Well this takes everything to a whole new level! I have always loved music, but just as entertainment.
Bill Protzmann is a world famous thought leader in using music as therapy. His ideas are simple, powerful, easy to understand, and quick to implement. I interviewed Bill and came away with MANY great ideas to use music more purposefully as both enjoyments and as a means of self-care.
Bill Protzmann’s mission is to raise awareness of the power of music as self-care.
He is the world’s leading expert on the power of music for physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, holds magna cum laude degrees in piano performance and creative writing, and has led a successful IT consulting practice for over 30 years. Dave had an amazing interview with Bill. To hear the whole story, click below. Otherwise, keep on reading for a great summary!
Why Music as Self Therapy?
My mission is helping people learn how to engage with music more mindfully and more purposefully. We all know music is out there, but the fact that it can actually be a tool for our health is something we haven’t given much thought to until recently. We’ve started seeing that teaching children how to make music gives them invaluable skills that they can’t learn anywhere else. The full, holistic experience of learning how to create music is incredible- there’s nothing like it.
The music we love is very powerful and personal to us. The fact that you like the music that you like is almost like a fingerprint, it’s part of your signature and who you are. When you discover what you love and you have that connection to it it’s like unlocking your superpower. Music as self-therapy helps people feel happier, lighter, more energetic, and less stressed. Just like meditating, the benefits of music are countless. The bottom line is you need that music – it does something for you and it can tell you so much about who you are to know that.
What are practical heart skills and what does music have to do with them?
Unpacking all of this is necessary because each one of these components is an emotion that can be supported by music.
Next, you can find a song that makes you feel that compassion or the feeling of your choice, and move on to create a full emotional experience. Just as movies and books often have four acts, it takes about four songs to give us a solid emotional arc on anything. After choosing four or more songs that embody the arc that you’re searching for, you can combine them to create a solid emotional trigger that, after practice, can help you embody that trait whenever you need it.
You have a workout playlist, and you can also have a playlist for anti-stress, respect, one for discernment, gratitude, etc. Music and music therapy can support all of these things. Once you have learned how to use music to promote those feelings in yourself you are subconsciously empowered to make better choices.
How do we proactively use music therapy to improve our health?
- If this song was a flavor, what might this song taste like?
- Imagine the song as a texture, what might this song feel like?
- What do you see in your mind’s eye while listening? Do you have nostalgic memories? Color swirls, perhaps? Goals or fantasies?
What do you say about discovering new music? Is it important?
Music therapy is unique in that it gives you the opportunity to explore new feelings and ideas in a way that’s non-threatening. If you’re really curious about music, try to notice more. Pay more attention to what you like and what you don’t. Ask your kids, neighbors, and coworkers what they’re listening to right now. While listening, give yourself a moment to see how you work in these different situations and how the new music makes you feel. If you feel resistance, pay attention to it! Often there is a message that you might
Amazon link to Bill’s book (not an affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/Human-Value-Cultivating-Spirit-Organization-ebook/dp/B073639T1L
