Proceedings, Oxford, UK (2002) - World Federation of Music Therapy

Clients may have conscious and unconscious associations with music
that vary according to their specific culture. Any supposition that these
culturally dependent associations will not impact on music therapy
should be abandoned. I would suggest that use of a wide variety of
ethnic instruments, by way of example, is necessary in order to
encompass divergent cultures in a group. Interaction and understanding
will be increased if it is made clear they are for everyone. The therapist
should be sympathetic to the anxiety a client may feel if his culture is not
represented by the choice of instruments on offer.
Age
Richard firmly believes that age is an important factor to consider when
dealing with clients in music therapy. He feels that age determines what
music they feel comfortable with in the sessions. Musical reminiscence
is an important factor in peoples lives and will be different for everyone.
He points out that ‘music scores our lives’. He reminds us that it is
important for the therapist to look at the whole person when assessing a
client:
“A younger person will be immersed in the record shop, they’d go to
the concerts, they’d go to the gigs and plus, then, they would be armed
with so much information that it is almost a culture in itself…”
Pop Culture
• Another prominent theme is the influence of pop culture.
Sam feels that music therapy cannot embrace pop culture. It is too
specialised and complex to be incorporated into music therapy’s
philosophy, but he feels that music therapy would benefit from an
awareness of modern musical culture. A lot of my clients are influenced
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