Id:	60
Author:	Mojca Furlan
Title:	Using the piano as a means of communication in Music Therapy
Award:	MA, specialization
Discipline:	Music Therapy
Keyword:	Music therapy, piano play, trisomy 21- Down Syndrome, sensory-motor integration
University_College:	University of LjubljanaFaculty of Education
Country:	Slovenia
Year:	2005
Language:	Slovenian
Abstract:	In my MA thesis I examine the possibilities of creative use of piano playing as a means of therapeutic expression. Learning to play the instrument can have therapeutic value as it contributes to fine motor skills development, intensifies concentration, develops the hand-eye coordination, encourages clear and articulate speech and indirectly helps to raise the child’s self-esteem. In this MA thesis I have examined the therapeutic possibilities of improvisation and learning to play the piano to meet the developmental needs of a preschool child with Down Syndrome.I present a case study using the action research model and qualitative analysis of the empirical material gathered during the research process. The findings of the research have shown that the child's gross and fine motor skills as well as his speech can be positively influenced by learning to play the piano, adjusted for therapeutic purposes. The MA thesis emphasises and evaluates the creative nature of the individual music therapy activities. The individual creative music therapy has proven to provide positive stimulation for the developmental needs of the child with Down Syndrome. Therefore I think that such activities should be continuously used also as a part of other therapeutic methods.
Email:	nymojca@siol.net
Date:	8/20/2007 11:24:26 AM

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