History is needed to understand the field of MUSIC THERAPY. Just like every other thing in life did not just happen but was instigated by some persons, events, situations and so on so also is MUSIC THERAPY.
The History of Music and its affiliation to humanity goes way back to the beginning of time; the more the world becomes civilized, the more it affects people and their use of Music.
The early Native Americans, this was Ancient Civilization, they used music in communicating with their gods and nature, they also used this as a healing tool and a way to have camaraderie within their communities.
They were in the habit of coming together as a tribe to chant, dance and pray for their loved ones who were sick. How sweet you might say!
Still in Ancient civilization, there was Mania and Catharsis, they were popular terms in the ancient Greece. Mania had to do with mental illness while Catharsis had to do with the purging of soul through music.
Music in Ancient Greece was mainly used for purgative effect and to transit into the dreamland in such a way that they could or would return with pleasant dreams (I think this happens to me too). The flute was a major musical instrument used for this purpose.
The Pythagoreans employed a daily routine of music therapy. They enjoyed music before retiring to bed after a long day and it helped them to calm down, it also gave them a good night’s sleep with pleasant dreams. At the dawn of a new day, they performed special compositions on the lyre, which helped them to jiggle the daydreams from the night before and prepare for the intense rhythms of the day. The Pythagoreans probably had knowledge of the relationship between musical rhythm and temperament, and applied musical prescriptions based on their circumstance.
In addition to therapeutic songs from Ancient Greece were Curative songs called Epodes. This was more like a magical spells and it was said to have been instrumental in healing heartbreaks. So you know that songs for heartbreaks didn’t just start today.
At this point Music Therapy had not been defined yet as a professional practice until the end of World War 11.
This is why the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) gives credit to Ancient Civilization for the start of Music Therapy, in their words, “The idea of music as a healing influence which could affect health and behavior is as least as old as the writings of Aristotle and Plato”
At the end of World War 11, Music Therapy became a recognized treatment in the United States, between I read a very interesting story on this and I hope to share both the write up I have done on it and the video I was privileged to see.
Back to my story or history as the case may be, Nurses and Doctors recognized how music helped patients who had severe physical and emotional trauma due to the war.
Because of this, they thought to consider the start of an Institute of Education where people who were passionate about the field of Music Therapy could professionally practice music in a medical society.
This became the official start of Music Therapy!
Okay! Let me know what you think about this post as I am looking forward to your questions, contributions and critique. I love reading from you.
Thank You!
SOURCES: http://www.greece-is.com/music-therapy-in-ancient-greece/
https://petersonfamilyfoundation.org/music-therapy/science-music-therapy/
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