Product Review

The Way of Music opens new pathways into the world of improvisational music therapy. Kalani Das draws from within and outside of the profession to guide the reader through a progressive and holistic process of sound exploration, through myriad music-based clinical techniques that culminate in an expanded and dynamic view of how the music therapist shapes improvisational experiences to better serve his/her clients. The book includes the following: Forward, Introduction, Preparation, sound Beginnings, Musical Elements and Techniques, Intramusical Techniques, Intermusical Techniques, Improvisation in Practice, States of Play, and Resources. The book comes with an audio CD containing over 90 musical examples designed to facilitate learning. Designed with the music therapist in mind, this is an excellent resource for any musician, at any level, who wishes to improve his/her musical abilities and increase his/her capacity for listening, expressing and interacting with others through music. The Way of Music is an essential resource for anyone who facilitates partner or community music making, drawing from traditions such as Orff-schulwerk and improvisational models in music therapy. Note to Music Therapy Educators: The appendix includes 16 lesson assignments to guide students through self-study during a typical college semester. This book may be used as a curriculum for college-level music therapy courses.