Rating: 
Summary: A classic
Review: A classic within this genre.
The cream of the crop.
Superb!
Rating: 
Summary: Irresponsible
Review: As a music therapist, I found this book insulting. The music choices sited are simplistic and unresearched, and could hurt (in some cases) more than help. Just listening to "The Sunny Side of the Street" when you are depressed is not enough and can alienate and compound a problem. Music is an extremely powerful medium, and without understanding elements besides just tempo and lyrics it is impossible and irresponsible to give informed advice on ways to use it therapeutically.
Rating:
Summary: I love this book!
Review: Dr.Ortiz gives us a wonderful, well researched book. There is something for everyone! His obvious love of music comes through every page. I look at music differently now and I have a much greater appreciation for all types of music. The use of 'Music Menus' is great fun. I am much more aware now of how music affects my moods. Thank you Dr. Ortiz. I also love the Tao of Music CD by Dr. Ortiz. I look forward to his next book and hopefully more CD's.
Rating:
Summary: Amazingly thorough
Review: Filled with powerful insights this amazingly thorough book seems to cover just about every human condition in a simple to read, practical style. The author covers issues such as feeling low, anger, stress, anxiety and many others through which we all struggle and gives us clear, concise ways of using music (songs of all styles) and sound (our own voices, listening, speaking, natural sound techniques such as toning and chanting) to make each day a little brighter. The book also contains numerous original Zen type parables throughout that serve to emphasize the ideas and approaches in practical, creative ways. These "music-psychology-philosophy" gems alone are easily worth the price of admission. This book is a great discovery and would serve as a wonderful adjunct in most music classes. Jackie Wallers, Music teacher, writer and consultant.
Rating:
Summary: Amazingly thorough
Review: Filled with powerful insights this amazingly thorough book seems to cover just about every human condition in a simple to read, practical style. The author covers issues such as feeling low, anger, stress, anxiety and many others through which we all struggle and gives us clear, concise ways of using music (songs of all styles) and sound (our own voices, listening, speaking, natural sound techniques such as toning and chanting) to make each day a little brighter. The book also contains numerous original Zen type parables throughout that serve to emphasize the ideas and approaches in practical, creative ways. These "music-psychology-philosophy" gems alone are easily worth the price of admission. This book is a great discovery and would serve as a wonderful adjunct in most music classes. Jackie Wallers, Music teacher, writer and consultant.
Rating: 
Summary: How to use music & psychology to meet life's demands
Review: Greetings web browsers! I am John M. Ortiz, Ph.D., the author of The Tao of Music: Sound Psychology. I am a licensed psychologist, certified clinical hypnotist, composer and musician. My book is based on over 20 years of clinical practice, consultations and research. Although supported by hard data, the Tao of Music combines music and sound, psychology and Taoist Philosophy into a "reader friendly," practical guide to assist laypersons and health care professionals in dealing with many common, day to day concerns. Designed as an introduction to "Sound Psychology" it consists of case examples, practical exercises, creative techniques and recommended resources including "musical menus"(hundreds of specific musical selections that can be used to accompany the suggested, detailed exercises). My book is divided into sections and topic areas each addressing how music and sound may be combined with basic psychology to help us to maximize our natural resources and dealing with many of the most common concerns that each of us encounter throughout our daily lives.
These include: depression, anxiety, anger, self-esteem issues, stress, grief and loss, chronic pain, insomnia, self-control, procrastination, growth and change, and the inability to relax.
Other topics covered include physical exercise, romantic intimacy, time management, communication and learning skills, thought stopping, letting go, enhancing creativity, moment-to-moment experiencing,and dealing with redundant, unnecessary "whys?" and "shoulds!" In addition to the more formal exercises a number of "sound awareness" ideas and complementary parables serve to reinforce the notions explored throughout each individual section. The Tao of music also introduces the reader to a number of "psychomusicology" concepts and techniques such as rhythmic synchronicity, entrainment, psychological noise, acoustic memory, and contextual cueing effects. In general, anyone interested in learning practical, alternative holistic techniques to improve his or her life--or in using these tools to assist others in their professional practice--will benefit from my book.
Rating:
Summary: The "right" effect
Review: Having been lured by the ubiquitous hype of "The Mozart Effect" I bought that book a while back and was sorely disappointed. The Tao of Music, however, is a completely different story. This is a book that is obviously exhaustively researched and that does not make any other wordly claims. In plain, simple language it lists hundreds of realistic exercises that can be appreciated and done by anyone. The stories that Dr. Ortiz, a licensed, clinical psychologist, uses to introduce his concepts and techniques are poignant, relevant and believable, and as good as the best ones found throughout the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series. On top of that, the hundreds of short little "zen parables" that are found throughout are alone worth the price of this fascinating book. Buy it, you'll like it!
Rating:
Summary: Bravo! Encore!!!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Superbly crafted and diligently researched.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A gift for mind, body and soul
Review: I just received this gem of a book as a Christmas gift and have not been able to put it down. This is an easy to read, superbly insightful volume with quick, accessible and practical chapters
that should be in everyone's bookshelf right at eye level. As an avid, long time collector of alternative (complementary) therapy approaches I find this to be the most comprehensive book I have ever laid hands on. A pity that, being published by a small publisher, it has not received the "marketing muscle" of much lesser volumes. Bringing together eastern thought, simple-common sense psychology (fully validated by research that supports all of the approaches throughout the book), and music from one's own collection the Tao of Music is a gift for mind, body and soul.
If you have children rush out and also get his "Nurturing Your Child with Music," sensational.
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