Search results
Jun 30, 2022 · What is music therapy? “Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” (AMTA, 2010).
Definition. Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program (AMTA, 2005).
The American Music Therapy Association has established competency-based standards for ensuring the quality of education and clinical training in the field of music therapy.
A professional music therapist holds a bachelor's degree or higher in music therapy from one of over 80 AMTA-Approved college and university programs. The curriculum for the bachelor's degree is designed to impart entry level competencies in three main areas: musical foundations, clinical foundations, and music therapy foundations and ...
People also ask
What skills do you need to be a music therapist?
What is the professional level of practice of a music therapist?
How do I become a music therapist?
What are the standards for music therapy education & clinical training?
- How to Implement Recorded Music from A Goal-Oriented Standpoint
- So Why Is The Ability to Use Recorded Music as Music Therapists Important?
- Tips For Using Recorded Music
Use as a reward for positive behaviors
In many settings where I work, specifically those where I serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, consumers frequently ask to sing along to a specific song. Replying with “If we do a great job for the first 45 minutes we can sing your music for the last five” naturally sets up a reward schedule that the client is motivated to stick to. If open to playing recorded music for this time (in the case you don’t know their preferred song), this reply is always available!
Reading lyrics as an academic skill
When working on reading skills, karaoke (reading lyrics to songs while singing over a recorded backing track) can be an effective and engaging tool. As a music therapist, we can use our training to select music: 1. that is just familiar enough that the consumer knows the melody but not all of the words, 2. that is at an appropriate tempo for their reading level, 3. where the lyrics fall at a natural spoken rhythm, and 4. with enough repetition that it provides an appropriate number of opportu...
Karaoke for social/leadership skills
In large groups motivated by Karaoke/singing along to familiar recorded music, I structure the activity to test social skills such as sharing, acting as a leader, and collaborating. To work on sharing, I will have a small group (2-4) individuals at the mic and ask them to switch or challenge them to switch at certain parts of the song. Making them listen for cues tests cognition, too! To work on leadership, I will give the singer another task such as directing, selecting the next singer/s, or...
People WILL request songs that we don’t know, and being able to provide preferred music is important!
Today, the internet allows an increased access to diverse music (the days of the radio and MTV are over), and as a music therapist expecting ourselves to be able to play every song requested by a client is unreasonable. In some situations, such as when a client is reminiscing at end of life, when providing autonomy is a major goal, or when preferred music is critical for engagement (and is not known by the therapist), recorded music can be an important tool! In these situations, technology al...
Leading groups all the time is hard on our bodies and voices- sometimes we need a break
When I was leading just one group a week during practicum, using recorded music for an energy break was never an excuse. Now, when I sometimes lead four or more large groups a day, my body and voice can easily become fatigued. Intentionally interspersing recorded music when appropriate can help alleviate the physical strain that occurs when repeatedly singing and playing guitar for large groups. Importantly, we should not consider recorded music as a “break” from being a music therapist, just...
When someone requests to hear a song you don’t know and you use a recording, write the song down and learn it!
I frequently have patients request songs that I don’t know, especially when working in hospitals where I see diverse populations of patients with little (or no) time to prep in between. As these sessions are of an impromptu nature, I have learned not to be discouraged when I don’t know someone’s request. Instead, I play a recording and then ask the clients why it means something to them, what it makes them remember, or why they asked to hear it this day. If appropriate, I encourage the patien...
Use it as a tool, not a crutch!
If you are planning to use recorded music, it should be intentional and not as a way to decrease planning time or repertoire acquisition. Learning to lead all styles of music is of utmost importance as music therapists(yes, this includes electronic music, metal, and rap!) even though using recorded music as a shortcut is sometimes tempting. As music therapists, we have the ability to weigh the benefits of using recorded music over live music. It is our responsibility to provide live music if...
If the original recording is necessary to capture engagement, use it and then transition into a live version.
On some occasions the preferred part of a song involves media (music video etc.) or sounds (electronic sounds, duets/choirs) that are not possible to recreate live. Starting with a familiar recorded version of the song can capture engagement before the therapist transitions into a live version that is modified to facilitate goals. For example, an individual might really like the music video to the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine”. We can first play the colorful music video to ”Yellow Submarine,” a...
In addition, academic programs in music therapy should refer to the NASM Handbook for general standards and competencies common to all professional baccalaureate and graduate degree programs in music, as well as specific baccalaureate and graduate degree programs in music therapy.
Earning the Music Therapy Board Certification (MT-BC) credential demonstrates advanced clinical competence. It also signifies that you are part of a community of music therapists working together to make meaningful contributions to the evolution of the practice. When you pass the MT-BC Examination, you receive a certificate from CBMT indicating ...
