Derrington 2012 thesis.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

went on: “It’s like let the stress out. Not at her, just like let it out mentally. Just talk to
her about it and stuff. So it got that out the way basically” (appendix 7.1.28, p.420).
Several students referred to the importance of confidentiality offered in individual
sessions. David described it in detail and felt that having instruments also made a big
difference:
“Cos of like been to one or two lesson things where they try talk about your
problems, I can’t remember what it’s called, anger management or something,
and it was just literally sitting down talking about things and like not much to
do. So I tried that, didn’t really like it. Then music therapy was completely
different. You can do things you want to, like play drums and do whatever,
talk about things a lot simpler than in group. Like sometimes you just want to
keep things between two people don’t you so. It was just like that really”
(appendix 7.1.28, p.420)
He felt the combination of talking openly and playing shared rhythms had helped
him:
“Um it’s really good. You can just sit down and talk about things. Like where
I am to like basically worry about it. Cos she’s really nice to talk to. And you
can talk about anything really. And it’s like play on the drums and stuff and
find new beats and stuff like that basically” (appendix 7.1.28, p.418).
Harry also said that he enjoyed playing more when it involved conversation as well:
“I think talking with the drums has made it even better…It’s made me feel sort of like
the drums are there for me in a way” (appendix 7.1.12, p.285). He felt that it was the
combination that helped: “It’s completely free and that’s what I like about it…music
therapy has helped massively” (appendix 7.1.12, p.283).
It was interesting that, when two students compared music therapy to anger
management, they preferred the physical act of playing music and the fun element,
rather than just sitting and talking. The combination of having ordinary conversation,
freedom to choose, to think and discuss something in particular, and time to be
musically creative is the reason music therapy is so successful with this age group.
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