Identity is a central part of many artistic professions, but it can also be a source of stress and doubt. In a new study, researchers Anna Nørholm Lundin and Tobias Malm discuss how musicians’ identity is shaped and changed during the covid-19 pandemic and what insights this provides for identity learning processes.
Photo: Lightfield
By interviewing both rock and classical musicians, the researchers gain a broad understanding of how identity as a musician is a continuous and dynamic process. The pandemic means revolutionary changes for the musicians but also an opportunity for reflection and learning. The study shows how the pandemic starts unexpected identity learning processes that contribute to a better balance in life.
The researchers state that musicians strongly identify with their profession and that identity is maintained by doing – playing concerts, creating music and rehearsing. The results show that the pandemic leads to strong feelings of both feeling deprived and liberated on the music, which triggers various dynamic identity learning processes.
An initial feeling of being deprived of the music can initiate a feeling of wanting to hold on to the music even more, for fear of losing one’s grip. This can eventually lead to another identity learning process, of daring to let go and pause the music, to give more space for other things in life, such as family and new interests.
– We were able to state that for some the pandemic led to learning about what is important and how music and life can be balanced in a longer perspective. One of our conclusions is that sustainable musician careers seem to be promoted by the fact that music is not everything in life, says Tobias Malm
The study offers valuable insights both for practitioners and educators in creative professions about how resilience and adaptability can provide important lessons about personal and professional development through identity learning.
-Being able to turn a crisis into something constructive has broad relevance not only for musicians but also for other professions where work is a lifestyle and strongly integrated with one’s own identity, Anna Nørholm Lundin.
The study is published in open access at Springer Nature
Robbed or Released by the Pandemic? The Dynamics of Integrating and Situating Musician Identity Learning
Anna Nørholm Lundin. Department of pedagogy and didactics
Anna Nørholm Lundin is associate professor in pedagogy and trained classical musician. Her research can be summarized in two themes: “Career and life paths in the gig economy, alternative industries and elite ventures” and “Learning and identity formation in networks and social movements”.
Tobias Malm, Department of Education and Didactics. Photo: Sören Andersson
Tobias Malm is a university lecturer with a research interest that revolves around identity, learning, small group organization and musical life. He has a doctorate in pedagogy with the thesis “The art of keeping together. On learning and organization in rock bands” (2020).
Last updated: April 26, 2024
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