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Lucy Forde PhD Candidate, University of Edinburgh

Exploring the role of improvisation and co-creativity in the work of music therapists and community musicians with people living with dementia

Keywords: music therapy, community music, dementia, improvisation, co-creativity

https://vimeo.com/840866508?share=copy

Music has been shown to have benefits for people living with dementia, with evidence indicating that music can reduce symptoms such as depression and anxiety, and improve emotional well-being and quality of life (van der Steen et al., 2017) .  The use of music in dementia care is well-established within music therapy, and there are now also a large number of music and health programmes being delivered across the UK involving musicians working with people living with dementia (Bowell, 2017).

As part of my PhD research, I am addressing the question of how music professionals deliver music-based work with people living with dementia, with a specific focus on their use of improvisation and co-creative practice.  To achieve this, I have conducted qualitative research, interviewing music therapists and community musicians from across the UK who are actively involved in delivering music-based activities with people living with dementia, and I am analysing this data using thematic analysis.  These interviews cover how improvisation and co-creativity is approached and delivered, as well as the potential benefits and challenges of using these approaches for people living with dementia and the music professionals themselves. The outcomes of this study will help inform future music practice and policy and highlight issues relating to the well-being of participants and practitioners.

References

• van der Steen, J. T., van Soest-Poortvliet, M. C., van der Wouden, J. C., Bruinsma, M. S., Scholten, R. J., & Vink, A. C. (2017). Music-based therapeutic interventions for people with dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 5, CD003477. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003477.pub3
• Bowell, S. B., S. M. (2017). ‘What would life be - without a song or a dance, what are we?’ A report from the commission on dementia and music. International Longevity Centre - UK.

About Lucy

Lucy Forde is an AHRC funded PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh, researching music making with people living with dementia, supervised by Raymond MacDonald and Dorothy Miell. Lucy is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and her research interests relate to music in healthcare, music in the community, music in education, improvisation, co-creativity, and cross-arts practice. Alongside her research, Lucy has a career as a flautist, community musician, presenter, music educator and artistic director. She trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.