A multiple-perspective approach to graphic notation

Abstract

The need to describe and analyze the contents of music therapy sessions, together with the need to find methods of raising therapist awareness, are areas of great interest for the music therapist. In this study an expansion of Bergstrøm-Nielsen's (1993) method of graphic notation for representing music therapy improvisations is presented: multiple-perspective graphic notation (MGN). A description of the method is provided, followed by a demonstration using a clinical improvisation taken from an individual music therapy session. The use of the MGN as a tool for raising therapist awareness, uncovering previously undetected therapist countertransference, and providing validation of the therapist's understanding of the phenomena is discussed.