Integral Music Education
Let your draw to music be a catalyst for self-development
Do you yearn to play an instrument or to get better at what you already do, but aren’t sure what to practice or focus on?
Are your dreams of progressing as a musician derailed by internal struggles?
Do you want to use your music practice as a way of actualizing yourself in other areas of your life?
Do you have the sense that music can be a transpersonal force that leads your evolutionary edge?
I imagine a practice map looking like a tree. On each branch is a traditional area of study and practice: technique, theory, learning other people's music, creating your own music, improvisation, ear training. Each of those branches contains many leaves; specific things to study and practice in each broader category.
Study and practice in any area brings you more into music and makes you a better musician.
The trunk and the roots relate to the internal aspects of music; expressing emotions, playing from your heart, playing freely, finding meaning and purpose, being played by a force bigger than yourself, playing in service of someone or something, healing, exploring your subconscious, and much more.
Again, each of these areas in the roots and trunk contain many practices, which bring you more into music and make you a better musician, and also bring you into yourself, life, healing, meaning, and relationship with others.
Traditionally music education focuses on the branches, and music therapy focuses on the roots and trunk. This model acknowledges the yearning for an integration of both.
How Sessions Look
As with everything at Adventures In Harmony, sessions look different depending on the needs and desires of the client. As an example, you may be drawn to learn how to improvise. So we start there. We zoom into that branch and look at the tools of improvisation. Is there something specific you are wanting to learn? What are the musical elements you need to learn to be able to improvise in that style? We might next zoom into theory (including culture and history), technique, or other people's music to learn more in those areas.
Or is it a feeling you are after? Do you want to feel free when you pick up an instrument? Do you want to love what you play regardless of the style or context you are playing in? Do you want to turn heads when you play? These questions take us to the inside. This is in the realm of taste, desire, and touch also on self-acceptance, and the ability to give, receive, and reveal yourself vulnerably. These are all areas you could practice, and also require a safe and supportive container to explore. Maybe you know the notes and can play great in your practice room, and fantasize about rippin’ it up in front of an audience, but when you play in front of people, you feel like you suck? Maybe what’s missing is a feeling of safety. So we zoom into the roots and use music to explore your feelings of safety.
Let’s Work Together
Reach out with any questions, or for a free consultation to see if Integral Music Education will be a good fit for you.