- amazon: 4.4 stars – 666 reviews
- goodreads: 3.8 stars – 50,533 reviews
summary
daniel j. Levitin is a neuroscientist, musician, and author.
his best-selling book, this is your brain on music, addresses questions such as:
You are reading: Books on music therapy
- Are our musical preferences formed in the womb?
- Is there a cut-off point for acquiring new musical tastes?
- What do pet scans and brain MRI? response to music?
- is musical pleasure different from other types of pleasure?
Ultimately, Levitin looks at how nature and nurture affect the human obsession that is music.
reviews
- “every musician, whatever their skill level, should read this book.”—howie klein, past president, parent and reprise/warner brothers records
- “can’t put this down . answering so many questions I had. very easy to read, not intellectual but well researched. A must have for any music lover. no, I’ll rephrase it because we’re all music lovers. essential if you want to understand how everything works” (ishora, amazon customer).
- amazon: 4.6 stars – 617 reviews
- goodreads: 3.9 stars – 54,244 reviews
summary
oliver sacks was a physician, best-selling author, and professor of neurology at nyu medical school. He is known as the “Poet Laureate of Medicine” according to the New York Times.
In Musicophilia, Sacks looks at where music collides with the brain and how it affects the human condition. he does this by showing fascinating case studies, or what he calls “musical mismatches.” These include stories of musically talented people and people who lack the ability to fully appreciate music.
reviews
- “powerful and compassionate. . . . a book that not only contributes to our understanding of the elusive magic of music, but also illuminates the strange workings and malfunctions of the human mind” (the new york times).
- “oliver sacks is really one of the greats this book may interest psychologists (me) and music enthusiasts (me too, but it’s not) and just regular people who are interested in learning about some of the fascinating parts of human mind and experience” (grace crowell, amazon customer) .
- amazon: 4.2 stars – 236 reviews
- goodreads: 4 stars – 4474 reviews
summary
dr. Kay Redfield Jamison is Co-Director of the Center for Mood Disorders and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at John Hopkins Medicine.
In Touched with Fire, Jamison turns speculation into reality by exposing the links between manic-depression and creativity. Manic and depressive states were once thought to accompany temper, but we now know that these are signs of manic-depressive illnesses. Jamison looks at artists like Lord Byron, Vincent Van Gogh, and Virginia Woolf to better understand the underlying illnesses they may have harbored.
reviews
- “for anyone struggling with bipolar illness or mood disorders, this is a wonderful resource sharing research on some of our most creative writers, songwriters, creative geniuses, and the ‘downsides’ of those geniuses. they struggled with deep depression and mania that landed many in nursing homes during and at the end of life. confirms the struggles of mood instabilities. the gifts that are born in a space where most people don’t go and the deep cavernous black holes where nobody wants to go” (true amazon, amazon customer).
- amazon: 4.6 stars – 183 reviews
- goodreads: 4 stars – 4737 reviews summary
john powell is best known as a composer of film soundtracks. He has worked on several popular solo movies: A Star Wars Story (2018), How to Train Your Dragon (2010), and Rio (2011).
powell engages the reader with his entertaining descriptions of the scientific and psychological aspects of music. includes lively discussions of timbre, harmony, keys, chords, composition, and anything else a musician wonders about, well, almost.
reviews
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- “an excellent explanation of, as the title says, how music works. practical, easy to follow and understand, with lots of smiles and laughter as a bonus. I use it as a reference and have read it more than once, that’s how good I think it is” (cleach, amazon customer).
- amazon: 4.5 stars – 104 reviews
- goodreads: 4 stars – 1956 reviews
summary
author robert jourdain touches on various topics between science and technology while integrating his joy of playing the piano and composing.
for those who value entertainment while learning, jourdain music, brain and ecstasy will not disappoint. explore how music speaks when words fail and why it’s so powerful as it fascinates its audience with exotic characters.
reviews
- “jourdain’s deep love of serious music…gives his book a moral force and passion rare in scientific writing” (boston phoenix).
- “this This book explores in depth how the brain processes musical information, from composition to consumption. It is the best book on the subject that I have come across” (G. Sollner, Amazon customer).
- amazon: 4.1 stars – 41 reviews
- goodreads: 3.9 stars – 760 reviews
summary
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philip ball is a british science writer. Before becoming self-employed, he worked in the wild for 20 years.
ball dives into questions like:
- Why can music awaken deep passions?
- How do we make sense of musical sound?
- Why do all cultures seem to make music?
Using the latest research in music psychology and neuroscience, Ball explains how music seems to find its way into every aspect of life.
reviews
- “ball is to be applauded for the variety and appropriateness of the musical examples he chooses, from albinoni to led zeppelin, bach to the sound of music, as well as his attention to music outside of traditions …the book is impressively engaging for someone so dense with details and arguments…fascinating” (The Guardian).
- “This book was fascinating, thought provoking and well written. I bought it after checking it out of my wonderful public library because it’s worth rereading” (miriam steinbock, amazon customer).
- amazon: 4 stars – 36 reviews
- goodreads: 3.9 stars – 529 ratings
summary
steven mithen is professor of archeology at the university of reading in the uk. writing the singing Neanderthals, he combines the knowledge of him with the properties of music.
mithen presents his own theories and scientific data to support the notion that all humans share a musical and linguistic heritage. focuses on Neanderthals, their habits, and the mark they left on the world.
reviews
- “OK, this is a pretty biased and opinionated book, so it may not always be absolutely factual, but it’s still a fascinating dive into the prehistoric mind and the arguments are strong. great read” (valentin angrand, amazon customer).
- amazon: 4.7 stars – 21 reviews
- goodreads: 4.4 stars – 20 reviews
summary
Jennifer Buchanan is a music therapist, author, health entrepreneur, and speaker.
the buchanan tune combines personal stories, case studies, exercises, and advice for those who want to improve their mood through music therapy.
reviews
- “Fantastic information on music therapy and also on intentional listening to music. Jennifer Buchanan’s Book Tune in was informative and I enjoyed reading about the inspiring experiences music has had on others, including Jennifer’s own life. now I also find myself more in tune with the music I listen to and how it affects me. a book worth reading” (becky zales, amazon customer).
- “jennifer is a great storyteller who captures moments effectively, making them fresh to the imagination.” – Rebecca’s review
- amazon: 3.7 stars – 14 reviews
- goodreads: 3.5 stars – 4 reviews
summary
maria ramey is a flutist and music therapist who provides individual and group therapy for both children and adults.
His 2011 book, Group Music Activities for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, was written with adult therapy in mind; Group music activities are usually written for children. includes 100 group music activities, each with clear instructions and a therapeutic goal behind it. Whether you’re a music therapist, caregiver, or other professional who works with adults, this book will inspire you to try new musical activities.
reviews
- “wonderful!! well written and easy to follow!! the format is perfect for a lesson plan, and the ideas can also be used with people without disabilities (ages 4-104)” (maritza sadowsky, amazon customer).
- amazon: 4.2 stars – 13 ratings
- goodreads: 4.3 stars – 18 ratings
summary
dr. barbara l. Wheeler served as past president of the American Association for Music Therapy, and since then she has achieved great clinical and academic feats.
A more recent publication, 2015, The Music Therapy Handbook provides its readers with a comprehensive overview of music therapy, from basic concepts to clinical approaches. The book includes expert opinions and research on psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and developmental psychology as it relates to music. Other topics include the role of music therapy in child development, autism spectrum disorder, brain injury, school interventions, and trauma.
reviews
- “this welcome volume stands out for its breadth of coverage and applicability. the choice of topics and their academic treatment will appeal to readers, whether they are new to music therapy or very experienced. It will also be useful for both graduate and undergraduate faculty and students” (Robyn Flaum Cruz, Ph.D., BC-DMT, Division of Expressive Therapies, Lesley University).
- amazon: 4.1 stars – 12 ratings
- goodreads: 3.8 stars – 10 ratings
summary
christine korb is director of the music therapy program at pacific university, oregon, and a published author and composer.
See Also: The Ultimate AP® English Literature Reading List
In his book, The Music Therapy Profession: Inspiring Health, Wellness, and Joy, Korb provides an overview of the music therapy profession through 26 of his former students’ listening essays. each essay shares a student’s motivation to “do good in the world through music”. Korb has inspired many to serve as music therapists through this book.
reviews
- “christine korb is a brilliant teacher, her love for this therapeutic process shines through in her writing and her clarity makes for a fascinating read, whether you are interested in becoming a therapist or just interested in what music therapy is” (ymzadi, amazon customer).
- amazon: 4.7 stars – 10 ratings
- goodreads: 3.5 stars – 2 ratings
summary
dr. Michael H. Thaut is a former professional violinist and an international leader in neurological music therapy: the therapeutic use of music applied to sensory, speech, cognitive, and motor functions.
Rhythm, Music, and the Brain: Scientific Foundations and Clinical Applications expands on modern cognitive neuroscience and its relationship to music. thaut shares important facts about brain function during music-related activities to bridge science and art.
reviews
- “this book was an exciting resource for me. answered my questions about recent experiences of flashbacks of dreams after intensely practicing baroque music singing. when we get older, we begin to notice this and that, diminishing or being lost. so the good side of this state is that when it changes, there is a possibility of awakening! great new find! very happy to find this book. thank you” (sachiko taki reece, amazon customer).
- amazon: 4.6 stars – 9 reviews
- goodreads: 4.4 stars – 64 reviews
summary
kenneth e. Bruscia is Professor Emeritus of Music Therapy at Temple University and the accomplished author of 61 publications.
His work, Case Studies in Music Therapy, contains 42 case histories showing the process of music therapy from start to finish. bruscia edits the work of nine authors from around the world, showcasing their techniques and helping to share their unique views of music therapy with other cultures. cases range from children to adults, individual to group therapy, and medical to educational practices.
reviews
- “I bought this book because I was interested in the field of music therapy. I was also doing a project on the subject and this book says it all. introduces the reader to the field of music therapy in a very understandable way. case studies are also great learning tools. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about music therapy” (sara garrett, amazon customer).
- amazon: 4.9 stars – 6 reviews
- goodreads: 4.07 stars – 29 reviews
summary
Published in 1995, Music Therapy Research is considered the first and most comprehensive textbook on music therapy research. The book includes 24 chapters, written and edited by scholars, of qualitative and quantitative research on music therapy. Serving as a standard reference book for music therapists, Music Therapy Research includes music therapy research flaws, research designs, process, and philosophical and historical modes of research.
reviews
- “this is a magnificent volume. you couldn’t ask for more when researching music therapy” (angela fenwick, amazon customer).
- amazon: 4.7 stars – 3 ratings
- goodreads: 4.2 – 10 ratings
summary
since 1981, barbara j. Crowe has been Director of the Bachelor of Music Therapy Program at Arizona State University. In his book, Music and Soulmaking: Toward a New Theory of Music Therapy, he connects music therapy and nature.
crowe theorizes that nature is part of a dynamic system in motion that is intertwined with the healing abilities of music. this relationship is what she coins as “soul creation”, or the power of music to heal what makes us vital, complete, alive and balanced. Crowe offers music therapy case studies featuring patients diagnosed with illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and Down syndrome. Along with tangible evidence of healing, Crowe addresses the effects of music on the mind, body, emotions, and spirit.
reviews
- “this is a wonderful book and congratulations to barbara… for finishing it. it is an important contribution to the field of music therapy, but also to all those who are interested in the healing nature of music” (carol hegedus, senior advisor, fetzer institute).
- “this is not It’s a light read, but worth every minute. wonderful innovative ideas!” (jodi slim, amazon customer)
I hope this post has helped you in your quest to learn more about music therapy. books are a great way to visualize what is normally heard through our headphones, instruments or voices. go ahead and take some time to read and decide on your own reviews.
***Please note that books 1-7 on the list are not written by a music therapist and are not specifically about music therapy. the books have been included in this list because they describe important aspects of music and contribute not only to the understanding of how music can impact us, but also to the fundamental arguments for why music therapy is effective. ***
edited by cara jernigan on Jan 17, 2021
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