Dialoguing with music and emotions: An exploratory study using songwriting to process grief
Growing up, I was closer to my granduncle and grandaunt rather than my parents as they were the ones who raised me while my parents were busy working. Losing my granduncle led me to examine songwriting as a tool for coping with grief while retaining positive memories of loved ones. I used autoethnography in my background research and developed and tested an experimental methodology, Memoria Per Musica with participants who lost their loved ones. My findings indicate that songwriting can be an effective coping mechanism while retaining positive memories of our loved ones.
My research also provides adaptions and recommendations, which include personalising existing songs by changing of lyrics and using AI to write lyrics and create music. These approaches help individuals to create songs that are more meaningful and reflective of their personal experiences. Overall, my research highlights the potential benefits of using songwriting as a therapeutic tool for coping with grief and offers valuable insights into how individuals can use music to process emotions and preserve cherished memories.