Music for Wellness from Coursera

You love music. You listen to music all the time. Maybe you sing, play an instrument, or compose music. You don’t need to have musical talent to use music to enhance your well being, and even your health.

Learn simple techniques to enrich your mind, body, and spirit through music. The methods can be applied in your daily life, particularly when you are feeling down or stressed out. Developed by a board-certified music therapist and a vocalist/pianist/composer/recording artist specializing in Indian music, these strategies combine science with the wisdom of Eastern philosophy.

In the course, discover how to unlock your creativity. You will learn not only how to listen to music in a new way, but also how to listen to the impact that music has on you. You will find out how to care for yourself by practicing coping techniques that are supported by music that is special to you.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Music for Wellness!

Welcome to the course! Here we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.

Music For Creativity

In this lesson, we'll begin to work on improvisation and creating music based on how we feel. Improvisation can seem daunting to many, but we will focus adding new ideas little by little until you are comfortable using your voice. We'll work on circle singing exercises and talk about looping in order to create your own song.

Music For Comfort

In this lesson we will focus on using music to comfort ourselves during stressful times. We will start with connecting to our breath and learning to control our breathing. We will continue by talking about creating lullabies and practicing Musical PMR. Finally, we will go through Pranayama exercises and how they can be used for different results.

Music for Awakening

In this lesson, we will begin to take the music that we create and the music that comforts us and use it to focus our feelings into something we need. We will start by chanting and learning about mantra. Then we will use repetition to meditate and change our mood. Finally we will create the modern form of mantra, jingles, to help us focus during different times in our life.

Music For You

In this lesson, we will look at how listening to music can help us focus during stressful times. We will practice active listening and letting music help us control our emotions. We will then practice creating playlists for different needs in our life so that we always have music ready when we need it.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides enjoyable methods to improve emotional well-being and health through music

Taught by a music therapist and vocalist with expertise in Indian music

Offers a unique perspective for enhancing physical, emotional, and mental health

Requires access to devices for optimal learning

Reviews summary

Calming music therapy

Learners say this course is largely positive and is a great beginner course for learning about music for wellness. According to students, the course is well-taught and includes engaging assignments. Through lectures, readings, and assignments, this well-received course covers topics such as the benefits of music, how to use music for meditation, and how to create music for wellness. Those who are new to music or those seeking to use music for wellbeing may be especially interested in this course.

Students enjoy creating and sharing music as part of assignments.

"The assignments each week were also very interesting and challenging in a positive way."

Students feel that the course content is practical and can be applied to their lives.

"Putting in the effort increased my awareness of well being"

"It was very useful."

Instructors Annette and Suzanne are engaging and provide quality instruction.

"Annette and Suzanne were a perfect balance."

"The instructors are amazing."

"I really enjoyed the lessons by Sussanne and Annette."

This course is a great starting point for those who have little to no music experience.

"This course is great for beginners into Music & Wellness."

"I have absolutely no idea about music but now I learnt a lot more and i'm now able to compose songs."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Music for Wellness with these activities:

Review basic music theory and practice singing or playing an instrument

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Refreshing your basic music theory knowledge and practicing singing or playing an instrument can strengthen your foundation and enhance your ability to use music for your well-being.

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Review basic music theory concepts such as scales, intervals, and chords.
Practice singing or playing an instrument for at least 30 minutes each day.
Focus on improving your technique and developing your musicality.
Record yourself and listen back to identify areas for improvement.

Read 'The Healing Power of Music' by Suzanne Hanser

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This book will provide you with a deeper understanding of the science and wisdom behind music therapy, enhancing your ability to use music for your own well-being.

View Integrative Health through Music Therapy:... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow the book.
Set aside time each day to read a few chapters.
Take notes and highlight important passages.
Reflect on how you can apply the concepts to your own life.

Explore online tutorials on music theory, improvisation, or music production

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Taking advantage of online tutorials can supplement your learning and enhance your understanding of music theory, improvisation, and music production, empowering you to use music more effectively for your well-being.

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Identify areas where you would like to improve your musical knowledge or skills.
Search for online tutorials that cover those specific topics.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step and practice the techniques demonstrated.
Experiment with applying what you have learned to your own music.

Four other activities

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Develop a personalized music therapy plan

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Creating a personalized music therapy plan will allow you to tailor your use of music to your specific needs and goals, maximizing its effectiveness for your well-being.

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Identify your specific health and wellness goals.
Research different music therapy techniques and select the ones that are most relevant to your goals.
Create a schedule for your music therapy sessions.
Monitor your progress and make adjustments to your plan as needed.

Sing a daily mantra

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Regular practice of mantra singing can help you focus your emotions and achieve a deeper sense of peace and well-being.

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Choose a mantra that resonates with you.
Set aside a few minutes each day to sing your mantra.
Focus on the sound and vibration of the mantra.
Repeat the mantra for as long as feels comfortable.

Join a music therapy support group or online forum

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Connecting with others who share your interest in music therapy can provide support, inspiration, and a sense of community, enhancing your overall well-being.

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Research and find a music therapy support group or online forum that aligns with your needs.
Join the group or forum and introduce yourself.
Participate regularly in group discussions and activities.
Share your experiences and insights with others.

Attend a music therapy workshop

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Immerse yourself in the world of music therapy and gain valuable insights from experienced practitioners, enhancing your understanding and practical skills.

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Research and find a music therapy workshop that aligns with your interests.
Register for the workshop and make arrangements for travel and accommodation if necessary.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in all activities, including discussions, exercises, and simulations.
Reflect on your experiences and how you can integrate music therapy techniques into your own life.

Career center

Learners who complete Music for Wellness will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Musician

As a Musician, you will use your musical talents to entertain, inspire, and connect with others. This course provides an opportunity to develop your musical skills and creativity. Through improvisation, looping, and mantra, you will learn new ways to express yourself through music. Additionally, the course will help you develop techniques for caring for yourself and managing stress, which is essential for a successful career as a Musician.

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Music Teacher

As a Music Teacher, you will share your passion for music with students of all ages. The techniques you will learn in this course, such as circle singing and mantra, are valuable tools for engaging students and creating a positive learning environment. Additionally, by learning how to care for yourself through music, you will be better able to support your students in their own musical journeys.

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Composer

As a Composer, you will create original music for a variety of purposes, including film, television, and theatre. This course provides an opportunity to develop your compositional skills and explore new musical techniques, such as improvisation and looping. By learning how to listen to music in a new way and to understand its impact on your emotions, you will be better equipped to create music that is both meaningful and effective.

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Music Producer

In your role as a Music Producer, you will oversee the recording, mixing, and mastering of music. This course provides an opportunity to develop your creativity and explore new musical techniques, such as improvisation and looping. By learning how to listen to music in a new way and to understand its impact on your emotions, you will be better equipped to create and produce music that resonates with your audience.

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Music Director

As a Music Director, you will be responsible for leading and conducting musical ensembles, such as orchestras, choirs, and bands. This course provides an opportunity to develop your conducting skills and learn about the history and theory of music. By learning how to listen to music in a new way and to understand its impact on your emotions, you will be better equipped to inspire and lead your ensembles to great performances.

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Music Professor

As a Music Professor, you will teach music at the college or university level. This course provides an opportunity to develop your teaching skills and learn about the latest music research. By learning how to listen to music in a new way and to understand its impact on your emotions, you will be better equipped to engage your students and to inspire them to pursue their musical passions.

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Music Therapist Aide

As a Music Therapist Aide, you will work under the supervision of a Music Therapist to provide music therapy services to clients. This course provides an opportunity to develop your knowledge of music therapy and its benefits. By learning how to listen to music in a new way and to understand its impact on your emotions, you will be better equipped to assist clients in their therapeutic journeys.

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Music Supervisor

As a Music Supervisor, you will be responsible for selecting and licensing music for film, television, and other media. This course provides an opportunity to develop your knowledge of music and its history. By learning how to listen to music in a new way and to understand its impact on your emotions, you will be better equipped to select music that is both effective and appropriate for your projects.

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Audio Engineer

As an Audio Engineer, you will be responsible for the technical aspects of recording, mixing, and mastering music. This course provides an opportunity to develop your technical skills and learn about the latest music production technologies. By learning how to listen to music in a new way and to understand its impact on your emotions, you will be better equipped to create high-quality audio recordings.

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Music Industry Executive

As a Music Industry Executive, you will be responsible for managing the business side of the music industry, such as record labels, publishing companies, and concert promoters. This course provides an opportunity to develop your business skills and learn about the music industry. By learning how to listen to music in a new way and to understand its impact on your emotions, you will be better equipped to make sound decisions that benefit your clients and the music industry as a whole.

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Music Promoter

As a Music Promoter, you will be responsible for promoting and marketing music artists and events. This course provides an opportunity to develop your marketing and promotional skills. By learning how to listen to music in a new way and to understand its impact on your emotions, you will be better equipped to create effective marketing campaigns that reach your target audience.

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Music Journalist

As a Music Journalist, you will write about music for a variety of publications, including magazines, newspapers, and websites. This course provides an opportunity to develop your writing skills and learn about the music industry. By learning how to listen to music in a new way and to understand its impact on your emotions, you will be better equipped to write insightful and engaging articles about music.

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Music Therapist

As a Music Therapist, you will use music to improve the well-being and health of your clients. Based on the course description, you will acquire useful techniques from this course, including improvisation, breathing exercises, and mantra, that could be utilized to care for clients in a holistic way. Thus, this course may be useful in deepening your knowledge and expanding your skillset as a Music Therapist.

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Music Librarian

As a Music Librarian, you will be responsible for managing and preserving music collections in libraries and archives. This course provides an opportunity to develop your knowledge of music and its history. By learning how to listen to music in a new way and to understand its impact on your emotions, you will be better equipped to assist patrons with their research and to create engaging exhibits and programs.

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Music Attorney

As a Music Attorney, you will provide legal advice to music industry professionals, such as artists, record labels, and publishers. This course provides an opportunity to develop your legal skills and learn about the music industry. By learning how to listen to music in a new way and to understand its impact on your emotions, you will be better equipped to understand the needs of your clients and to provide them with sound legal advice.

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