The Tao of Music: Sound Psychology Using Music to Change Your Life

by John M. Ortiz

Book Overview

Just about everyone likes to listen to music to put them "in the mood," and these techniques get you "out" of a mood! The "Tao" part is about accepting what you're feeling, and dealing with it, by using Dr. Ortiz's methods. Includes musical menus that you can use to create your own program for dealing with issues, koans for meditation, and various other fun exercises to make music a part of your holistic health program. Appendix, bibliography, index...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1578630088
• ISBN13: 9781578630080
• Release Date: October 1997
• Publisher: Weiser Books
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Fantastic professional resource

I originally purchased this book based on two, completely unrelated endorsements from colleagues who have found it consistently useful both in their personal lives and their professional practices. Having read this excellent book I can honestly say that it is a wise, cost effective investment. The fact that each clearly written, well researched chapter stands on its own makes it very easy to find a topic one is dealing with (using music to handle anger or depression for instance, or designing a personal exercise or relaxation program) and putting together a personalized program from among the many practical exercises suggested. The hundreds of recommended song titles are refreshingly modern and amazingly effective. If extra reseach into a particular area is necessary each chapter offers a number of relevant professional articles and resources to fit each target area.As a professional trainer, however, I find this book takes an added dimension and provides an excellent resource for anyone designing programs to address many typical issues encountered throughout corporate or industrial settings such as time management, procrastination, motivation, productivity, relaxation, communication skills, social relations, and a host of other relevant areas encountered in management, education or business.I recommend the Tao of Music highly both as a professional resource for trainers and a personal tool to help address day to day situations.Julian Evans Corporate Trainer

Bravo! Encore!!!

Having purchased this wonderful book a few months ago I have recently had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Ortiz lecture on his theories of Sound Psychology which are exquisitively detailed in his practical, delightfully written volume: The Tao of Music: Sound Psychology. As a clinician, I recommend this well-researched and scholarly, yet highly accessible volume, to colleagues in the mental health and social service fields wholeheartedly. As a firm believer in taking responsibility for "composing" my life's path, creating harmony and "raising my sound awareness" for the purpose of improving my quality of life, I recommend this book HIGHLY. In short, Dr. Ortiz--a licensed, psychologist with a wealth of clinical experience--has lovingly brought together years of research, consulting, clinical work and his own life experiences to provide us with a book that belongs in everyone's bookshelf. For each of us who has experienced feelings of sadness, anger, stress, despair, loneliness, exhaustion or isolation, Dr. Ortiz offers a number of musical options that will help to soothe the pains and savor the pleasures of life. Thank you Dr. O...I anxiously await your future publications!

Superbly crafted and diligently researched.

Having recently purchased and read several books within this popular genre (Mozart Effect, Tuning Your Brain) I was fortunate enough to have this book recommended by one of my colleagues. As a psychologist, parent and music therapist I have to say that this is--without doubt--the most practical, accessible, and straightforward book in the bunch. Writing from the heart, Dr. Ortiz has crafted a work of love that speaks of personal journeys and professional pursuits that have culminated into a book to assist people of all ages in dealing with common, everyday concerns. In essence, this book uses a well balanced combination of practical exercises, zen philosophy, psychological research, book and music research resources and case examples to illustrate how any of us can use many different types of music to help us get through life's nagging, disturbing and otherwise troubling events. This book is both a pleasure and a treasure, as both a parent and a professional I give it my highest recommendation.

Highly recommended!

I loved this book! In very understandable terms, it defines what many of us have done for years, or use music to change and orchestrate our moods and lives. Juxtaposing human interest stories with the musicology techniques kept me interested throughout. Even the appendices at the end, explaining the science behind synchronicity or musical memory (the way that certain songs take you back to a particular place and time) kept me glued! I admit that this review is a bit reactionary. I could see, as in the "anonymous psychologist's" review, if someone is very troubled, listening to "Sunny Side of the Street" might be dangerous, but so could watching reruns of "Friends"! It's the old argument that some MD's use about vitamins, you know, that Vitamin C should only be available by prescription. Definitely extreme cases should be referred to professionals, but most of us just need a little less stress, some comfort, extra fun, and general wellbeing. I appreciate Dr. Ortiz's empowering average individuals to use the tools at their disposal (music!) to improve themselves. I found the "Tao" to be a caring and unique book. I highly recommend it.

The Tao of Music is an absolute delight!

This book is filled with wonderful, well researched, practical information. The case stories presented throughout the book are fascinating and inspirational. It is obvious this book came from the heart. The exercises are excellently described, simple to follow and best of all, they work! I had no idea that something as accessible as the music we so often take for granted can be consciously used to help us to literally transform our lives. In particular, I have found the chapters on using music and sound to help us get to sleep, to design a complete exercise program, and as an aid for meditation and creativity extremely helpful as well as fun. However, Dr. Ortiz's chapter on using music to add spice to "Romantic Intimacy" tops them all! This book has everything! I recommend it 100%!