Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 3

Jared Urbano

Mrs.Thomas

3/19/20

UWRT 1104

Synthesis of Sources

In my inquiry process on how music therapy is used to treat trauma and other mental

illnesses I have found sources that discuss the effect of music on the brain to influence mood,

how each part of the brain is affected by music and the history of music therapy and is used

throughout history. The relationship between mental health and music is one that has been

around for years and has helped a variety of people all across the globe.

The first source I provided was an article by the University of Central Florida. It is an

article discussing the relationship between music and the brain. It breaks down the benefits

music can have in relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, it provides information

on the way music stimulates parts of the brain and allows for them to further be enhanced by

music and music therapy when trying to cope with these issues. Similarly in a journal pertaining

to the topic by Indian doctors Nizamie and Tikka also discuss the benefits provided for the brain

when dealing with mental illness. They broke down the process of music therapy into the

different types of processing associated with the practice such as emotional, perceptual, and

autonomi processing through the method of therapy. They discuss also how one is to benefit

through this process of music therapy. Lastly, an article by Molly Warren, a music therapist also

flows well with the ideas presented before her. Within the article she gave a good overview into

the practice of music therapy. She then breaks down her process into 4 separate methods of

therapy: Lyric analysis, Improvisation music playing, Active Music Listening and Songwriting.
Through these methods each patient is able to channel whatever problem they may be having

mentally and produce something beautiful from their pain. She too discusses the great benefits

her patients receive from her practice and advocates for music therapy extremely just as the

sources before her.

The ideas of the effect music will have on one’s mood and how the parts of one’s brain

are affected by music go hand in hand. Within the article “Music and the Brain: What Happens

When You’re Listening to Music.” the journal “Psychiatry and Music.” and the article “The

Impact Of Music On Mental Health.” all present these ideas. They provide a great insight on all

the interactions between the brain and music. All come from well known and respected

individuals in the field of music therapy, psychology, or some mental health related field. They

all have similar ideas on how music helps by being a medium for people to be able to cope with

situations that have caused them to develop some sort of mental illness. Furthermore, the sources

provide information on how music can stimulate different parts of the brain such as the frontal

lobe providing benefits with memory. Ultimately these sources compile information that points

to music therapy having extreme benefits for those who struggle with mental illness and provide

research to support their findings.

Presenting Ideas that correlate towards the history of Music therapy include the articles

by the American Association for Music Therapy and Dr.Greensburgs article of the first music

therapist. The AAMT article presented information on the topic of music therapy but was limited

since it only really documented the medical practices of it. It provided information about the first

instance where music was implemented in the 1800s for medical treatments. And later how the

AAMT was founded and has provided many people will benefit from the practice they support

so much. In contrast, Greenberg's article focuses on his search for the very first instance of music
therapy in history. He describes how the thought entered his mind and he began research and

stumbled upon a religious instance where a servant played music for a kind and eventually cured

the king's depression. This instance was the very first instance he was able to find and provided a

great insight on how this practice has been around far before our civilizations, Furthermore it

shows the benefits music has on mental health even in this instance where technology to prove it

didn't exist. Although these sources do not correlate exactly I believe they provide two sides to

the same story when it comes to the history and use of music therapy throughout history.

The history of music therapy is obvious; the practice has been around for many years it

just wasn't officially “Music Therapy”. The article “The World’s First Music Therapist” and

“The American Music Therapy Association: History of Music therapy” Both present the practice

of music therapy and provide an insight on how much it's changed from its humble origins. Both

articles give an insight into a history that is derived straight from medical history of the practice

and an insight into the history of the practice from a religious aspect. The evolution of the topic

is what is most impressive, seeing how much science goes into seeing how the overall chemical

balance of the brain reacts as it listens to whatever music is played for it. All in all, music

therapy has been around for years and a variety of different people from all around the world

have benefited from it. Although it is said to be a new practice, the usefulness and practice of this

therapy method has been in plain sight all throughout history.

Вам также может понравиться