1. Autobiographical Memories
Through Music
By Katie Just, MT-BC
Why tell my story?
 Share with friends and family your thoughts and experiences
 Express yourself—how do YOU want your story to be told?
 Outlet to reminisce and to evaluate what is most important in your life
 Remember—each of us has a story, no matter how big or small. Tell your story to others and hear
theirs in return!
Why tell my story through music?
 Music is easily accessible to all people
 Lyrics can speak volumes—even when you may not know what you exactly want to say
 Can include full songs or fragments of familiar, loved tunes
 Provides a less-invasive outlet of creative expression
Ways to use music in autobiographical memories
 Musical legacies—share your musical style with those important to you. Do you have a favorite
song? Favorite artists? Memories associated with specific songs that reflect periods of your life?
Specific songs that fill you with strength or joy?
 Songwriting—does not have to rhyme; can be about any topic important to you; can use pre-
existing lyrics with your own experiences added in (example: Chicken Fried)
 Music Question and Answer Guides—example on back
Music therapy resources:
 www.musictherapy.org
 www.musictherapyiowa.org
 Bernsten,D., & Rubin, D. C. (2002). Emotionally charged autobiographical memories across
the life span: The recall of happy, sad, traumatic, and involuntary memories. Psychology and
Aging, 17, 636-652.
 Janata,P.,Tomic, S. T., & Rakowski, S. K. (2007). Characterization of music-evoked
autobiographical memories. Memory, 15, 845-860.
Questions? Comments?:
Katie Just, MT-BC, Music Therapist-Board Certified
katiekyzer@gmail.com
Chicken Fried (originally sung by Zac Brown Band; rewritten by __________________)
Well I was raised_____________________ and that’s home, ya know
(where is home to you?)

2. _________,__________,and _______________,where the ___________
(4 characteristics of yourhome/hometown)
And my house is ____________________________
(what does yourhouse look like? What do you like about yourhome?)
It’s filled with love that’s grown in this stubborn ground.
CHORUS:
And a little bit of __________________,cold _____________ on a Friday night
(what is your favorite meal?) (favorite beverage?)
A(n) __________________________that fitsjust right
(do you have a work uniform? Favorite team jersey? Etc.)
And the radio playing _______________________________________
(what do you enjoy listening to on the radio?)
Well I like to see ___________________________________________
(what is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen/experienced?)
See the love in ____________________________________________
(what has made you feel loved?)
Feel the touch of __________________________________________
(who are your loved ones?)
And know the beauty of love
And it’s funny how it’s the little things in life that mean the most
Like ________________________________________________________
(what means the most to you?)
There’s no dollar sign on _______________________________________
(what is something that is valuable beyond a price tag?)
So if you agree have a drink with me, raise your glasses for a toast
Music Question and Answer Guide
 One of my favorite songs is:
 One of my favorite musical artists is:

3.  Our family has always shared special memories with this song:
 A song that makes me happy is:
 A song that reminds me of sadder times is:
 A song that gives me strength when times are tough is:
 My own musical experience is that I
Sing play/ed an instrument play the radio
 If I could give you one song it would be:
 When people hear this song/musical artist, I hope they think of me:
 Some lyrics that I have identified with include:
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