This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Sloboda, J. A. Articles by Howe, M. J. A. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Biographical Precursors of Musical Excellence: An Interview Study

Department of Psychology, University of Keele, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, UK, ST5 5fG

Michael J. A. Howe

Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK, EX4 4QG

Forty-two students (aged 10-18) from a special school for musically gifted children were interviewed. Twenty of their parents were also interviewed. The interviews provided exhaustive information about the students' musical life prior to enrolling at the school. It was found that most students did not show any particular signs of early musical promise, and that most parents took an active role in supervising and encouraging the child's progress. The more highly accomplished students tended to come from less musically active families, and tended to have had fewer early lessons than the less highly accomplished students. The most able students had not devoted more time to practice than the others, but their practice time was more evenly distributed between a number of instruments. Results are discussed in terms of social and motivational influences on learning and development.

Psychology of Music, Vol. 19, No. 1, 3-21 (1991)
DOI: 10.1177/0305735691191001


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Creech and S. Hallam Interaction in instrumental learning: the influence of interpersonal dynamics on parents International Journal of Music Education, May 1, 2009; 27(2): 94 - 106. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. Lisboa Action and thought in cello playing: an investigation of children's practice and performance International Journal of Music Education, August 1, 2008; 26(3): 243 - 267. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. Rohwer and J. Polk Practice Behaviors of Eighth-Grade Instrumental Musicians Journal of Research in Music Education, January 1, 2006; 54(4): 350 - 362. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. Ruddock and S. Leong ' I am unmusical!': the verdict of self-judgement International Journal of Music Education, April 1, 2005; 23(1): 9 - 22. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Welch, S. Hallam, A. Lamont, K. Swanwick, L. Green, S. Hennessy, G. Cox, S. O'neill, and G. Farrell Mapping Music Education Research in the UK Psychology of Music, July 1, 2004; 32(3): 239 - 290. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. H. Woody Learning From the Experts: Applying Research in Expert Performance To Music Education Update: Appliations of Research in Music Education, January 1, 2001; 19(2): 9 - 14. [PDF]

				R. Oerter Review Note Culture Psychology, December 1, 1999; 5(4): 499 - 507. [PDF]

				J. W. Davidson Self and Desire: A Preliminary Exploration of Why Students Start and Continue with Music Learning Research Studies in Music Education, June 1, 1999; 12(1): 30 - 37. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. I. Orsmond and L. K. Miller Cognitive, Musical and Environmental Correlates of Early Music Instruction Psychology of Music, April 1, 1999; 27(1): 18 - 37. [Abstract] [PDF]

				F. Gagne Nature or Nurture? A Re-examination of Sloboda and Howe's (1991) Interview Study on Talent Development in Music Psychology of Music, April 1, 1999; 27(1): 38 - 51. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. A. Sloboda and M. J.A. Howe Musical Talent and Individual Differences in Musical Achievement: A Reply to Gagne (1999) Psychology of Music, April 1, 1999; 27(1): 52 - 54. [PDF]

				S. Hallam The Predictors of Achievement and Dropout in Instrumental Tuition Psychology of Music, October 1, 1998; 26(2): 116 - 132. [Abstract]

				F. H. Rauscher, M. Spychiger, A. Lamont, J. Mills, A. J. Waters, and W. Gruhn Responses to Katie Overy's Paper, "Can Music Really 'Improve' the Mind?": Psychology of Music, 26, 97-99 Psychology of Music, October 1, 1998; 26(2): 197 - 210.

				J. W. Davidson, D. G. Moore, J. A. Sloboda, and M. J. A. Howe Characteristics of Music Teachers and the Progress of Young Instrumentalists Journal of Research in Music Education, January 1, 1998; 46(1): 141 - 160. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. M. M. Good, J. P. Aggleton, R. W. Kentridge, J. G. M. Barker, and N. J. Neave Measuring Musical Aptitude in Children: On the Role of Age, Handedness, Scholastic Achievement, and Socioeconomic Status Psychology of Music, April 1, 1997; 25(1): 57 - 69. [Abstract]

				J. G. Geake Why Mozart? Information Processing Abilities of Gifted Young Musicians Research Studies in Music Education, December 1, 1996; 7(1): 28 - 45. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. J. A. Howe, J. W. Davidson, D. G. Moore, and J. A. Sloboda Are There Early Childhood Signs of Musical Ability? Psychology of Music, October 1, 1995; 23(2): 162 - 176. [Abstract]

				J. A. Sloboda and M. J. A. Howe Transitions in the Early Musical Careers of Able Young Musicians: Choosing Instruments and Teachers Journal of Research in Music Education, January 1, 1992; 40(4): 283 - 294. [Abstract] [PDF]