Sounds in the World: Multicultural Influences in Music Therapy in Clinical Practice and Training

Familiarity with and sensitivity to multicultural issues are important for the music therapist who is in clinical practice or in training. The author's experience while developing as a music therapist, working in a nursing home, a city shelter with emotionally disturbed men, in a rehabilitation center, and as a teacher and supervisor has been that multicultural aspects of treatment are critical to effective therapy. Appreciating, learning about, participating in another person's musical culture, and encouraging them to share it with others can be influential in forming therapeutic relationships, especially with people who can not speak the dominant language. In teaching at the university level, employing multicultural styles assists students in their ability to incorporate a greater variety of musical styles, practices, instruments, timbres, and sounds in their improvisations. Learning about the music of various cultures can expand listening and playing repertoires. This can help music therapists understand music in a broader context and assist in their acceptance of a greater variety of sounds and ways of playing music. Consequently, a music therapist can better relate to a wider range of clients in a therapeutically sensitive manner. Recorded musical examples will demonstrate clinical and teaching experiences.