Aesthetic experience in music therapy

Journal/Book: Music Therapy. 1990; 9: 1-15.

Abstract: Explores the nature of aesthetic experience and its role in music therapy. With reference to the music therapy literature, the western philosophical tradition, and the work of G. Bateson (1972), the author proposes a concept of the meaning of beauty in which aesthetic experience is an affirmation of ontological meaning. The importance of such experience to clients who may perceive their lives as lacking in meaning is discussed. Illustrative clinical material is drawn from the author's work with emotionally disturbed children under 14 yrs of age. ABSTRACT 2: This article explores the nature of aesthetic experience and its role in music therapy. With reference to the music therapy literature, the western philosophical tradition, and the work of Gregory Bateson, the author proposes a concept of the meaning of beauty in which aesthetic experience is an affirmation of ontological meaning. The importance of such experience to clients who perceive their lives as lacking in meaning is discussed, Illustrative clinical material is drawn from the author's work with emotionally disturbed children.

Note: aesthetic experience & music therapy; emotionally disturbed children

Keyword(s): Aesthetic preferences; music therapy; emotionally disturbed; childhood ; adolescence

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