Discovering the flute’s voice: on the relation of flutist music therapists to their primary instrument

ABSTRACT

The flute, as a primary instrument, carries a special meaning for music therapists who are flutists. In order to find out more about the meaning of flute playing and its manifestation in music therapy practice, three flutist music therapists were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed and analysed according to the interpretative phenomenological analysis method. The findings reveal the deep, multi-layered connection between flutist music therapists and their flutes throughout their lives and illuminate the active role participants had to take in turning their flute into a therapeutic instrument. Replacing the professional flute with a therapeutic one is a significant milestone in the course of becoming a flutist music therapist. Participants described flute playing in therapy as enhancing their playfulness and proficiency as well as expanding their musical freedom. The flute’s sound is portrayed as projecting love and tenderness, allowing special intimacy between client and therapist.

KEYWORDS:

• Flute
• primary instrument
• relationship
• chamber music
• professional musician

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ The first-person formation refers to the first writer of the article, Tamar Hadar.

² This article is based on a research study equivalent to an MA thesis, which was submitted as part of the requirements for a PhD student.

³ Music therapy is not yet a registered profession in Israel. However, all of the participants are certified as music therapists and music therapy supervisors by YAHAT, the Association for the expressive art therapies in Israel.

⁴ The research was guided by my supervisor, Prof. Dorit Amir, the second writer of this article, who has examined and reviewed the entire process.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tamar Hadar

Tamar Hadar is a music therapist working with children diagnosed with Autism and with infants of families at risk and their parents. Her doctoral research (Bar Ilan University) focuses on joint improvisation: between musicians and between client and therapist. Tamar is a professional flutist, currently playing jazz and contemporary music.

Dorit Amir

Dorit Amir, D.A., C.M.T, founded and headed the music therapy program at Bar Ilan University until 2016. She has worked with a rich variety of populations, published books and articles, taught and has given lectures and workshops in Israel, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. Her main interests are music therapy and post traumatic growth and music based supervision.