EARLY SIGNS OF TALENTS AND SPECIAL INTERESTS IN THE LIVES OF YOUNG MUSICIANS

Abstract

Abstract This article reports findings from an investigation of the childhoods of young musicians which provides indications of musical talent and unusual liking for music in the earliest years of life. Forty‐two students aged 10‐17 attending a highly selective specialist music school were interviewed and encouraged to talk about significant events and experiences in their early musical lives. The parents of half the students were also interviewed. In 50 percent of the children there was some evidence of spontaneous early musical activity, in the form of either singing or picking out tunes on an instrument. However, the students who were most exceptional were no more likely than the others to have displayed special talents at a very early age. In addition, a number of parents reported that their child had shown an unusual degree of interest in music while still very young. The findings have implications concerning the possible existence of innate gifts and talents.