Music Therapy Skills 2

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Blended Learning Delivery - intensive teaching in 4 day blocks, the first approximately at or before the beginning of semester, and the second approximately mid semester. Dates to be advised.

A total of 120 hours (including non-contact time).

Available to MMusThrp students only

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will develop musical and therapeutic skills in the use of improvisation in music therapy. Classes will involve piano improvisation in dyads, for movement and sound-scapes. Teaching will focus on the development of piano (or other primary instrument) skills for working with clients in interactive improvisations. Song-writing skills will also be developed focussing on lyrics and original music compositions.

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Perform basic improvisation techniques using both piano and primary instrument;
• Compose original and adapted songs with therapeutic intent;
• Understand and implement improvisational methods for use in disability settings (Nordoff Robbins; Alvin; Wigram).

10 weekly online submissions (consisting of 5 x 90-second improvisations, 3 x analyses of client improvisations, and 2 x original song lyrics), worth 5% eac - Throughout semester (50%)

End-of-semester audio submission of an original song written for a music therapy context (50%); End-of-semester examination period (50%)

100% attendance is expected. Less than 80% attendance at classes will result in a fail; Throughout semester (hurdle)

Baker, F. A. (2015). Therapeutic Songwriting: Developments in Theory, Methods, and Practice. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students should have:

• Developed the ability to respond spontaneously to new situations;
• Developed the ability to respond authentically to others;
• Developed the ability to listen to others.