Perkins, R. and Williamon, A. (2011) ‘I kind of get lost in it’: experiences of learning to perform music in older adulthood. In: International Symposium on Performance Science 2011, 24-27 August 2011, Canada.
Abstract
This study reports data collected as part of the Rhythm for Life project in the UK. Running from 2010-12, Rhythm for Life provides free programs of instrumental music lessons to adult beginners aged 5o or above. Through phenomenological interviews and analysis, the paper aims to understand the experiences of learning to play a musical instrument in older adulthood. Based on semi-structured interviews with ten adult learners, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) revealed four emergent themes that characterize the learners’ experiences: (1) learning music as offering enhanced social interaction, (2) learning music as offering enhanced (musical) self-confidence, (3) learning music as a form of self-regulation of mood and emotion, and (4) learning music as offering scope for transcendence. This paper considers each of these themes in turn to discuss an emerging “model” of how learning to play a musical instrument in older adulthood is experienced by learners.
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)