Part 2: Harmonizing Mind and Body with Music – Music Therapy in Practi

Nozomi Nagasaka Profile

MT-BC (Board Certified Music Therapist)
Certified Music Therapist, Japanese Music Therapy Association

Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Department of Vocal Music.
Completed graduate studies in Music Therapy and Vocal Performance at the Department of Art, University of Illinois.

In San Diego, California, she studied under Dr. Barbara Reuer, former president of the American Music Therapy Association, and gained experience in wellness and palliative care music therapy, as well as drum circle facilitation.

After returning to Japan, she established Rhythm in Life with the desire to help people create better lives through music, valuing the here and now, emotions, and the power of resonance. She conducts clinical activities in welfare, education, medical settings, and local communities. Additionally, she teaches as a part-time lecturer at Musashino University and Tokyo Rissho Junior College, and as a drum circle facilitator, she works to share the power of music with more people in local communities, companies, and international conferences.

Her publications include "Music Therapist" (Shinsuisha) and translated works such as "Music Therapist Handbook" (ATN Co., Ltd.) and "Together in Rhythm" (ATN Co., Ltd.).
http://rhythm-in-life.com/

What is music therapy? Exploring its charm and effects.

Music can greatly influence our emotions, helping us relax or lift our spirits.
So, what does it mean to use music as "therapy"?

This time, we interviewed Ms. Nagasaka, an active music therapist, about the basics of music therapy, its actual effects, and how to incorporate it into daily life. (Part 2)

Practical Music Therapy – Receptive and Active

Ms. Nagasaka:
Music therapy broadly falls into two categories.

　● Receptive Music Therapy → Brings about changes in mind and body by listening to music
　● Active Music Therapy → Playing instruments, singing, and moving one's body together

For example, playing music for relaxation and observing changes in brain waves and blood pressure is receptive music therapy. On the other hand, playing instruments or singing songs together is active music therapy.

So, just "listening to music" really does have an effect.

Ms. Nagasaka:
Yes, it certainly does. However, it's not as simple as "just letting the music play."
Even when listening to the same music, people perceive it differently. That's why how you listen to what kind of music is important.

The "Principle of Iso-moodic Matching" in Music – What music is suitable when you're tired?

When listening to music, I sometimes think, "I want to relax, so I'll listen to healing music," or "I want to cheer up, so I'll put on an upbeat song." Is that the right way to choose music?

Ms. Nagasaka:
Yes, that's the "Principle of Iso-moodic Matching."
Simply put, it means that "by choosing music that matches your current feelings and state, you can receive a more effective influence."
For example…

　● When you're extremely tired → Listen to gentle music to calm your mind and body
　● When you want to lift your spirits a bit → Listen to upbeat music to replenish your energy

Choosing inappropriate music can actually become a source of stress.

For example, "listening to intense rock when you're tired"?

Ms. Nagasaka:
That's right. In that case, the sound stimulus might be too strong and could actually make you more tired.
So, "naturally choosing music that suits your current self" is important. In fact, many people use this principle unconsciously.

The Importance of Conscious Music Listening

If we usually unconsciously choose music that suits us, can we assume that we are fully benefiting from its effects?

Ms. Nagasaka:
Indeed, we often casually choose music that matches our mood. However, by listening consciously, we can achieve deeper effects.
For example…

　● Turn off all sounds from the TV and smartphone, and listen only to the music
　● Dim the room lights and concentrate on the music in a relaxed state
　● Breathe deeply and slowly move your body to the rhythm of the music

By doing this, you can experience completely different effects than when simply playing music as background noise.

So, instead of "listening while doing something else," it's about making time to truly engage with the music itself.

Ms. Nagasaka:
Exactly. By consciously listening to music, you become more aware of your feelings and physical state. This also contributes to stress self-care.

Examples of Music Therapy in Practice – An Episode with a Dementia Patient

In what cases is music therapy particularly effective?

Ms. Nagasaka:
Recently, music therapy for people with dementia has been gaining attention.
There are cases where dementia patients, who their families thought might have forgotten them, react in ways they normally wouldn't after listening to music, and their families feel like "Mom is back to her old self" or "Dad is back."

For example, it's common for people to suddenly start singing along to old songs they used to sing frequently. What's also interesting is that music stored in muscle memory is less likely to be forgotten even with dementia.

"Someone who could play the piano, even if they become unable to speak due to dementia, might sit at the piano and their fingers naturally start moving."
Such phenomena are being actively researched scientifically, demonstrating the profound impact music has on the brain.

When I encounter such scenes, I feel less that music is amazing and more that humans are amazing.

Practical Ways to Integrate Music into Daily Life

What can we do to easily incorporate music therapy into our daily lives, especially when we're not exactly sick but feel unwell, or when we can't easily participate in music therapy sessions?

Ms. Nagasaka:
The key is to "consciously use music."
For example…

1. "Choose music that matches your current mood" → Don't just stick to cheerful music; choose songs that naturally appeal to you.
2. "Create time to focus on music" → Turn off your smartphone and TV, and listen to music intently.
3. "Listen while moving your body" → Listen while taking deep breaths or gently swaying your body to the rhythm.

In this way, it is important to actively engage with music, rather than just "listening while doing something else."

Thank you. I want to apply this to stress care and changing my mindset. Music therapy now feels a little closer to me than before.

Ms. Nagasaka:
That's right. "Music therapy" might sound difficult, but simply using music consciously can have a great impact on our minds and bodies, so I hope you'll give it a try.

Thank you very much.
Finally, could you briefly reintroduce your current activities?

Ms. Nagasaka:
I have three main pillars that I want to continue pursuing:

● Clinical music therapy: Practicing in the field.
● Promotion: Spreading awareness of music therapy, and currently teaching music therapy to childcare students in educational settings.
● Research: Writing papers, giving presentations, and compiling activities.

These are the three things I primarily focus on.

Thank you for sharing so many insights with us today.

Click here for Part 1: What is the potential of music therapy? Interview with Music Therapist Ms. Nagasaka!

Recommended Music: Works supervised by Nozomi Nagasaka

"Sleeping Piano ~ Ave Maria ~"

You can preview all tracks by clicking on the album cover.

◆ Title
Sleeping Piano ~ Ave Maria ~

◆ Artist
Classy Moon

◆ Description
A healing piano work featuring "The Three Great Ave Marias" by Schubert, Caccini, and Gounod, as well as numerous famous piano pieces by Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart, Ravel, Tchaikovsky, and others.
☆ Booklet includes full track commentary by Nozomi Nagasaka

◆ Tracklist
01. Schubert: Ave Maria (Ellen's Third Song)
02. Beethoven: Für Elise
03. Elgar: Salut d'Amour
04. Chopin: Waltz Op. 64-2
05. Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte
06. Schumann: Melody (from "Album for the Young")
07. Tchaikovsky: Old French Song (from "Album for the Young")
08. Debussy: Arabesque No. 1 (from "Two Arabesques")
09. Bądarzewska-Baranowska: The Maiden's Prayer
10. Albéniz: Prelude (from "España" Suite)
11. Caccini: Ave Maria
12. Schumann: Of Foreign Lands and People (from "Kinderszenen")
13. Bizet: Habanera (from "Carmen")
14. Streabbog: Violets
15. Chopin: Waltz Op. 69-2
16. Tchaikovsky: Chanson Triste Op. 40-2
17. Mozart: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Variations
18. Mendelssohn: Spring Song (from "Songs Without Words")
19. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 "Pathétique" 2nd movement
20. Gounod: Ave Maria