The use of group vocal improvisation as a music therapy technique in a mental health setting

Abstract

Although group work and the use of voice and of improvisation techniques are three common features in music therapy practices, a systematic review of the literature has shown that the combination of these elements has been overlooked in the research. This review also showed an association between using pre-composed material when working with the voice and, on the other hand, using instruments when improvising. This polarisation of instruments versus voice when addressing production and reproduction techniques in music therapy is not made explicit in the literature and therefore the clinical reasoning behind it might respond to decisions other than clinically orientated. Instead, these implicit assumptions appear to have become established practices in the music therapy discipline. The present research project addresses the use of group vocal improvisation as a specific music therapy technique and attempts to look at the differences in therapeutic processes between this specific technique and a standard use of group music therapy, mainly making use of instruments. The workshop will demonstrate some of the techniques and will attempt to demonstrate their accessibility whilst uncovering the clinical reasoning behind the use of group vocal improvisation.