What is a Therapeutic Musician?

Music has been a common element in human culture since the earliest recorded history. Studies of why and how music was used are the subject of extensive research. The bottom line is that music is a powerful force for many people and can be used with much benefit for comfort and healing.

Clinical or Healing Music is an art based on the science of sound. It is live, acoustic music, played (or sung) which is specifically tailored to a patient’s immediate need. This brings music’s intrinsic healing value to the bedside. Music is used as an adjunct to medical care. People may not be cured physically from a disease, but music can help them heal emotionally.
 

What is the difference between a Music Therapist and a Clinical or Healing Musician? A music therapist uses musical instruments and music making as therapeutic tools, primarily to rehabilitate the normal functions of living and improve the quality of life through studying and promoting measurable changes in behavior. There are often hands-on interactions between the therapist and the patient.

A Therapeutic Musician (Clinical/Healing Musician) uses the artistic application of the intrinsic elements of live music and sound to provide an environment conducive to the healing process. Clinical Musicians are trained to support healthcare professionals by playing live music at the bedsides of patients in hospital, home or hospice settings. Most Clinical Musicians are graduates of certified programs offered throughout the US. Our training includes clinical deportment and protocol, codes, legal issues, corporate compliance, confidentiality, infection control, monitoring equipment overviews, anatomy and physiology overviews, hospice training and certification, patient populations, repertoire styles for specific patient needs, advanced musical skills like improvisation and modulation, business training, and an internship.

Music's healing effects are fourfold: Emotional, Physical, Psychological and Spiritual.

Certain types of music can encourage the production of endorphins and serotonin, which can either relax or stimulate us. For example, the major keys in our musical scale are more cheerful sounding while the minor keys are sad. In therapeutic music, patients usually respond better (as indicated by their vital signs) to music in major keys. Minor keys, being more cathartic, are useful in promoting communication and assisting in the grief process.

You might wonder if recorded music would have the same effects. Although all music has healing capabilities, studies have shown that live tones are much more effective on the patient. Recorded music is digitized, filtered and compressed.  Also, the Healing Musician is a warm and caring presence who is able to respond to the patient from moment to moment, for instance by changing tunes if a melody unexpectedly brings up a very sad memory.

Many types of music can be played effectively at bedside. Some patients may prefer sacred music, while others actively dislike it. Therapeutic music is always designed to be used 1-on-1 with individuals. Each patient has unique needs and the patient's circumstances determine the specific music played. The types of music used can be melody or no melody, pulse rhythm or non-rhythmic, modal, familiar or varietal. The Healing Musician must take under consideration the patient's physical and mental condition each time we play.

Many instruments can be used effectively for providing healing music. These include harp, hammered dulcimer, flute, cello, viola, and voice among others.

The most important thing to remember is that a Healing Musician is not an entertainer. Our music is brought to the bedside for specific purposes like managing pain or addressing anxiety.