This book examines in detail the use of the "authentic voice," highlighting its virtuosity, healing potency, and importance to well-being. It demonstrates the powerful impact of the voice, using clinical examples from mental health, medical, and special education settings. In the book, the undiscovered potential of the voice in the music therapy field is emphasized. This potential is not limited to singing songs but also includes sighing, crying, screaming, groaning, humming, laughing, and lamenting as effective forms of vocalizations. The book also focuses on natural forms of singing as human expressions in different cultural traditions. The vocal examples given are used to portray how human beings around the world help and heal each other through "authentic singing." The commonalities of contemporary and traditional uses of the voice reinforce its power and effectiveness as a therapeutic tool. The book integrates emotional, relational, cognitive, physical, aesthetic, spiritual and technical aspects of voice and singing into a multicultural clinical method. This is a "how to" book for the music therapist, creative art therapist, psychotherapist, teacher, singer or actor who is using his/her voice in therapy, education, or performance. --- from the publisher |
