Analogy and metaphor in music therapy. Theory and practice

Abstract

Two theoretical models of music therapy have been developed and discussed in the past decade. The theory of metaphor as proposed by Aigen is based on the schema theory of Lakoff and Johnson. It explains the connection between musical experience and felt experience by means of its interconnection with metaphors that are based on movement experience in space. The theory of analogy as proposed by Smeijsters is based on Stern's theory of vitality forms and Damasio's theory of the core self. Analogy explains the musical experience by means of the isomorphism between the forms of vitality affects in the core self and the forms of musical phrases. This discussion is highly relevant for music therapists because it is important to explain why music therapy works. Theoretical explanation of music therapy is also important because it is basic to the development of therapy methods and techniques. This article discusses both theories on the basis of theoretical concepts and case studies, arguing that metaphor and analogy both are music-centered concepts. Metaphor is described as a space-oriented perspective, analogy is described as a time-oriented perspective. Both perspectives can explain different music therapy experiences or describe the same music therapy experiences from a different perspective.