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Therapeutic Songwriting

Developments in Theory, Methods, and Practice

Palgrave Macmillan

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Table of contents (15 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xviii
  2. Introduction

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Introduction, Research Focus, and Approach

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 3-12
    3. Songwriting: A Coming of Age

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 13-26
  3. Factors Influencing the Songwriting Process

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 27-27
    2. Environmental Factors

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 29-39
    3. Sociocultural Factors

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 41-52
    4. Individual Factors

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 53-66
    5. Group Factors

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 67-73
    6. Role of Music in Songwriting

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 75-87
  4. Songwriting Methods

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 89-89
    2. Introducing Songwriting Methods

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 91-98
    3. Songwriting Methods that Emphasize Lyric Creation

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 99-122
    4. Songwriting Methods that Emphasize Music Creation

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 141-154
  5. Orientation

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 155-155
    2. Outcome-Oriented Models of Songwriting

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 157-178
    3. Experience-Oriented Models of Songwriting

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 179-232
    4. Context-Oriented Models of Songwriting

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 233-282
    5. Songwriting as an Integral Practice

      • Felicity A. Baker
      Pages 283-286

About this book

Therapeutic Songwriting provides a comprehensive examination of contemporary methods and models of songwriting as used for therapeutic purposes. It describes the environmental, sociocultural, individual, and group factors shaping practice, and how songwriting is understood and practiced within different psychological and wellbeing orientations.

Reviews

“The approach Baker has taken to song-writing showcases its great potential within therapeutic work and helps us see its applicability to a range of fields, whilst also moving music therapy towards a more professional, measured interventionist perspective. The text will certainly become a definitive guide to the topic, and I would recommend it as an accessible, appealing read to music therapists, students, and those engaged in arts and health research.” (Kate Gee, The Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, Vol. 18 (1), March, 2018)


“The inclusion of a range of easy-to-reference tables is also a very helpful addition, and it enables the reader to put some shape and meaning to various orientations of songwriting models. … the author has managed to draw together a huge amount of detail and thinking and to present the findings in a format that is both accessible and informative. A very welcome and important contribution to our developing understanding of song creation as a therapeutic intervention.” (Bob Heath, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 61 (18), May, 2016)


"Combining over 20 years experience as a clinician, researcher, and educator, Dr. Baker weaves together a wealth of information that encompasses a rich and remarkable breadth of approaches to, and information about, songwriting for and in music therapy. This multifaceted resource is a unique and exciting addition to the literature." - Robert E. Krout, Professor and Chair, Music Therapy Department, Southern Methodist University, USA

"This text outlines valuable information on methods and models of songwriting informed by the different orientations practiced by music therapists. Enlightened by the author's extensive experiences as a clinician it includes: identification of environmental and sociocultural factors, group factors shaping the songwriting process, and the role of music and technology." - Amy Clements-Cortes, Assistant Professor, MaHRC, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

"Felicity Baker is at the center of the development of songwriting as a music therapy intervention. She has interviewed music therapists from around the world to explore how they use song writing, examining what occurs in the process of songwriting, what makes it effective, and possibilities for its use. Professor Baker's passion for the subject, evident throughout the book, will inspire and inform readers." Barbara L. Wheeler, Visiting Professor of Music Therapy, Temple University, USA and Professor Emerita, Montclair State University, USA

"'Songs tell people's stories'. In this brilliant book you will learn how songs are created and how they may transform peoples' lives. The book is not only helpful in understanding therapeutic songwriting; it also is an excellent model for how to link practice methods with broader perspectives and meta-thinking." Hanne Mette Ochsner Ridder, Head of Doctoral Programme in Music Therapy, Aalborg University, Denmark

"Therapeutic Songwriting is a timely and important book inviting everybody to create subjective soundtracks of their life, individually or in a group. Songs are musical narratives of our human existence and songwriting is a creative health resource linked to the vital quality of hope. Therapeutic songwriting is about performing health." -Gro Trondalen, Professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music, Norway

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Melbourne, Australia

    Felicity A. Baker

About the author

Felicity Baker is Associate Professor and Australia Research Council Future Fellow based at The University of Melbourne. She has dedicated her career to the study of songwriting as a therapeutic practice. Felicity has achieved numerous awards including a Foundation Research Excellence Award, an Australian Leadership Award, and an Australian Teaching Award. She is currently Associate Editor of the Journal of Music Therapy.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Therapeutic Songwriting

  • Book Subtitle: Developments in Theory, Methods, and Practice

  • Authors: Felicity A. Baker

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137499233

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan London

  • eBook Packages: Palgrave Social Sciences Collection, Social Sciences (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2015

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-137-49921-9Published: 08 July 2015

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-1-137-49922-6Published: 08 July 2015

  • eBook ISBN: 978-1-137-49923-3Published: 30 April 2016

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XVIII, 322

  • Topics: Psychotherapy and Counseling, Music, Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 34.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access