research is not intended here.^32 However, an inquiry into the music types studied in neuroscience
and music therapy research has been carried out. The aim was to illuminate to what exent the two
research fields share concepts of music and music practice.
Types of Music studied in neuroscience and music therapy research 2002-2008
As indicated in the present chapter, papers from NM I, NM II and NM III report a number of studies
that include real vocal music and instrumental music. In these studies, vocal music comprises sung
words, syllables and vocalises, TV theme songs, popular songs, and classical vocal compositions.
Instrumental music comprises excerpts of classical Western, Chinese, and Indian music, and ex-
cerpts from various genres of Western popular music.
In order to permit a comparison, a survey of music types reported in Aalborg University (AAU)
doctoral dissertations 2002-2008 has been compiled in appendix 3.08.
The chosen period coincides with the period of the conferences NM I, NM II, and NM III. Even if the
AAU dissertations represent only a fraction of music therapy research, this compilation is suggested
to subserve an indicative comparison of the two fields of research. The survey comprises 14 disser-
tations, numbered MT 1-14. These studies present and discuss three main types of music; pre-com-
posed and newly created songs, selections of recorded music, and improvisations.
3.6.1. Songs
Elefant (MT 1) has performed 18 pre-composed songs in her study of song preference in girls with
Rett syndrome.^33 In the therapy sessions, the investigator sings and plays the guitar. The live perfor-
mance permits extensive variation of musical expression by means of tempo, accelerando, ritardan-
do, fermata, pauses, upbeat introductions and syncopation, rhythmic grouping, dynamic variability,
and vocal play with sounds.
Aasgaard (MT 3) has investigated the creation, development and use of pre-composed songs and
newly created songs in music therapy with children suffering from cancer. Some new songs adopt a
specific popular style; heavy rock, blues, rock, reggae, swing, cha-cha, disco.
Gold (MT 4) reports the use of well-known songs to establish secure frameworks in therapy.
Ridder (MT 5) has used a large repertory of familiar Danish songs in musical dialogue with clients
suffering from dementia. The songs focus attention and regulate the arousal of the participants.
Baker (MT 6) has applied client-preferred popular songs in voice rehabilitation for people with trau-
matic brain injury. Her study includes songs by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Pink Floyd, Eric Clap-
ton, U2, Simon and Garfunkel.
Garred (MT 7) reports a spontaneous song which induces joy and laughter in a girl with Rett syn-
drome.
Rolvsjord (MT 13) has sung a number of pre-composed songs with clients, and created a large num-
ber of songs on the basis of a client’s lyrics.
Comparisons
In music therapy, songs and vocalizations are widely used as important means of communication
32 A comprehensive documentation of research methods is presented in Barbara Wheeler (Ed. 2005) Music Therapy
Research, 2nd Edition. For a concise introduction, see Wheeler (2009:515-525).
33 The Rett syndrome is a severe impairment of neural development and communication, which mainly affects females.
It is caused by a genetic mutation. Young girls with Rett syndrome are very responsive to music.