Musical creativity and well-being

Participating in musical activities involves an immersive spectrum of psychological and social engagement. Connections between musical participation and health have been discussed for centuries, and relationships between the processes of music-making and wellbeing outcomes have recently garnered considerable research interest. This chapter reviews recent studies investigating such associations to identify how creative aspects of musical engagement in particular can be understood to enhance health. The chapter begins by offering some suggestions about why these processes may have beneficial effects. Three key contexts for beneficial musical engagement (music education, music therapy and community music) are examined: an organization (Limelight) who deliver music activities for individuals from disadvantaged groups; group improvisation music therapy sessions for individuals with cancer; and songwriting sessions for individuals following spinal injury. The relative contributions of creative process and creative product are considered and psychological concepts such as identity, flow, agency and scaffolding are suggested as important. The discussion extrapolates wider implications of this work to include general music-making beyond clinical, educational and community contexts.