Music and psychoanalysis: an approach to creative processes and their unconscious dimensions

Abstract

This paper presents an approach for songwriting from a Lacanian psychoanalysis’ perspective based on an ongoing master's degree research. The departure point is related the relevance of the unconscious processes already highlighted in musical cognition research. The research establishes a conversation between these two fields – psychoanalysis and cognition – to, subsequently, address methods and theories that enable a deeper understanding of the different relevant issues on creative process in songwriting. Introducing a brief literature review and proposing the use of methods such as memorial and genetic criticism. Finally, we present the initial steps towards a methodology for approaching the creative process in music with psychoanalytic orientation, based on the analysis of drafts and personal reports in free association.