| Summary |
The purpose of this study was to determine if music improvisation could be a positive method of anger release for adolescent males and females hospitalized for psychiatric treatment. Music improvisation sessions were provided for ten subjects in four individual sessions. An Anger Rating Scale was developed and utilized to record pre-test and post-test anger levels. Each session was conducted by a music therapist who served as observer and facilitator to maximize utilization of the music improvisation sessions. The experimenter recorded data on instrument choice, durations of playing, musical and physical tension observed and subject verbalizations. Self-reported tension decreased after participating in music improvisation, despite many subject's report of no tension at the beginning of the sessions. Adolescents viewed music improvisation as an effective and available means of positive anger management. Patterns of instrument choices and durations emerged for individual subjects. There was a difference of choices of instruments and duration spent according to age. The younger subjects, (thirteen to fourteen years old), demonstrated a possible greater benefit from music improvisation than older subjects (fifteen to seventeen years old) based on a greater decrease in self-ratings from pre-test to post-test. Patterns occurred for playing the piano, xylophone, cymbal, and snare drum. The four instruments (two tonal and two atonal) provided sufficient variety and familiarity. Physical indicators and musical characteristics indicative of tension occurred. Patterns of spontaneous and elicited verbalizations occurred in the areas of seeking clarification, increased relaxation or tension, pleasure or enjoyment, descriptive thoughts, and feedback on the method (music improvisation). Verbalizations regarding feedback on the method indicated that 90% of the subjects were in favor of the improvisation techniques, and the other 10% verbalized enjoyment and demonstrated a decrease in tension. |
