Music Therapy Interventions Based on Sound Properties Enhancing Communication with Infants

Abstract

 Infants are curious about sounds and can perceive them as a means of communication with others. This article describes the ways sound properties were used in music therapy encounters to facilitate communication with a group of infants. The music therapy interactions were based on Brazilian traditional songs, music instruments and body movements. We explored loudness, timbre and pitch to enhance nonverbal communication. Participative performance and community music therapy principles were deemed appropriated to our interactions since we observed improvement in the quality of the infants’ social and affective expressions along the process.