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

Song Lyric Interpretation: Recovering a sense of identity through a
narrative.
Song lyric interpretation is one of the music activities offered in the
dementia unit. It supplements and enhances other activities such as Sing-
a-long, Name that tune, Music and poetry trivia, and Reminiscence
through music. Songs used for this activity are those that are already in
the musical landscape of a patient’s memory and which can stimulate
their responses. (A list of songs discussed in the group is appended.) As a
group activity it enables persons with dementia to express their feelings
in a non threatening way. It also promotes a sense of community within
the group and a sense of trust between group and therapist. Discussion of
song lyrics encourages creativity by clarifying what the song means for
everyone in the group. By focusing their thoughts on familiar song lyrics,
residents are provided with a meaningful structure for reminiscence.
Protocol for Song Lyric Interpretation
Purposes of the Activity 126
• To promote socialization via musical and verbal interaction
• To promote confidence to assert individual expression more freely
• To develop musical perception, recognition and memory
• To promote reading skills and concentration
• To promote listening and interpretive skills
• To discover the meaning of song lyrics
• To relate self to chosen song
• To recover a sense of personal history
126. Schulberg, C. (1986). The Music Therapy Sourcebook:A Collection of Activities Categorized and
Analyzed. Miami: Human Sciences Press.
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