Music Therapy
“Disease is a musical problem, a dissonance that must not be allowed to return to the harmony that existed before but must be resolved into the harmony that is to follow”
- Novalis
The capacity for music to bring healing was already recognized in ancient times. In the past century it has been increasingly utilized as a therapeutic means of restoring balance to body, soul and spirit.
The voice and simple instruments are the vehicles used to express “outer resonance”. Then the basic elements of music, tone, interval, harmony and rhythm, are employed to provide the “inner resonance”.
Instrumental music therapy is an active modality. Instruments which require minimum playing proficiency and yet still have optimal resonance and tone quality are the only ones suitable for this type of therapy. Lesser known musical instruments such as the chrotta, psaltry, gemshorn, glockenspiel and simple flutes are used. In addition there are new instruments such as lyres created especially for this modality from natural material such as wood, metal and stone. The diversity, resonance and entire range encompassed in these instruments provides a representation of the whole human being.
In vocal music therapy specific exercises and principles are employed which consciously direct and guide the sound resonance of tone through different consonant and vowel combinations as well as rhythmic and pitch variations. The human organization can find renewal and balance through this process.
The effect of tone therapy can be experienced directly in the regulation of breath and pulse. It works indirectly to rehabilitate the harmonization of the forces of life and bring renewal and stabilization to the physical, soul and spiritual domains.
Channa Andriesse Seidenberg has been active in music guided by anthroposophic principle for many years. She studied music at Hunter College in New York City and trained in Switzerland as a music therapist. For many years she has been a teacher of singing, lyre and related instruments. Channa is a composer, choir conductor and consultant for early childhood music. She has diplomas in Music Therapy from both the School for Uncovering the Voice and the Dorian School for Music Therapy.