Research.
I recently completed an MSc in Performance Science at the Centre for Performance Science (a partnership between the Royal College of Music and Imperial College, London). My dissertation investigated the possible effects on well-being, stress and creativity of having access to music-making and learning in the workplace.
The results were very positive as described in this article published in Music Teacher in March 2021.
The Next Phase
In September 2023 I will begin a PhD exploring this subject in greater breadth and depth. I believe that music-making is important for people in their everyday lives, providing a vital key to wellbeing in supporting people’s ability to connect better both with themselves and with others, and so contributing to a sense of wholeness.
The link between participatory musical activity and improved health and wellbeing has been amply demonstrated in recent research. Active music-making makes a uniquely important contribution to our socialisation, wellbeing, self-realisation and personal enrichment. When playing a musical instrument more circuits of the brain are activated than in anything else we do, thus different regions of the brain are linked. Playing music enhances brain plasticity (the ability to learn) through the lifespan and encourages whole-brain thinking, stimulating greater use of imagination and creativity. Music is intrinsic to human development so should be considered a universal resource.
Music learning can occur throughout the lifespan but there are both real and perceived barriers to adult participation: opportunities may be limited and people often struggle to identify as musical, even though it’s now recognised that everyone has degree of musicality.
The value-laden concept of “talent” is increasingly seen as outdated: the idea of “talented” people creating music for the “untalented” is false and robs many of the ability to believe in their own musicality. In many cultures, active musical participation is a normal part of life for all and makes an important contribution towards personal and social integration.
Although so many people would like to learn to play an instrument (or keep playing), there are barriers to them achieving this, including the lack of opportunity and the need for appropriate teaching and support which recognises the different needs of adults. Looking into how this could be remedied is the subject of my research in the hope of increasing access for mid-life adults to the life-enhancing benefits that music-making affords.
In collaboration with
coachhousepianos.co.uk