Title : Improvising in the pentatonic scale with chinese instruments and its uses in alleviating the symptoms of young adults with traumatic experiences
Abstract:
Aim: The aim of this research is to explore how improvising in the pentatonic scale with Chinese instruments influences the emotional development of young adults with traumatic experiences.
Background: Music therapy is often used in mental health care units to enhance emotional, cognitive and communication skills, there have been several studies that have proved music therapy to be effective for clients with mental health issues. However, many of these studies have only been carried out to establish the effectiveness of music therapy by using Western musical instruments, and only few studies have discussed how Chinese music instruments can bring a positive impact in the context of music therapy. Chinese instruments should be welcomed into the world of music therapy, for young adults with traumatic experiences, improvising with the pentatonic scale could potentially increase their self-confidence and allow them to engage in improvisational activities.
Objectives: This study will discuss music therapy in Chinese music and how to employ it in treatment sessions by using Chinese music signatures pentatonic scales. The research questions in this study will examine how improvisation in the pentatonic scale on Chinese instruments may alleviate emotional symptoms and issues with developmental skills in young adults with traumatic experiences, looking at: a) coping, b) emotional regulation and, c) resilience.
Method: This study takes the form of a phenomenological research design, by combining observation, semi-structured interviews, and trauma-informed assessments to collect and analyse data. In this study, we will conduct an eight-week music therapy session with three groups of young adults (comprising 2-3 people) involving listening and improvising in the pentatonic scale with the Guzheng.
Conclusion: This study will provide new aspects for music therapy, and we hope to better understand the efficacy of Chinese music instruments and its use alongside the pentatonic scale in a mental health context.
