Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

Figure 8. 3 Heuristic Music Analysis: Four analytic perspectives
(Based on Bruscia (in press). [Methods in brackets] added by the researcher.
Normal State of Consciousness
Guide’s pespective Guide’s perspective
on music on image potentials
[SMMA, Mood, Intensity] [Image potential analysis]
Focus on
Focus on
Music Imagery
Traveler’s Experience Traveler’s experience
of music of imagery
[Music Phenomenology] [Image Phenomenology]
Altered state of Consciousness
Heuristic Music Analysis is (best) performed in dyads or in groups. Data from
sessions are included and compared and the results are brought together in a final
synthesis. An example of an analysis of a full program (Creativity 1) performed in a
dyad and inspired by an early version of the method, is Bonde and Pedersen
(1996/2000). Further details on these and other methods especially designed for the
analysis of music programs used in the Bonny Method is given by Abrams (2002).
8.2 Method
Introduction and selection criteria
A review of the music used in the 60 sessions reveals that complete programs were
only used now and then. Appendix 8.1 gives a total overview of music selections and
music programs used, listed by priority. Nine different programs were used (in 15
sessions), but only once or twice, all rather late in the process (from session #5
onwards, apart from Nurturing that was used in two sessions #2). Twelve programs
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