Abstract

This study examined Finnish first-and second-year music education major students and primary education students who participate 25-credits minor subject studies in music, childhood and adolescent musical experiences and musical paths. The participants (N = 30) were asked to write an essay on the topic ‘Music and Me’. Using holistic content analysis, five different composite stories were formed, each representing a different developmental path to a specific musical identity type: pop/jazz musician, ensemble musician, classical musician, leisure musician and music listener. Using self-determination theory (Deci and Ryan 2000) and a combined framework of personal and social identity development (Albarello, Crocetti, and Rubini 2018), it is proposed that versatility of instruction, consideration of basic psychological needs and fostering peer interaction are crucial to adolescent identity development, different musical identity types and pursuit of a musical career. Extended music programmes had a positive impact on participants’ identity development.