Flute, Accordion or Clarinet? ─ Using the Characteristics of Our Instruments in Music Therapy

Music therapists are trained to use their first study instrument in clinical practice, yet existing literature focuses almost exclusively on the use of piano, basic percussion and voice.This illuminating book brings together international music therapists who use a diverse range of musical instruments in their clinical work: the clarinet, the piano accordion, the flute, the cello, the trumpet and flugelhorn, the bassoon, the violin, the viola, the harp, the guitar, lower brass instruments (the trombone and the euphonium), the oboe, the saxophone and bass instruments (double bass and bass guitar). Each therapist reflects on their relationship with their instrument and the ways in which they use it in therapeutic settings, discussing its advantages and disadvantages in a variety of clinical populations: children and adolescents, adults with learning disabilities, adults with mental health problems and older people.This will be essential reading for any music therapist or student music therapist who uses or is interested in using a musical instrument in their work, and will be of interest to other caring and healthcare professionals, teachers, musicians and carers wanting to learn more about instrumental music therapy.

Amelia Oldfield has worked as a music therapist with children and families for over 34 years. She currently practices as a clinician in Child and Family Psychiatry in Cambridge and lectures as a music therapy professor at Anglia Ruskin University where she co-initiated the MA Music Therapy Training in 1994. She is an enthusiastic clarinettist who performs regularly in various chamber music ensembles around Cambridge. Jo Tomlinson has been working as a music therapist in schools in Cambridgeshire since 1995 and was Head Music Therapist for Cambridgeshire Music from 2002-2006. Jo is a performing musician on both flute and piano. She is currently writing up a PhD thesis at Anglia Ruskin University based on a research project in a special school. Dawn Loombe is a piano accordionist, accordion teacher and music therapist. She currently works as a music therapist at the Child Development Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital Cambridge and also in private practice with adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities. She has also worked in schools, children's centres and in residential care homes. Dawn performs as both a solo accordionist and with a variety of musicians and vocalists.