Origins of the program
Malleably Musical is a professional development program for music therapists. It was initially designed to support music therapists with a background in recital-based classical music adapt their extensive musical skills from their primary instrument to the flexible and responsive guitar skills required to facilitate interactive music therapy.
Who is the program for?
The program builds musical autonomy through ensemble skills and is well suited to anyone who wants to step beyond the manuscript and connect with other musicians in the moment.
The four pillars of ‘Malleably Musical’
Malleably Musical is structured around four pillars: a conceptual framework, a listening framework, a modular guitar technical framework, and the One-Tune-Medley a mechanism that integrates the first three pillars.
The term malleable conjures the ancient process of hammering a piece of metal into a tool. The four pillars of the Malleably Musical program are used to shape our musicianship, empowering connection through musical flexibility and responsiveness.
Pillar 1 – Conceptual framework
The conceptual framework draws on music therapy, musicology, popular music studies and music philosophy to broaden perspective and facilitate access to diverse musical approaches.
Pillar 2 – Listening framework
A comparative listening framework illustrates the conceptual framework by demonstrating diverse musical interpretations of a single work.
Pillar 3 – Modular technical framework
Technical aspects of the guitar were analysed and chunked into component tasks. This approach has demonstrated accelerated gains in guitar proficiency as participants work at their own pace, combining modules of guitar technique. E.g. several participants leave their first workshop having played barre chords for the first time. modular technical frameworks for piano and percussion are currently under development.
Pillar 4 – Integration framework - The One-Tune-Medley
The One-Tune-Medley (1TM) integrates the first three pillars into music therapy practice by simulating the musical flexibility required in music therapy sessions in a controlled way that is easily adaptable to suit varying levels of proficiency.
