Perspectives on Meaning in Music Therapy

Journal/Book: British Journal of Music Therapy. 1998; 12: 20-28.

Abstract: In this article I discuss some questions on meaning meaning in music therapy by taking as my point of departure the different perspectives of two British music therapists, Mary Priestley and Gary Ansdell. Since all discussions of meaning - even when considering 'non-verbal phenomena' - are based on an understanding of language I have found the philosophy of Ludwig Wiggenstein an interesting port of entry to this topic. Following an introduction to Wiggenstein's concept on 'language game' and 'family resemblances', I give a brief discussion of Wittgenstein's relevance for aesthetic understanding, highlighting the concept of 'intransitive understanding'. These three concepts will then be used as a basis for examining the differences between Priestley's and Ansdell's perspectives which may serve to expand our thinking about meaning in music therapy.

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