Independent music-making during Covid-19 and mental health

Psychol Music. 2023 May;51(3):1001-1012. doi: 10.1177/03057356221126198. Epub 2022 Oct 18.

Abstract

In 2020, when the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic surfaced in the United States, physical distancing and quarantine practices terminated group music rehearsals, such as choirs and bands. This study explores the experiences of individuals who created music independently during the pandemic using a phenomenological approach. Using the qualitative methodology and semi-structured interviews, 14 participants who sang or played instruments independently during Covid-19 shared their experiences on music creation's impact on their mental health. Two themes emerged from the data: music creation for comfort and mood management. It is important to understand how music creation can affect the mental health of individuals.

Keywords: Covid-19; mental health; music.