Re: Looping Therapy

[Allan Hoeltje <ahoeltje@best.com>]

I believe that there is a certain style of music that is absolutely
therapeutic.  When the stress level at my work-place goes up (I am a 
software
engineer) I tend to put on the headphones and listen to Steve Roach 
(World's
Edge, Well of Souls), Eno (Neroli, Thursday Afternoon), Fripp (Gates of
Paradise), and it puts me in a relaxed state that is very conducive to 
focused,
detailed thought.  Gregorian Chant has the same effect on me.  While I like
classical, rock, and King Crimson (it's own category!) I find that music 
to be
too structured and demands too much attention.  (Of course, there are 
times at
work where KC (THRaKaTTaK, B'BOOM) is entirely appropriate!)

I have had the EDP for about a month now and my playing seems to have just
naturally gravitated toward the therapeutic edge of the spectrum. I see 
nothing
wrong with following one's bliss, to borrow a phrase from J. Campbell.  I 
think
it is very commendable that some of the folks here on LD are playing for
patients in hospital.

-Allan


Petr Dolak wrote:

> As I observe the direction of our discussions, it seems like majority of
> loopers (male loopers) essentially does entertainment stuff: live
> performances, home experiments, etc.  And I wonder if there are some who
> would be using looping techniques and tools in some other forms, like in
> therapy, specific healing methods, and so on.  It seems to me that 
>looping
> could be very helpful e.g. with psychiatric patients, since it gives many
> many options to be creative. Looping sounds, voices, whatever.  The list 
>can
> be long.
>
> Any ideas, experiences, thoughts?
>
> petr
> pepetr@crnet.net