Music can be very therapeutic. Music therapy is an interpersonal process in which the therapist uses music and all of its facets-physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual-to help clients to improve or maintain their health. Music has been used as a healing force for centuries. Music therapy goes back to biblical times, when David played the harp to rid King Saul of a bad spirit. As early as 400 B.C., Hippocrates, Greek father of medicine, played music for his mental patients. Aristotle described music as a force that purified the emotions. In the thirteenth century, Arab hospitals contained music-rooms for the benefit of the patients. In the United States, Native American medicine men often employed chants and dances as a method of healing patients. Music therapy as we know it began in the aftermath of World Wars I and II. Musicians would travel to hospitals, particularly in the United Kingdom, and play music for soldiers suffering from war-related emotional and physical trauma.
I look forward on Saturday mornings to your Moments of Zen...and this is no exception. Thanks Joe Blow!!
ReplyDeletegreat way to start the day!
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Peace <3
Jay
You write of the joy and ministry of music -- even citing David playing the harp for Saul -- yet you are a member of a church that does not allow instrumental music in services. I recently played the Brahms Requiem at David Lipscomb, in Nashville, which I considered highly incongruous. It may not have been for a service, but there is no denying that the piece is sacred music, and it's usually accompanied by a big-ass orchestra. I have also played in string quartets for weddings in the C of C; also highly odd, to me, an Episcopalian.
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