Music at the Edge: The Music Therapy Experiences of a Musician with AIDS

Music at the Edge invites the reader to experience a complete music therapy journey through the words and music of the client, and the therapist’s reflections. Francis, a musician living with AIDS, challenged Colin Andrew Lee, the music therapist, to help clarify his feelings about living and dying. The relationship that developed between them enabled Francis the opportunity to reconsider the meaning of his life and subsequent physical decline, within a musical context. First published in 1996, Music at the Edge is a unique and compelling music therapy case study. In this new edition of the highly successful book, Colin retains the force of the original text through the lens of contemporary music therapy theory. This edition also includes more detailed narrative responses from the author and his role as a therapist and gay man. Central to the book are the audio examples from the sessions themselves. The improvisations Francis played and his insightful verbal explorations provide an extraordinary glimpse into the therapeutic process when working in palliative and end-of-life care. This illuminating book offers therapists, musicians, related professionals and those working with, or facing, illness and death a unique glimpse into the transcendent powers of music. It is also relevant to anyone interested in the creative account of a pianist’s discovery of life and death through music.

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Lee, Colin

Lee, Colin Andrew

Diseases & Physical Ailments

Routledge

Music at the Edge invites the reader to experience a complete music therapy journey through the words and music of the client, and the therapist’s reflections. Francis, a musician living with AIDS, challenged Colin Andrew Lee, the music therapist, to help clarify his feelings about living and dying. The relationship that developed between them enabled Francis the opportunity to reconsider the meaning of his life and subsequent physical decline, within a musical context.  First published in 1996, Music at the Edge is a unique and compelling music therapy case study. In this new edition of the highly successful book, Colin retains the force of the original text through the lens of contemporary music therapy theory. This edition also includes more detailed narrative responses from the author and his role as a therapist and gay man. Central to the book are the audio examples from the sessions themselves. The improvisations Francis played and his insightful verbal explorations provide an extraordinary glimpse into the therapeutic process when working in palliative and end-of-life care.   This illuminating book offers therapists, musicians, related professionals and those working with, or facing, illness and death a unique glimpse into the transcendent powers of music. It is also relevant to anyone interested in the creative account of a pianist’s discovery of life and death through music.

It is surprising there are only a few published guides on how to learn to clinically improvise. This publication aims to redress this gap by providing a comprehensive workbook specifically designed to give music therapists the tools to successfully improvise in their work. Knowledge of formal properties of music and associated cultural contexts will inform and influence the practice of music therapy. Each player and therapist must find their own way of playing so they can bring musical authenticity to their work. Just as piano students explore different interpretations and meanings of the same Beethoven sonata, so each exercise can be interpreted and applied according to the therapist s own developing voice. The layout of the workbook was designed to make the content practical, accessible and concrete. By basing oneself in authentic musical renditions, readers will experience each style in way that cannot be described in words. This publication can be used as a reference, in order to address specific clinical situations, and as a daily practicing guide for long-term study. The book contains valuable information for therapists, educators and general musicians interested in developing the use improvisation in their work.

Improvising in Styles: A Workbook for Music Therapists, Educators, and Musicians

Arts & Photography

Houde, Marc

Music

Barcelona Pub

Paul Nordoff's inspirational gift to the development of creative musicianship and the art of clinical improvisation has placed him as one of the leading figures in music therapy. His uncompromising and meticulous approach to the compositional qualities of music in therapy has set a standard that continues to inspire music therapists to this day. Through the Nordoff-Robbins approach he fulfilled his vision of work that would meet the needs of children with musical quality and respect. What is not commonly known, however, is that before becoming a therapist, Nordoff was an established American composer. This book aims to unearth and analyze his compositions, comparing his creative processes as a composer with his gifts as a clinical musician. The art of music in music therapy should never be compromised at the expense of non-musical aims. Nordoff's role as a composer and music therapist is a shining example of this belief. This book is on one level a historical discovery and analysis of Nordoff's art compositions. On another and perhaps more important level, it is a journey of discovery and the importance of acknowledging the inspirations of music as both art and therapy. Nordoff's creativity as a composer and music therapist moved seamlessly between each other, and as such an evaluation of his artistic endeavors is integral to understanding his contributions to music therapy.

Paul Nordoff: Composer & Music Therapist

Biographies & Memoirs

Arts & Literature

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Books by Lee, Colin Andrew