Note by Note: A Tale of Trauma, Recovery and Musical Discovery

by Kristi Magraw

A powerful account of what healing really looks like up close from a woman who followed the song in her heart and built a legacy in the healing arts. Kristi Magraw is an established body-mind coach with a busy practice. She is also a music teacher and a professional musician and composer, with two albums and an extensive catalogue of original folk, country and tango songs.  In this book, Kristi tells the story of a life changed dramatically by a traumatic ear surgery at age nine. With honesty and self-compassion, she describes the isolation caused by facial and hearing differences as well as PTSD throughout her unusual childhood.  No matter what happened, there was always a song—hers or someone else’s—to keep her company as she moved through the difficult times. On the way she discovered that she has a great talent for listening and touching people in healing ways. Music was her guide and her guitar was her steady companion during the long, confusing struggle with PTSD and relational problems. Note by note, her voice returned and she completed a CD. Kristi describes all the different modalities and techniques that she had to learn for herself and then passed on to others. She writes about trauma theory, pain, psychodrama, neuro-feedback, attachment theory, the Tomatis method, and many mind-body techniques. Presenting the latest discoveries from neuroscience in easy to understand language, and with many exercises that readers can use to aid their own healing journeys, Note by Note is an unforgettable story of a remarkable life, the magic of metaphor, and the healing power of music.

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2020

Reviews

[Carlos Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a deeply personal analysis into one woman's journey through trauma, and how she found her way back through music and healing, that this 2 things are really powerful. It's not a straightforward story; it jumps around, mixing personal memories with scientific explanations and even song lyrics, and that is what I like about this book, how to connect all that is happening to her like a puzzle.
You get a real sense of what she went through, growing up with unusual family stuff and then dealing with a messed-up surgery. Despite the setbacks, her passion for music shines through. If you're interested in stories of resilience and how people find ways to heal, this one is really special and unique that will change the way you see trauma and how you acquire different tools to overcome it.

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of this book went through a traumatic process that taught her a great deal about herself. At age nine, she was forced to undergo a necessary ear surgery. It caused her to feel isolation and sadness. However, as she healed, she also came to understand the transformative power of song.

As she dealt with PTSD, she used her guitar and her newfound love of music to get herself through the worst of the emotions that were threatening to destroy her. She completed a CD, but she also realized what she wanted from her life. In the years since that time, she went on to become a body-mind coach, a music teacher, and a professional musician as well. This is her remarkable and touching story.

[S Tyty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entirely inspirational, this narrative invites us to change whatever we propose in this life, since it encourages us to believe that changing is possible and that giving up is not an option.
The author put forth a detailed memoir that has it all; especially a personal narrative which is mingled with healing methodologies. Her journey to recovery is enriched by her passion for music. This is what made me think that if we have a passion in this life, we can undergo anything that comes across.
What I liked the most about this book is that it offers insights into how to undergo trauma theory and how to manage pain, as well as mind-body techniques. It even has exercises for us to do. If I have to describe this book in a few words, I would say it is a testament to resilience.

[Rodrigo J · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible story

I found this story incredible. It is a true example of overcoming challenges and offers many lessons on how we should face and heal the traumas each of us carries. First of all, I think self-awareness is very important because the healing process is deeply personal. We all face trauma in different ways, and through self-awareness, we learn to understand and respect our own pace of recovery, leading to better results.

I really liked how the author highlights the importance of using music as a tool for healing emotional wounds. However, in my opinion, the key lies in the patience we must have to overcome trauma and the pain we carry inside. A very good book.

[Camilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

These types of books are really liberating, I personally believe that this type of reading is similar to going for a walk in nature, disconnecting from everything and connecting with oneself. The narrative and the language used by the author is really relaxing. The way in which the reader is motivated to connect with oneself, to go free of baggage and even to live life as a nice melody without acceleration and calm are really rewarding. It is a book in which one not only gets to connect but can set aside all the things of the daily routine to invest time in oneself. It is inspiring, captivating and really exciting. I recommend this book for all those who want to have a space of tranquility, serenity, connection and disconnection. Great book!

[Ivan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note by Note is a complete work of art, written by Kristi Magraw. With a difficult past and a hearing disability, Kristi found a way to connect with people at other levels. With a musical talent and an open mind, she shares the methods she learned over the years to heal trauma.


It was a rewarding read, the author writes kindly and empathicly, sharing intimate thoughts. I recommend this read for people who enjoy self-healing, and people who want to find answers for themselves with proper guidance. The love for music is a pillar in this book, highlighting the importance of a well-balanced life and dealing extensively with neuroscience.

[Gianfranco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Music is undoubtedly a medicine

I am a music lover, I am always listening to music. This book has reaffirmed the idea that I have always had regarding the power of music to influence our mood. This author has always had it clear and that is why her guitar and her passionate love for music is what has transformed her into this healing expert. Her story is an example of tenacity and enormous admiration, I think I could not tear myself away from the book during all the nights I read it. If you believe in healing through other methods, believe me that this book will influence you in a thousand positive ways, it transmits a lot of joy and power page after page, note by note.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book, and I found it a moving and revealing read that took me deeper into my own being through a beautiful healing process through what I love most: music. I connected deeply with Note by Note because of the way a passion can be key to overcoming life's most difficult moments, and I feel that's what happened to me. I think the author is an incredibly talented woman. Besides composing and teaching music, she's a coach who leads me to experience my own self-observation. What I liked most about her story is that despite all the difficulties, she was able to find strength in music, and each note led her to healing. I highly recommend this book.

[Yolanda Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I was very little I have considered myself a fan of music, I connect a lot with the melodies and lyrics, and this is the reason why I deeply connected with this reading and with the author's story in general. It is a book that will immerse you in the life of the author and her story of healing, see how music helped her to regain her voice and it is very empowering to see how she did not stay there, but with everything she experienced she started to help other people to heal. I have always loved music, but I had not recognized the ability to heal that it has and this book helped me with this, I highly recommend it, it is very interesting and deep.

[Chico's Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is. It is a very emotional and heartfelt book following the journey of healing, music, and much more. I learned so much about the author's experience, and I was welcomed into the author's private life. I know PTSD is not that easy to manage; it's something that lives with you and has really affected your life, and music is really something that has been recommended to bring you back to reality or occupy your mind. Even though I don't know the author, I am so proud of how she has overcome her circumstances in life. This book is something I would like to share with other people. It could be of help in their healing journey, too. It is truly inspirational. 

[Daniel Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book with all my heart. It's written with great style and is also very engaging. I really enjoyed the stories in this book because they teach us so much that change is possible and that every day there are more and more things to learn to become a better person. I learned a lot from this book. Furthermore, our author is a renowned senator and is recognized for her talent, not for anything else. I consider her to be a person full of talent and unsurpassed learning. This book was an incredible book; I truly recommend it to anyone who wants to step out of their comfort zone and create value in their own lives and in the lives of others. Highly recommended.

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought to connect so much with overcoming and self-help reading. This book is very complete, it tells the story of the author and how each of the experiences of her past helped her to understand the power of music to heal. I really enjoyed reading all of the author's experiences, especially her story as a child and how music gave her voice back and not only that, but how it gave her a meaning to her life and how she began to help others with their healing processes. I found the whole process wonderful and how she lives her life now, it is an incredibly inspiring and wonderful read.

[Maria Paula Castellanos Monroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply moving and inspiring memoir

This is a deeply moving and inspiring memoir about resilience, healing, and the transformative power of music. I really liked its blend of personal storytelling and practical healing techniques. Magraw introduces trauma theory, mind-body methods, and neuroscience insights in a way that is easy to understand and apply.
Overall, this is an inspiring and beautifully written book that reminds us of the power of music and self-discovery in overcoming life’s challenges.

[Mia C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked reading this book. Magraw’s journey, shaped by a traumatic ear surgery in childhood, is told with honesty and self-compassion. She shares how music became not only her refuge but also her guide, helping her navigate PTSD and personal struggles.
Her story is not just about survival but about finding purpose—becoming a coach, a musician, and a healer who helps others on their own paths to recovery. Recommended.