23.7. 1993 Vitoria-Gasteiz / Spain - World Federation of Music Therapy

Colwyn Trevarthen, states that the origins of these
dynamic patterns of communication are found in the
'patterns and controls of spontaneous mother-infant
intersubjectivity in the 3 months preceding and following
normal full-term birth (De Casper and Carstens, 1981;
Trevarthen, 1992a; 1992b). These patterns have been
shown to be universals of behaviour and
communication (Darwin, 1872; Trevarthen, 1993b)
which manifest cross-culturally. Micro-analytic studies
of mother-infant interaction have shown in detail the
features and infra-structures of basic emotional
communication, mother and infant both adjusting 'the
timing, form and energy of their expression to obtain
inter-synchrony, harmonious transitions and
complementarity of feelings between them in an
emotional partnership of 'confluence'. (Trevarthen,
1992a). Daniel Stern's descriptions of 'vitality affects'
and affect attunement' illustrate clearly the direct
connection between musical and emotional expression,
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and the musical improvisational nature of motherinfant
interaction. In the psychological field of infancy
research there is rich material scientifically
documenting the musical forms of interpersonal
communication (Papousek & Papousek, Fernald,
Fridman, and so on). Musical dynamic form is thus
presented in the objective 'data' of early human
relationship and 'intersubjectivity' (Trevarthen, 1974).
Musical-emotional processes are now widely regarded
as fundamental to psychic processes basic to
psychological growth (Brazelton, Trevarthen, Stern,
Murray).
The dynamic and organisational field of mother-infant
relationship has many correlations with that of music
therapy process.
The 'innateness' of musical responsiveness has been
given a further new perspective with significance for