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Your NDIS musical journey with Anneliis Way
Are you exploring avenues to support your musical development through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)? Then this is the blog for you. With 17 years of clinical experience, NDIS music therapist Anneliis Way shares her thoughts on the differences between music therapy sessions and music lessons.
NDIS music therapist or music teacher - What is the difference?
Understanding the nuances between music lessons and music therapy can empower you to make informed decisions about how music can best support your goals.
Music lessons:
Music lessons are geared towards learning and improving instrumental or vocal skills. There is usually an emphasis on musical proficiency through structured instruction and regular practice between lessons. The primary objectives revolve around developing musical abilities and understanding music theory. Some music teachers may also encourage or provide music performance opportunities.
Music therapy:
Music therapy is an allied health profession. An NDIS music therapist will utilise a range of techniques (including therapeutic music lessons) to address non-musical goals across cognitive, emotional, physical, and social domains. When music tuition is employed during music therapy the focus will often be on:
- helping people reconnect with playing an instrument when disability, injury or mental health has become a barrier to this
- non musical goals like self esteem and self expression, cognitive skills (for example attention and visual/auditory processing) and developing or rehabilitating fine motor skills. NDIS music therapists are likely to be less concerned with musical proficiency and performance and may offer adapted ways of learning music such as utilising coloured notation or symbols in place of learning how to read traditional musical notation.
Benefit from music therapy today.
Each session is tailored to a person’s individual needs and
goals.
Qualifications and expertise:
Music Teachers:
Music teachers excel in musical education and performance. They are accomplished at imparting musical knowledge and skills relevant to learning a specific instrument and music theory.
NDIS Music Therapists:
Registered Music therapists hold a university degree in music therapy, blending expertise in music, psychology, and human development. Their qualifications enable them to assess, plan, and implement interventions tailored to individual therapeutic needs. They are registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association.
Approach and techniques:
Music Lessons
Structured plans often guide music lessons, focusing on skill acquisition through regular practice, repetition, and exercises.
Music Therapy
NDIS music therapists employ interventions such as improvisation, song writing, music listening, playing instruments, singing, music assisted counselling and music assisted relaxation. Sessions are tailored to individual preferences, goals and abilities.
Choosing your path: music lessons vs. music therapy
Distinguishing between music lessons and music therapy is an important step in selecting the most suitable approach for your musical journey. While music lessons foster musical skill development, music therapy aims to support people to improve their health, functioning and well-being.
Consulting a music teacher and an NDIS music therapist may further help you in your decision-making process. If you would like to learn more about music therapy reach out to Adelaide based music therapist, Anneliis Way today. She believes music makes life better and offers therapeutic instrument tuition in singing, piano, guitar, djembe and song writing.
Discover the benefits of music therapy today.
Providing home and clinic based music therapy services across the southern suburbs of Adelaide.