Musicians and the lifetime soundtrack: Creation and perception of musically motivated autobiographical memories

Abstract

In addition to encountering music in everyday situations, musicians perform, compose, arrange, contemplate and study music in a way that is integral to their everyday lives. This article draws together ideas of autobiographical memory and musicianship via an examination of the ways in which musicians create and interpret musically triggered autobiographical memories. Using original interview narratives, it is argued that the dual roles of producer and consumer typically played by musicians contribute to a specialized relationship between music and memory for this group. This includes discussions of concepts of identity, creative labour, emotion and embodiment that combine to produce particular interactions for individuals.