M5 Blog Post 4

 

 

 

 

 



My students, as well as my own children, are always showing me new ways of framing music composition

and enjoyment.  Lofi music, relaxing beats that are supposed to be helpful with studying and relaxing, is 

found easily on the internet.  My students are in an urban district with a history of connections to hip-hop.

As a music teacher, this would be a great way for my students to learn about composition, the purpose 

behind this genre, how it can be found, how it is created, and how it can be monetized.  Students would 

need to be able to navigate the computer or tablet to explore online and app features like GarageBand.  My

pupils have enjoyed various relaxation techniques employed during class, and this is a type that not only 

they can interact with, but be able to create and personalize.   This could also be an opportunity to explore 

the visual aspect with the art teacher and collaborate to enrich this project and make it tangible for the real 

world. 

 

 

Annotated Bibliography

Dsouza, M. P., Shetty, A., D’Souza, S. E., Buthello, E., & Gudi, N. (2025). Vibing the Young

        Consumer to Wellness: Exploring Lo-Fi Music Consumption Through the Positive Design Lens.  

        SAGE Open, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251318806 (Original work published 2025)

        This article posits that lofi is perceived as being able to be used for the betterment of mental health 

        but questions this validity.  The efficacy of marketing to this genre is explored along with the  

        various applications of use for various consumers.  Students would learn that the purpose of their lofi 

        composition has an impact on how they create and market their product.

Harper, A. (2025, April 21). What was Lo-fi?. Taylor and Francis Online. https://www-tandfonline- 

        com.sunyempire.idm.oclc.org/doi/full/10.1080/03007766.2025.2490447 

        The history of lo-fi is explored from its inception prior to the internet and into its current form.  The 

        term lo-fi itself has changed in meaning over time and through differently cultural lenses.  When 

        creating this type of music it is important to know the history and the social perception in order to 

        create with the intent of the student represented. 

Landarini, S. (2023, November 19). (Auto) Ethnographic notes about DIY ethos in lofi hip hop. Sage 

        Journals. https://journals-sagepub-com.sunyempire.idm.oclc.org/doi/

        full/10.1177/27538702231214328 

        This article discusses what lofi music is, how it has been used and created, and its connection with 

        hip-hop, urban youth and the pandemic.  It further explains how it is curated and monetized, and 

        how lofi affects listeners emotionally and mentally.  This is pertinent to students being able to 

        understand why the project could help them or others and possibly show a connection through their 

        love of hip-hop.

Snuggle Up! Comfy Girl: Lofi Companion Is Coming to Steam. (2025, May 20). PR Newswire.   

        https://link-gale-com.sunyempire.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/A840576459/AONE? 

        u=esc&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=d9023f1e

        This is a snapshot of how a specific lofi has come to a gaming platform.  It is interactive    

         instead of static like the ones on YouTube.  Students would be able to see how lofi can    

         incorporate so much more when in a different platform with a slightly different purpose,   

         and if they would want to design their own project similarly.

Tulsi Kumaar croons Lofi reverb version of 'Hum Nashe Mein Toh Nahin' from 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa     2'. 

        (2022, June 15). IANS. https://link-gale-com.sunyempire.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/        

        A707175070/STND?u=esc&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=a6528d15

        Lofi is not restricted to the American palate, and is found around the world.  A popular song 

        in India is discussed with information on how to access the lofi.  Different cultures add their own 

        flavour to music which students may wish to add to their own.



 

 





 

 


 


Comments

  1. Taylor CraftJune 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM

    Hi Jana,
    Your project idea is an excellent example of culturally responsive teaching that empowers students to connect their lived experiences with creative expression. Using lofi music as a foundation for exploring composition, purpose, and monetization builds technical skills and honors the musical histories of each student. Harper (2025), provides a compelling foundation for this work by tracing the evolution of lofi from its pre-internet roots to its current mainstream digital form. This historical lens helps students see themselves as part of a larger musical movement, one that has shifted in meaning and value depending on who is creating and consuming it.
    Lofi music can encourage students to reflect on how their musical preferences and how creations are connected to their emotional states, personal routines, and even their self-concepts. Rather than viewing lofi as background music, students can explore how their own compositions might serve as a form of self-expression or emotional storytelling. This adds a reflective, introspective perspective to the project, inviting them to consider how sound can shape and mirror their internal experiences (Dsouza et al., 2025).
    Depending on student feedback and evaluation of the project, you could also expand it into collaborative work with other disciplines. For example, students might research cultural interpretations of relaxation or wellness through a sociological lens. By combining music creation with historical context, emotional awareness, and entrepreneurial-like thinking, your lofi project supports holistic student development and provides a platform for meaningful, student-centered learning.
    I also wanted to state that I love the aesthetic of your blog and the photo you shared at the end of this blog post. Thank you for sharing!

    References

    Dsouza, M. P., Shetty, A., D’Souza, S. E., Buthello, E., & Gudi, N. (2025). Vibing the young consumer to wellness: Exploring lo-fi music consumption through the positive design lens. SAGE Open, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251318806

    Harper, A. (2025, April 21). What was Lo-fi? Popular Music and Society. https://www-tandfonline-com.sunyempire.idm.oclc.org/doi/full/10.1080/03007766.2025.2490447

    ReplyDelete
  2. Julianna Ellis- New Media & New LiteraciesJune 15, 2025 at 7:33 PM

    Hi Jana,

    I love your idea on learning to create Lofi music. This is such a great way to stretch students' knowledge across a new genre of music as well as extend learning beyond the classroom. It is also a great idea to be engaging and cater to all learning types. Composition is such a great way to immerse students into the music world. As an instrumental music teacher, I value the understanding as to why pieces are written and the intention behind pieces. I also like my students to connect the way the music sounds to the emotion that they may feel listening to it. My students played a very cool piece this year where the composer connected feelings to elements, such as water to peace and stillness, and fire to water. Your project idea will help students feel these emotions through their writing. It will also help students become stronger overall musicians. Great post!

    Here is the link to the song I referenced: https://youtu.be/_RQzjOG7eMY

    ReplyDelete

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