Today is Tuesday, February 11th, and in this sixth episode I’d like to share some reflections on the question:
Should we say “musicoterapista” or “musicoterapeuta”?
For those listening in English: these are the two Italian words people often use when referring to someone who does music therapy.
This is the question of all questions.
The one you will never be able to avoid.
The most popular one.
The big one.
And the worst thing is this: if we rush into it — and I repeat, rush into it — naively entering this black hole and starting to explain the difference we have read and heard about for the last thirty years, instead of clarifying things, we end up confusing people even more.
And instead of isolating and extinguishing this epidemic, we allow it to multiply logarithmically.
In doing so, we leave our colleagues of the future a world dried out by meaningless questions.
So here is my eradication strategy.
Yes, eradication. You heard that correctly.
Because I feel a deep sense of responsibility towards those poor souls who will be doing music therapy thirty years from now. I do not want this silly question to disturb their sleep.
Because here, ladies and gentlemen, I am not offering explanations.
I am giving you solutions.
And not just one solution, but three.
Three light-hearted, tried-and-tested solutions.
First strategy.
Someone asks:
“Paolo, should we say musicoterapista or musicoterapeuta?”
And I answer:
“It makes no difference. Choose the one you like best. I’ll still be here for you.”
Second strategy.
Someone asks:
“Paolo, should we say musicoterapista or musicoterapeuta?”
And I answer:
“Mmm… both are overused. The market is full. Go with musicopath. A name, a guarantee.”
Third strategy — and this is the one I like best.
Someone asks:
“Paolo, should we say musicoterapista or musicoterapeuta?”
And I answer:
“No.”
Then I wait a few seconds for the person to process the unexpected perceptual, sensory, syntactic dissonance.
And eventually they say:
“Sorry… I don’t understand. What do you mean, no?”
At that point I add:
“No. The question is badly put. While you are asking me whether one says musicoterapista or musicoterapeuta, what you are really asking is whether I am a musicoterapista or a musicoterapeuta.”
And your conversation partner will say:
“Yes, fine, come on… don’t be so fussy.”
And at that point, in a warm and reassuring tone of voice, I say:
“Once again, I’m afraid I have to say no.
In music therapy, thank God, nobody is a musicoterapista or a musicoterapeuta.
If you are lucky, you may meet someone who does music therapy.
And I can assure you: more than doing music therapy, one cannot do.”
So, in order to be truly and clearly answerable, your question should be phrased like this:
“Paolo, do you do music therapy, or do you not do music therapy?”
And the answer?
“Yes. I do music therapy.”
Simple, isn’t it?
So simple that nobody has ever thought of it.
Besides, we all remember — always — that we are something different from, and better than, what we do, don’t we?
Because this is the only strategy we have for remaining light in music therapy.
Otherwise, every time we are not effective or high-performing in our work, we go home convinced that we are wrong as people.
And honestly, that does not seem like a good idea.
This brings today’s episode to an end.
We’ll meet again on Tuesday, February 18th, with another unmissable episode.
Finally, a light-hearted answer to the ancient question:
Does music therapy work?