and ground breaking. Each section focuses on a specific musical or clinical resource and can be adapted for different situations including work with children, adolescents, adults, long term and end-of-life care. It is our hope that this volume will also be of use for community music therapists, medical music therapists as well as a source of inspiration for music psychotherapists. This book then, offers new approaches and the potential for current and international musical trends to affect present-day clinical practice.