The third and final principle of rapport based musical communication is to be inclusive.  This means that the practitioner should consider each participant’s level of ability and capacity so that participants find the activities both inviting and satisfying to engage in. We know if we are being inclusive when we see participants responding to our offers naturally, of their own volition and the signs of rapport are present - social attention, synchrony and positivity.  If the practitioner is not considering the identity of the participants in this way then the practitioner is not doing this practice.

What does it mean to be socially engaged and how does this differ from the first principle of being responsive? To be socially engaged means to try to establish dialogue with the participants, whether musical, verbal or non-verbal. To be socially engaged requires that we develop skill in all areas of communication so that we can engage people in the way that is most appropriate for them.

The first principle of Rapport-based communication is to BE RESPONSIVE. To find rapport we must be responsive to a person’s in-the-moment interests and behaviours, joining in warmly with 100% of our attention. If we are not being responsive then we are not doing this practice.