According to playwright William Congreve, "music hath charms to soothe the savage breast." That seems to be the opinion of author, therapist and musician John Ortiz as well. In The Tao of Music he presents a guide to using any style of music, from rock to classical, country to jazz, as a means of self-help for emotional issues. His methods can be adapted for virtually anyone who has any type of mental obstacle.
Music can be especially effective for mood disorders since moods are more easily accessed with the addition of music rather than simply words. Many psychiatric hospitals offer music therapy, but their programs are not usually individualized in the same way as the methods Ortiz describes in this book.
Using Music as a Coping Strategy
This self-help book discusses how to use music to cope with emotional issues such as the following:
- depression
- anger
- stress
- insomnia
- self-esteem
- procrastination
- communication
For some of these, music forms the primary method of recovery, by allowing the individual to fully experience an emotion, express it, and move on (examples: depression, anger). The author gives examples of individuals he has counseled who successfully utilized music in this way. In other cases, music provides a backdrop for the use of cognitive-behavioral techniques such as affirmations and thought-stopping. This is true, for example, to cope with stress and build self-esteem.
Understanding Emotions and Music
The Tao of Music, in its explanation of the entrainment list technique of self-help, presents an easy-to-understand method which most people can use to influence their own emotions and habits. Ortiz's descriptions of the using this technique in the depression and anger chapters are particularly thorough.
To create an entrainment list, the individual begins by identifying the emotion being experienced and the target emotion. For example, a person experiencing depression can work towards happiness or contentment as the target. Next, the person selects music which represents a continuum of emotion from depression to happiness. The first four songs should match the current feeling, often reaching a peak in the fourth song. Beginning with the fifth song, the mood portrayed should gradually change in the direction of the target. The total length of an entrainment list is often 9-12 songs.
He also covers the "Magic Nightclub," a multi-sensory ambiance to promote enjoyment of physical love, in the chapter "Romantic Intimacy." This chapter includes many practical suggestions for improving a couple's sex life -- not just through music, but through other senses as well. It even includes suggestions for preparing the mind (don't have expectations, practice living in the present).
Throughout the book, Ortiz often gives "Sound Ideas." These are generally philosophical statements with some relationship to music. For example, one "Sound Idea" is "Listen, and trust your ability to hear." Readers may find these pithy statements to resemble slogans that present much information in only a few words. These statements can be used as frequent reminders of Tao of Music principles.
Self-help through music
This self-help book by John Ortiz may be useful to anyone who wishes to change his or her life for the better. One does not need any prior knowledge of music or music therapy, just a curious ear and a willingness to learn.
Anita Simpson - I enjoy studying people and culture (and writing about them!). As a young child, I lived in a variety of locations in Texas and Louisiana. ...
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