This study describes elemental components of musical activities in clinical care. Caregivers from different professions who all use music as a caring or therapeutic tool were interviewed about the purpose and outcome of various elements in their own practice. The elements described were interpreted as active or receptive, structured, or improvised. Both structured and improvised elements were found to be necessary in order to achieve a reciprocity between activity and reception. The discussion highlights the importance of also including a theory of care in the musical activity.