Understanding music as a temporal-aesthetic way of being: Implications for a general theory of music therapy

Music therapy is generally considered a discipline that utilizes music for promoting health, in which music is understood as a phenomenon inextricably tied to the medium of sound. Yet, alternatively, music therapy may also be considered a discipline that promotes human health both as and through music, in which music is understood as a temporal-aesthetic way of being transcending the concrete medium of sound, that manifests across all of the domains targeted in clinical music therapy goals. This explorative perspective potentially resolves certain critical dichotomies and dilemmas with which the music therapy field has had to contend, while meaningfully distinguishing music therapy's indigenous expertise and unique value from those of related health disciplines. Moreover, it carries implications for the formulation of a general theory of music therapy, applicable across a plurality of specific music therapy models, methods, and practices. Likewise, it carries implications for general theories of other expressive arts therapies, based upon understanding their respective modalities as particular ways of being, transcending concrete media.

Research highlights► An argument for an understanding of music as an aesthetic-temporal way of being. ► An argument for this understanding as a dimension of human health. ► An argument for this understanding as a way of working in music therapy. ► A consideration of the impact of this understanding on the music therapy field. ► A consideration of the impact of this understanding on other expressive arts therapy modalities.