School to studio: the power of making music
Art by Audrey Strauss
The interplay between mental health and music-making has been a subject of study and fascination for years. Over centuries, people have poured their emotions into their musical talents to express and process feelings. This enduring practice continues to resonate with modern-day musicians and has had a profound impact on musicians.
In Sofia Seinfields’ study, “Effects of Music Learning and Piano Practice on Cognitive Function”, experts in the fields of Neuroscience, Music and Psychology collaborated on a study examining the connection between playing a musical instrument and overall well-being. They engaged one group of people in piano lessons, and the other in separate activities, like drawing and physical exercise. The findings revealed that individuals who had taken piano lessons had an increase in their overall positive mental state.
Although this concept can be seen in various lab studies, rarely is it recognized in everyday musicians. This type of self care is utilized by musicians all around the world, including students. Luca Bainbridge (’24), an indie-folk artist of six years recounts how his experience creating music began and eventually unfolded into something greater.
“I started in 2017, so I was 11 years old at the time and at first, it was really just a hobby. I would just produce a little bit here and there, but a couple years later when I started writing down lyrics, it evolved into a form of self-expression,” Bainbridge said.
The idea that creating music can benefit a person goes much deeper than what can be seen on the surface level. Making music offers more than just momentary joy and satisfaction; it has the potential to instill long lasting affects on a person’s character. Student producer Mason Mehring (’24) shares how he uses his music to communicate his emotions.
“I feel like I can talk through music in some sort of way. I mainly just do production, so it’s cool to communicate through that platform because there’s no words at all. I feel like when you don’t have an emotional outlet, the problems just build up and you just don’t know what to do with them, but I can put my problems onto my computer when I’m producing,” Mehring said.
Finding time to make music while also balancing responsibilities personally and academically can be a challenge, however it’s not just about juggling tasks, it’s about finding time to express themselves, and ultimately harmonizing their multifaceted lives. Malin Bird (‘24) explains his balance between his roles as a student and musician.
“It’s definitely difficult–I’m in school and I have a job as well, so it’s a lot to deal with within the week. Regardless, I don’t see it as work. Even if we are working on a setlist, new songs or writing new material, it’s not as stressful as doing schoolwork or work in general. I see it as a way to ground myself,” Bird said.
In essence, creating music can obviously serve as a release of creativity and a way to showcase talent, however applying this talent to mental health and using it to better oneself is a powerful means of self-expression and personal healing.
“I can turn my very personal stresses and emotions into art for others to enjoy. I think writing about different things in my life helps me to process it all and tap into my emotions in a way that is calming and healthy. I’ve also learned a lot about my own mind through writing my feelings and transforming them into songs,” Bainbridge said.