Reminiscence and Music Participation Among Older Adults

Abstract The purpose of this directed qualitative content analysis was to explore the ways in which older adults reminisced about music participation over the course of their lives. Using Wong’s (1995) Taxonomy of Reminiscence as a theoretical framework, six community musicians participated in interviews and completed Meltzer’s (2007) Self-Discovery Tapestry, a life review tool for remembering the past. A total of 225 reminiscences were coded against Wong’s a priori taxonomy categories, which delineate successful and unsuccessful aging. Overall, coded reminiscences reflected healthy aging and satisfaction, including instances of self-acceptance, valuable life lessons, and the reconciliation of life events; however, some participants were troubled by strained parental relationships and bittersweet associations with music. Interruptions in music participation reflected a recurrent, evolving process in music identity renewal. Implications include reinforcing life reviews as a healthy aging practice, examining generational trends across time, and cultivating among music teachers a greater awareness of gerontological tenets.