Nature-based Leisure Events that Incorporate Playing Music
By
Chad Howard Clifford
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts
in
Recreation and Leisure Studies
Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation
Edmonton, Alberta
Spring, 2002
University of Alberta
Library Release Form
Title of Thesis: Nature-based Leisure Events that Incorporate Playing Music
Degree: Master of Arts
Year this Degree Granted: 2002
Permission is herby granted to the University of Alberta Library to reproduce single copies of this thesis and to lend or sell copies for private, scholarly or scientific purposes only.
The author reserves all other publication and other rights in association with the copyright in the thesis, and except as herein before provided neither the thesis nor any substantial portion thereof may be printed or otherwise reproduced in any material whatever without the author’s written permission.
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Abstract
This phenomenological study explores the emotional experience of playing a musical instrument during a nature-based leisure event. Data was collected from ten participants through either interviews or written accounts. The instruments participants’ played included guitar, singing, fife, fiddle, harmonica, and the wooden flute. The setting varied from urban parks to remote national parks on outings ranging in duration from an hour to over a week.
My findings revealed five topic areas common to the experience of playing an musical instrument during a nature-based leisure event: escape and change as a motivation for visits to natural areas; sensing the moment; music as a means to focus sensory attention; the combined effect of playing music in a natural setting: something more than the composite parts; music as a way of connecting to nature; and contentment and appreciation. This study offers an insightful and descriptive account of these little understood topics.
Playing music during a nature-based leisure event powerfully altered/enhanced the emotions of participants’ in a positive direction. Therefore, it can be stated this activity created a positive nature experience among participants. Such experiences are valuable for the creation of emotional attachments to natural areas, which is believed to lead to pro-environmental behaviours.
Table of Contents
Nature-based
Leisure and Music