Musical Notes - Quareness Series 194th "Lecture".
There's a commonly held view that musical "ability" is rare within the general population. Given that many (most?) of those actively listening to music and/or attending concerts appear to possess relatively limited skill as music-makers, it's hardly surprising that musical proficiency is widely regarded as not being realistically attainable if one hasn't been born with the innate talent required. But what if we human beings as a species are "hard wired" to be musical, as much psychological research has suggested? Such would point towards advanced musicality being better understood as a skill set acquired on foot of a number of powerful contributing factors.
Although many may believe that musical skill is the result of being born with a brain well suited for music, it could rather be the case that a more musical brain results from engagement in music activity. Indeed there are many research studies showing how the brain is altered by experience e.g. through emphasizing the transactional nature of development. When people develop to become particularly musical it has been seen as deriving from the "alignment of key and often wide-ranging
transactions - across social, biological, psychological and environmental spheres - that create promotive conditions for significant musical growth".
Muscularity and motor control obviously affect musical development...including performance skills on musical instruments. Perceptual capabilities are also involved here e.g. those whose neurological makeup includes a particular sensitivity to sound may be especially attentive to musical stimuli in their environments. However the possession of certain physiological or psychological traits does not inherently predestine someone to accomplish significant musicianship in life. Genetic influence is complex and with the exception of a few limited "givens" (e.g. height and body size) it seems people's attributes are more generally affected by the conditions and experiences of their lives.
Simple exposure to music typically marks the beginning of any person's musical development. And any greater exposure leads to a better understanding, which in turn amounts to a better mind-and-brain readiness for more growth and learning. In essence the accumulation of opportunities and support helps determine people's musical agency i.e. the sense that they are musical which is a critical factor in achieving more advanced levels of musicianship.
Whether in a formal or informal context, some learning can occur without learners devoting conscious attention. However, more advanced knowledge and skill acquisition seems to require the application of deliberate attention and effort e.g. individual practicing and/or group rehearsing in the case of music development. And for wannabee competent musicians such practice necessarily involves a strategizing to get the most out of the learning effort (in addition to the "muscle memory" driven action of mere repetition).
On the whole psychological research seems to support a clear and coherent account of the development of musicality and that most children are born with a full capacity to engage with music. And although many do not experience the confluence of factors needed to reach a degree of musical "expertise", virtually all people can develop sufficiently musically to enjoy some of the rewards that music listening and participation can provide.
Sean.
Dean of Quareness.
October, 2023.