Abstract
Participating in creative music activities has demonstrated efficacy in maintaining and improving the quality of the second half of life. At the same time, it is indicated that older adults with little music experience are hesitant to start learning actively. We designed this research to develop a lesson program for older adults using a piano with an automatic accompaniment function and to demonstrate the program's potential experimentally. Older adults (N =6) participated in the program. The program consisted of eight lessons using a piano with an automatic accompaniment function. We assessed changes in the participants' moods and daily life using questionnaires. After completing the program, the results showed positive changes in the “activeness” of the mood and increased music activities and personal communications. These findings indicate the potential of pianos with an automatic accompaniment function as an effective tool for quickly improving the autonomy and the sense of capability of older adults.
