Music Therapy: A Perspective from the Humanities

In this book, Even Ruud argues for using the humanities as a basis for the theory and practice of music therapy. Through ten chapters, he discusses basic principles of a humanistic outlook and how these may affect music therapy. He takes departure from the relational turn in psychotherapy and discusses concepts such as communicative musicality, thirdness in improvisation, and recognition. Ruud goes on to discuss musical identity from a developmental perspective, i.e. how music serves different functions in the formation of our identities throughout life. Drawing from the recent philosophies of music, body, and gesture, Ruud suggests a bodily foundation for the experience of meaning in music, with implications for our understanding of therapeutic improvisation and listening. Theories from empowerment theory and notions on health and quality of life lead into a chapter on community music therapy. A chapter is also devoted to philosophies of science. In his concluding chapter, Ruud gives examples of how everyday musicking through smart phones and mp3-technology may initiate a new area in the use of music as a self-caring technology.