Deep Listening, Broad Listening

Deep and Broad Listening in Music Therapy: Enhancing Clinical Awareness Through Micro-Analysis

As music therapists, much of our work is shaped not just by what we play—but by how we listen.

In this insightful tutorial, Professor Gary Ansdell, a Nordoff-Robbins trained music therapist and internationally recognised researcher, invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and attune more closely to both the musical and extra-musical dimensions of your sessions.

Drawing on decades of clinical practice and micro-analytical research, Gary explores the powerful role of listening—as a clinical skill, a reflective tool, and a means of accessing more nuanced therapeutic insight. He introduces the concepts of deep listening (focusing on the subtle musical exchanges between therapist and client) and broad listening (attending to the context, behaviours, and unspoken elements that surround the music).

This tutorial will help you:

• Develop greater awareness of your own musical contributions and patterns
• Tune into the musical decisions and expressions of your clients with more clarity
• Recognise what may be missed in the fast pace of live sessions
• Explore practical ways to index, record, and analyse sessions for reflection and learning
• Apply the principles of micro-analysis even if you're not Nordoff-Robbins trained

Acknowledging that time and training can be barriers, Gary offers adaptable strategies to bring deeper listening into any clinical context—whether you're working in improvisation, songwriting, or receptive modalities.

With examples, reflections, and practical tools, this tutorial is designed to enhance your clinical sensitivity, support reflexive practice, and ultimately strengthen your client outcomes.

Bonus activities and curated resources are included to extend your learning and offer opportunities to earn CMTE/CPD credits.