Examining social class mobility and career trajectories of working-class musicians

Griffioen, Keith (2024) Examining social class mobility and career trajectories of working-class musicians. Ed.D thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This research examined class mobility and career trajectories of lower-income, working-class (LIWC) musicians. The aim of the study was to identify in what ways LIWC musicians are challenged when attempting to establish themselves and what factors are necessary for success. Research regarding LIWC musicians exists primarily in relation to popular music rather than multiple genres with a tendency to focus upon the importance of musical participation and access rather than lived experiences of musicians themselves. This study contributes a fresh perspective to music and music education research as the data was exclusively gathered from the memories of eight people, all originally LIWC, who are or were musicians. Coming from diverse backgrounds and locations, each established successful careers and experienced class mobility, some in the musical field and others elsewhere.
This is an empirical study applying a constructivist paradigm framed by Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of social reproduction and feminist intersectionality theory. Autobiography, a branch of narrative inquiry, was the chosen methodological approach and data was collected via one-to-one semi-structured interviews and letter writing. The data was analysed using Clandinin and Connelly’s (2000) Three-Dimensional Space approach.
The study found most participants experienced challenges due to initial habitus and capital deficits. However, participants focused on performance careers endured far greater challenges than those not striving for a professional career. The sharp divide found in habitus and cultural capital was not quite as evident with social capital. The study also found LIWC musicians struggled to establish themselves not only due to social distance from the centre of the field but also geographical distance. Challenges with social reproduction were compounded for the women participants as they experienced sexism in different ways depending upon their generation. Such challenges led to self-doubt experienced by all but one of the participants, and this was again divided by career goals. These resulted from internal doubt as well as external criticism and treatment. To become successful, all the participants required help through mentorship from others established in the field. A second factor for success was retaining aspects of an LIWC upbringing and applying its work ethic. These factors had the greatest impact upon career trajectories and class mobility.

• Item Type: Thesis (Ed.D)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions; H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform; M Music and Books on Music > M Music
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Supervisor's Name: Slade, Professor Bonnie and Hedge, Professor Nicki
• Date of Award: 2024
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2024-84551
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 13 Sep 2024 07:18
• Last Modified: 13 Sep 2024 07:21
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.84551
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/84551