The Music of Being

Introduction. 1. Object Relations. 2. The Language of Music and the Music of Winnicott. 3. The Music of Beginning. 4. Holding and the Early Environment. 5. The Observation of Infants in a Set Situation. 6. Transitional Objects and the Transitional Phenomena. 7. The Use of an Object and Relating through Identifications. 7.1. Aggression. 7.2. Hate. 8. Playing. 8.1. Theory of Play. 8.2. Musical Play. 9. A Sense of Self and Music Therapy. 10. Transference and Countertransference. 11. Therapeutic Practice. References.

This is a welcome addition to the music therapy literature in which Alison Levinge explores the relevance of Winnicott's theories and approach to music therapy, and in particular to her own practice. This is not scientific research or an academic tome, rather a book by a practising clinician, drawing heavily on personal experience. There are no references to the clinical work of other music therapists or indeed to music therapy theory in general. Instead her approach is to relate her own practice to the ideas of Winnicott with reference to other important figures in psychoanalysis, in particular the object relations school. Levinge writes with great feeling and insight, bringing in numerous clinical examples from diverse settings. It is in her discussion of these clinical vignettes that the book really comes to live... Levinge has an intimate, conversational style, which makes for an enjoyable read...