A project exploring the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of music through 10 weeks of group harmonica lessons.
By 2040 the number of adults aged 65 and older in Wisconsin will increase by 72%. Unaddressed social, emotional and cognitive aspects of aging lead to loneliness, increasing the risk of depression, dementia and early death. Research shows individuals actively engaged in group music-making report higher levels of well-being. Harmonica for Beginners is a 10-week group harmonica class I developed to provide opportunities for aging adults to learn a new instrument, create group music, and contribute to the limited research evaluating the social, emotional and cognitive effects of music on aging adults.
A 10-week Harmonica for Beginners course was developed for 25 participants consisting of basic techniques, classical songs, and Blues improvisation licks. Pre- and post surveys consisting of questions from the CASP-12 Quality of Life Survey and De Jong Geriveld Loneliness scale were administered at the start and end of the course. Survey results were compared with 20 participants in a 10-week course titled Brain Enrichment. This group served as a non-musical control. Both classes are taught at the Brown County Aging and Disability Resource Center.
Both the music-making and non-music-making groups showed an average increase in quality of life questions concerning control and Harmonica tor Beginners participants reported an average decrease in emotional loneliness compared to the non-musical group. While music-making enhances enjoyment, personal development and empowerment in adults, both music and non-music making activities can enhance well-being.
My harmonica project was featured in a video promoting wellness in Green Bay.
Although each of the cohorts was limited to 25 students, the waiting list since day one was over 100! Since starting the program, I have taught four 10-week sessions reaching more than 100 elders in the community.
I constantly receive emails from people who continue to practice their harmonicas and some have even started their own harmonica bands in their living communities, reaching even more people.
