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

When I asked C. if this disturbed him in any way, C.
replied, to my satisfaction, that this person only disliked
that performance because he did not appreciate hardrock,
but that he himself felt his singing had been good.
When he heard criticism of our My Way interpreter he
took his side and quoted:" Why don't you try to do better
yourself".
I inquiered if he could possibly have given such an
answer three years before.
He smilingly shook his head.
In my preparation I requiered of one of the patients to
prepare a written report on what music lessons means
for him in relation to his treatment.
Please allow me to quote a few sentences from this
letter:
"The music lessons in the clinic form a welcome activity
in the treatment, because it enables me to ventilate my
559
feelings, and it gives me an opportunity to create a
hobby.
It is important for me to be able to do something useful
in my spare time and I enjoy making music.
During music lessons you simply talk with your teacher
about music, and therapeutic language is not used at
all.
Of course I have to work on my indication, but that takes
place in a recreative form." The way he subscribes his
letter is even more typical for what it means to him: his
name is followed by the supplement "guitar player".
Ladies and gentlemen, I am a lucky man to be able to
say that for me work is play.
For our patients I enjoy reversing this: to play music is
also to work..
Working on an important part of their treatment.
And about my professional identity: There are many