The bridge from man to man

The Bridge from man to man Working with handicapped people and old people
The therapeutic value of the large Gärtner Kantele ,,Some time ago Horand Gärtner gave me a large diatonic Kantele for use in our institution with the request to try it out in our work with mentally handi- capped children and then to report back so that our find- ings might be used in further development of the in- strument. From the start of my music therapy work the main concern had been to find an instrument which even a very handicapped child could play unaided and in a free way gain musical ex- perience. Playing together and also exchanging tone sequences is a music experience the charm of which no one has so far been able to resist.	After much experimenting with the sound of these instruments we began to use them in music therapy with our children in need of special care. lt was very soon quite evident that the sound of these instruments has a particularily harmonising in- fluence upon the child, the child listens attentively to the sound and its respiration changes to a deeper and more regular breathing. A smal l six year old boy had great difficulties going to sleep. To play a melody at bedtime did not help him because in his compulsiveness he had either to copy or anticipate the melody. However, after the Kantele had been retuned to harmonious chords, he fell asleep after a few minutes of playing. With spastic children we observe a loosening of rigidity and spasticity when hearing the instrument.	But the most convincing proof of the therapeutic value of this instrument was supplied by a seven year old suffering from compulsive and extreme hyperactivity. While in the throes of an acute attack his blood pressure would diminish to a life threatening level. To help this child I rest the back of the Tenor Kantele against his back in the prestage to such an attack. With regular stroking movements I begin to build up the chords from below upward until the full spectrum of all three chords sound, and then I reduce the sequence downward again until only the last lowest note sounds alone. The great resonating capacity of this instrument has an almost immediate harmonising effect" (Extract from a text by Martin Jung, music therapist)

Playing the Lyre as a therapeutic experience ,,Just barely touching the strings while gliding over them of even a simple Wing- kantele, tuned to a high or lower scale, will enhance sensitivity in the fingertips. This can be further enhanced by a gentle or stronger striking of the	string with one's fingertip. Alternatively by gently or more firmly depressing the string and then releasingit the resulting tone varging quality according to the touch employed can be experienced as radiating toward one's head. Next one may reach smaller or greater distances and tone intervals or experiment with playing between right and left hand as question and answer or extending a motif like a musical conversation. The large area of different harmonies offer a rich field of therapeutic possibilitie Excercises might consist of changes from major to minor, resolving dissonance into harmony. Working with such musical contrasts helps to resolve conflict and achieve resolution in the soul and creates equilibrium." Extract from ,,Die hohe Schule des Leierspiels" by Elisabeth Gärtner, see left picture

Friend and helper in old age ,,Being myseif very weil advanced in age, I wish to acquaint you with a special friend and helper. This helper is a harp-like instrument, called a Lyre. Beholding its forms may already convey wellbeing, its somewhat magic and lightfilled and uplifting sound is able to loosen tenseness of soul and lighten the burdens of everyday experience or old age. Even though the Lyre is an instrument offering all artistic qualities to a trained musician, a layman too will find it simple enough to play and gain jjoyful and memorable experiences from it. Whether the patient holds the instrument on his or her lap while sitting in a wheelchair	or the Lyre is laid flat on the covers of the bed: making the strings sound either by gliding over them or striking them individually can convey peace and joy. The blossoming out and bosening effect of the tranquil tones may overcome feelings of weight and gravity and be well suited to accompany the last, sometimes difficult, moments of life. In the Lyre we have'a valuable tool which can have beneficial effects in all stages of life, but especially in old age it may become a much appreciated companion." (Extract from a text by Elisabeth Gärtner)

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