Adults’ earliest memories of songs and melodies based on a large stratified sample

Abstract

Most parents sing to their children. Yet, little is known regarding how early musical experiences are retained later in life. This study is a first attempt to fill this gap in the literature. Based on the stratified sample, we asked 973 adults about their first memories of a song or melody. The results revealed that adults' earliest memories of a song or melody generally were predated by memories for other events; thus, the music memories were not the very earliest memories. The earliest memories for musical experiences were rated as typical, fragmented, and positive. Women reported earlier music memories than men. Current age had no impact on the age of the earliest music memories, but older respondents rated their memories as more vivid. The reported parental communication quality during childhood was reliably related to the age and characteristics of the earliest music memories.

‘Do you remember rock ‘n’ roll radio?’ 1 How audiences talk about music-related personal memories, preferences and localities

“…Previous investigations into how music is remembered have pointed to the fact that memories of the material dimensions of music (lyrics or rhythms for instance) are usually accompanied by associated emotional and contextual recollections. In a study of how adults remember melodies and songs from their childhood, Krøjgaard et al (2017) found that the earliest memories of songs usually have positive connotations and relate to typical rather than extraordinary events in people's lives -for example, remembering a parent's evening lullaby before bedtime. Music also provides a powerful trigger for remembering conspicuous autobiographical details and events (Cady et al 2008cited in Krøjgaard et al 2017Davidson andGarrido 2014 cited in Stevens 2015, p. 264).…”

A Focus on the Reminiscence Bump to Personalize Music Playlists for Dementia

“… 3 Others have found that musical experience dates to the very earliest of memories and, as singing induces emotional well-being, that these early memories were universally positive. 4 …”

“…3 Others have found that musical experience dates to the very earliest of memories and, as singing induces emotional well-being, that these early memories were universally positive. 4 The relationship between memory and emotion has also been clearly described. It is commonly supposed, with evidence from studies showing that memories are most vivid when connected to moments of heightened emotional range.…”