Music   

(8 contact hours) Learn about music therapy and sound healing and their effects on the brain, the end of life, and specific health conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

At a time when people are increasingly turning to holistic methods of healing, music therapy has developed into a powerful and nonthreatening method that can be used successfully with individuals of all ages and disabilities. Sound healing uses vibrational and sound frequencies to promote healing and bring the individual into a state of harmony and health. Music therapy influences an individual's physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being and is especially exciting as a modality that can improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Music therapy for end-of-life care involves playing music on a variety of instruments, singing, listening to music, and performing music based on the patient's preferences.

The outcome of this certificate is for the learner to describe music therapy and sound healing and their effects on the brain, at the end of life, and with specific health conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

(8 contact hours)

Expiration Date (Next date of course revision): 10/12/2026

NOTE: This certificate is not designed to allow you to practice music therapy without further education and experience.

No one in a position to control content has conflicts of interests or relevant financial relationships to declare for this activity.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing nursing education only and does not imply ALLEGRA approval or endorsement of any commercial product.

Accreditation:

American Nurses Credentialing Center

ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

ALLEGRA Learning Solutions courses are acceptable for continuing education in all states.

American Board of Managed Care Nursing

The American Board of Managed Care Nursing recognizes all of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions' ANCC accredited courses for continuing education credit for Certified Managed Care Nurses (CMCNs).

National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors

ALLEGRA Learning Solutions is an approved provider with the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) (Provider #107194).

National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators

ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. To satisfy the requirement for renewal of certification by continuing education for the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE), continuing education activities must be applicable to diabetes and approved by a provider on the NCBDE List of Recognized Providers (www.ncbde.org). NCBDE does not approve continuing education.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Completion Requirements:

You must complete all lessons to receive your certificate. You must pass the final exam in all lessons with a score of 80% or higher AND complete the Evaluation Form in order to receive your Certificate of Completion. Finals are graded as Pass or No Pass. Receipt of your certificate indicates successful completion of the course and that you have passed all final exams with a score of 80% or greater. You may retake final exams as many times as necessary within the duration of the course at no additional charge.

Music Therapy: Inspiring Health and Wellness

Music therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. At a time when people are increasingly turning to holistic methods of healing, music therapy has developed into a powerful and nonthreatening method that can be used successfully with individuals of all ages and disabilities.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the elements, goals, interventions, and therapeutic uses and benefits of music therapy.

Sound Healing: Vibrational Therapy

Sound healing is the process by which participants play or listen to live or recorded sounds in order to have a positive healing experience. Those experiencing sound healing may feel healing on a physical, emotional, energetic, and/or spiritual level. Sound healing uses vibrational and sound frequencies, combined with music or its elements (such as rhythm, melody, and harmony), to promote healing and bring the individual into a state of harmony and health. Many types of music and sounds can be used to reflect the goals of the healing session as well as our individual personality, our culture, unique experiences, and sense of self.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the health benefits, principles, techniques, and modalities of sound healing.

Music and the Brain

Most of what we know about music and the brain has been discovered in the last 20 years. Music is universal across all cultures and, like other arts, is a function of specific social and cultural influences. Listening to or playing music can provide pleasure, joy, and comfort and create life-changing experiences that involve almost every part of our brain. According to neuroscience, listening to or playing even the simplest melody requires the interaction and collaboration of many parts of the brain.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the structures, functions, and the effects of music on the brain, and the neurological, physiological, and psychological effects of music.

Music Therapy for End of Life Care

Music therapy for end-of-life care involves playing music on a variety of instruments, singing, listening to music, and performing music based on the patient's preferences. The goal is to enhance the person's quality of life by relieving or easing a variety of symptoms present during this time, addressing psychological needs unique to dying patients, offering support to, and facilitating communication between, both the family and the patient, and meeting some of the spiritual needs of the patient.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe how music therapy goals, interventions, and levels of practice can support individuals at the end of life in the context of the unique spiritual and cultural aspects of the patient and their family.

Music Therapy and Alzheimer's Disease

Music therapy influences an individual's physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being and is especially exciting as a modality that can improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The type of therapy used in individuals with AD may involve listening to music, singing, composing music, or playing instruments.

The outcome for the learner is to describe Alzheimer's disease, the components of music therapy interventions, music selection, and the effects of music therapy on Alzheimer's patients.

What you will learn

• Describe the components of music therapy
• Examine how music may affect the structures and functions of the brain
• Describe the benefits and modalities of sound healing
• Discuss the goals of music therapy for end of life care
• Explain the effects of music therapy for Alzheimer's patients

How you will benefit

• Describe how music impacts the structures and functions of the brain and the body
• Learn how sound healing and music therapy can assist with healing
• Enhance your knowledge of the impact of music therapy and sound healing on various health conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, and at the end of life
• Discover ways to improve your total health and well-being and positively impact your life and the life of your family
• Learn new information that can help you prepare for a career in many areas of health (including health education, public health, nursing, medicine, social work, environmental health, or health coaching) as well as other fields (such as law, political science, advocacy, etc.)
• Enhance your professional marketability with training specific to the topics covered
• Build knowledge and competencies needed to advance your career and/or improve your personal health and well-being
• Fulfill continuing education and/or national certification requirements

Cyndie Koopsen

Cyndie Koopsen, RN, BSN, MBA, HNB-BC, RN-BC, HWNC-BC is a nurse who has cared for patients in acute care settings, community clinics, and the home. Her professional nursing career has involved nursing executive leadership and administration, accreditation consultation, staff development and education, community education and wellness, and holistic care. She has designed, developed, and presented numerous educational programs for audiences covering integrative health, promotion and wellness, and chronic disease management and prevention. She is the co-author (with Caroline Young) of two health care textbooks. She is the co-CEO and co-founder of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC and has designed and developed over 300 online professional continuing education courses.

Caroline Young

Caroline Young, M.P.H., has an extensive public health background that includes experience in research, workshop presentations in various areas of health care, and online and onsite teaching. She has expertise in holistic community health and wellness program design, development, marketing, implementation, and evaluation. She has also designed, developed, and presented integrative health programs for culturally diverse populations, senior populations, and faith communities. She is the co-author (with Cyndie Koopsen) of two health care textbooks. She is the co-CEO and co-founder of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC and has designed and developed over 300 online professional continuing education courses.

Master basic guitar skills and become the musician you've always wanted to be.

Learn to play guitar, and become the musician you've always wanted to be! In these fun and informative lessons, you'll build basic guitar skills step-by-step with the help of hands-on exercises, audio and video recordings, and detailed illustrations.

The classical guitar skills you'll master in this course will allow you to play any style of music, from hard rock to country-and-western. Good guitar players know that the secret to making beautiful music is to practice, practice, practice—so that's what you'll do. You'll make rapid progress as you follow a carefully planned practice schedule that reinforces each new skill you learn. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate student, this course will take your musical talent to the next level. By the time you're finished, you'll be well on your way to becoming a skilled guitar player.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
• You will need a guitar in good working condition and an adjustable footstool for correct positioning. It's advisable to purchase a metronome for developing your rhythm skills and a music stand so you can practice in a correct playing position.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Start Making Music With Your Guitar

In the first lesson, you'll learn the fundamentals for making music with a guitar. You'll get to know your instrument, realize the benefits of the proper playing position, explore methods for tuning, and discover how to achieve the correct right-hand position. You'll also learn a few playing techniques for producing clear, beautiful notes. This is the first step toward becoming a guitar player. By the end of the lesson, you'll be sitting comfortably and playing notes on your guitar!

Beautiful Tone and Rhythm

Want your guitar to sound as beautiful as it looks? In this lesson, you'll learn basic techniques for creating beautiful-sounding notes when you play. The lesson will talk about basic music notation and rhythmic note values and how to interpret those rhythmic note values so that you can play your music in rhythm. By the end of this lesson, you'll be reading and playing guitar music!

Open Your Mind to Open Strings

In this lesson, you'll learn how to identify bass and treble string notes on the music staff and about the concept of arpeggios for finger picking the bass and treble strings. You'll explore how to play simple music studies in rhythm and learn how to recognize new music notations and rhythmic values. Of course, you'll have multiple opportunities to apply these new understandings throughout this lesson, and you'll continue to develop your overall proficiency.

Playing Music With Your Left Hand

You've got the right hand down. Now it's time to learn about your left hand. This lesson will teach you how to establish the correct left-hand position and the details that go into pressing your left-hand fingers against the strings. You'll also learn to identify the E1 string notes on the music staff and begin playing simple exercises that include open strings. After that, you'll be introduced to stretching exercises that will enhance the range of motion in your fingers. Finally, the lesson will discuss a few new music notations and terms!

Playing Music on the E1 and B2 Strings

In this lesson, you'll discover new notes on your B2 string and examine the details that go into creating harmony between the B2 and E1 string notes. You'll learn how to combine your newfound notes together with open strings to play more complex music, allowing you to improve your skill level. You'll also learn about the musical term legato, the facing repeat sign for music with multiple endings. Finally, you'll discover a new time signature, the concept of the pick-up note.

Playing Music on the E1, B2, and G3 Strings

In this lesson, you'll begin by focusing on the G3 string. You'll learn notes on the G3 string, be able to identify their location on the music staff, and then practice creating harmony between all three treble string notes to play more beautiful music. You'll learn about rests and their corresponding symbols, find out about music in two voices, and discover techniques that will allow you to gain more control over the way your music sounds.

Sharps and Flats in New Rhythms

This lesson will discuss accidentals (sharps and flats) in music. You'll learn to identify their symbols and apply them to play more interesting and beautiful music. You'll also learn about sixteenth notes and the associated rest symbol, and do an exercise so that you can apply this rhythmic value. You'll conclude the lesson by examining a scale and learning why scales are important to your development as a guitarist.

Playing Two Notes Together

This is where things really get exciting! In this lesson, you'll examine techniques for playing two notes together. You'll discover a new time signature and various ways of playing this rhythm in music. You'll learn how to use guide and pivot fingers to create smooth chord transitions and continue to build on your skills by learning new music and right-hand exercises.

Understanding Open String Equivalents

This lesson will discuss open string equivalents, and you'll learn to identify their location on the music staff and on the fret board. You'll also take a look at a few new notes and discover other possible ways of playing two notes together to further understand the value of playing with correct right-hand fingering. You'll examine how to read other repeat markings and signs that direct you through the music. Finally, the lesson will conclude with a technical exercise to help build your coordination and develop the stretch range of your fingers!

Tempo Terms and Volume Control

In this lesson, you'll learn more about tempo and how it's used to create musical expression. You'll continue to build on your understanding of correct left- and right-hand fingering, examine triplets, and learn how to count and play this new rhythm in various time signatures. The lesson will then discuss volume, and you'll learn how you can use it to add expression to your music. Of course, you'll also continue to develop your overall coordination. See you on the inside!

Volume and Musical Expression

In this lesson, you'll learn about dynamic markings so that you can further express your music. You'll examine the technique for playing three notes together and continue to build on your understanding of correct right-hand fingering. You'll also discover ways to minimize unwanted sounds that naturally occur when you're playing, and then practice a new exercise that will help to increase your skill level.

Playing Expressive Music

In the final lesson, you'll be introduced to dynamic tempo terms that will help you artistically express your music. You'll find out how accenting notes can define the melody and reveal other hidden voices in the music to add nuance and interest. You'll discover how to play four notes together and study some techniques for strumming through the strings so that you can finish a song with flare. You'll also take a look at a final song that incorporates many of the terms and techniques you've learned in this course so you can continue practicing and improving your skills!

What you will learn

• Discover how to correctly hold, tune, and achieve the proper right-hand position on your guitar
• Understand the essential techniques of tone, the fundamentals of music notation, and the basic music rhythms
• Identify bass and treble string notes on the music staff, and learn the finger-picking technique through various rhythm exercises
• Gain an understanding of the correct left-hand position
• Recognize rest symbols, and understand how to apply them in music with two voices
• Understand the concept and technique for playing two notes together
• Learn about tempo terms and volume control
• Realize and practice techniques to minimize unwanted sounds that naturally occur when you play

How you will benefit

• Learn to play guitar, and become the musician you've always wanted to be
• Get a carefully planned practice schedule that reinforces each new skill you learn
• Take your musical talent to the next level and develop a great new hobby

Edward Burns

Edward Burns has an extensive musical background as a professional performer, instructor, composer, and recording artist. He has published two guitar methods and composed several guitar technique studies designed to develop specific skills. Burns has also taught guitar and music theory courses for colleges, music academies, and conservatories.