In Between the Lines - Book One
by Robert Bruce
An Essay on the Therapeutic Value of Music, Musical Aesthetics and the Spiritual Origins of Music
In Between the Lines - Book One (10 years in the writing and completed in October, 2007. Now Available) lays the philosophical foundation on music with specific focuses on musical aesthetics, the spiritual origins of music and the therapeutic value of music. A significant amount of attention is also placed on the aspects of vibration and how every sound and piece of music reflects a particular state of consciousness; in effect, how music is a very broad and candid living language.
This book also takes a very frank and discerning look at the subject of "music therapy". While it is emphasized that music and every kind of creative expression has a degree of therapeutic value, sometimes a very high degree, the author shines a somewhat critical spotlight on what the so-called experts in this field really know and on the value of what they are offering. Robert Bruce, with an extensive background of his own in this area, takes some of the mystery and guesswork out of "music therapy" with by offering insights on music's original purpose.
Approx. 25,000 words. Introductory Chapters - 1) Another Step on Our Musical Journey; 2) Overview; Main Essay Chapters - 3) Redefining Music Therapy . A Journey of Individual Discovery and Experience; 4) Sound is Primary Aspect of Creation . .In the Beginning Was the Word.; 5) Planes of Consciousness; 6) Vibration and Modern Sound-Sources; 7) More on Vibration; 8) Some of the Natural Therapeutic Aspects of Music . Relaxation, Diversion, Upliftment, Facing Issues and Creative Expression; 9) Musical Aesthetics
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Note from the author:
In Between the Lines - Book One was a project that, off and on, took me 10 years to complete. The various areas of focus together form what I believe is a broad and a unique perspective on music which can help those who are interested streamline their own areas of musical (or arts-related) study, or perhaps take a step in their understanding of where music is going in this fast-paced, information-age world. This first book in the series lays something of a philosophical foundation and contains some information and insights on music which I'm pretty sure are not available elsewhere.
Book One was also interesting for me to finish as it turned out to provide a very apt "explanation" to the piano CD Bound for the Tenderness of Eden which I released in 2003, a project very close to my heart that was, I discovered, not necessarily as easy to grasp as, let's say, your average pop record. Although the Eden CD was recognized by many in diverse fields - health-releated, music-related, spiritually-related - for its unique qualities, it was not terribly obvious to many others as to what this music is really offering. This music in particular is notable for its almost complete lack of flash, gimmick or even entertainment value (which was indeed part of the whole point) and In Between the Lines - Book One very well serves as a "guidebook" as to what this CD is really all about. So it was nice that that part of my work had eventually come full circle.
I am presently working on In Between the Lines - Book Two which will detail a very broad approach to composition and music-writing. It will basically be a system without a system, an account of common areas of the creative process in all effective music-writing, yet contain a lot of revealling details that won't leave the reader wondering what to do with the information he or she has just read. It also takes a rather unconventional look at music education and various other support systems that can offer the aspiring composer a variety of mixed blessings. This approach strongly encourages the reader to look within for artistic direction and inspiration but is not at all impractical or vague. This book will hopefully be available in late 2008.
Book Three will be a musical autobiography and it is hard to say right now when it will be released.
Thank you for your interest and I welcome your comments and feedback.
Best, Robert Bruce
Photo of Robert Bruce taken at the November 9, 2007 Book Launch of In Between the Lines - Book One at University of Toronto - Hart House
