Will my children be musical? Exploring current research on the role of genetics and the heritability of music ability

Abstract

Research over the past decade has provided a strong, ongoing discourse and evidence of the heritability of genetic ability and, furthermore, its role in understanding complex issues, such as intelligence and musical ability. However, it is often diffi cult to keep up with current trends and make sense of new research. The aim of this article is to review the current literature, in the rapidly growing inter and multidisciplinary fi elds of music and psychology, on the role of genes and the heritability of musicality, musical ability, intelligence and musical development, from various sources in an effort to better comprehend the role of genetics in the inherited musical ability and expression of our children. The article concludes that evidence from the studies of genetics suggests that it is unlikely that there are single genes responsible for any complex behaviour, including musicality and musical ability. Behaviour depends on a complex interaction between skills and experience. Genetics may play a substantial role in the link between music training and IQ, although the role of personality and cognitive ability is substantial and is still being investigated. Musical development is a non-linear process in constant interaction with many factors.

Navorsing oor die afgelope dekade het ‘n sterk deurlopende diskoers en bewyse van die oorerfl ikheid van genetiese vermoë, en voorts, sy rol in die begrip van komplekse kwessies soos intelligensie en musikale vermoë. Dit is egter dikwels moeilik om tred te hou met die huidige tendense en gevoel van nuwe navorsing. Die doel van hierdie artikel is om die huidige literatuur te hersien in die vinnig groeiende inter-en multidissiplinêre velde van musiek en sielkunde oor die rol van gene en die oorerfl ikheid van musikaliteit, musikale vermoë, intelligensie, en musikale ontwikkeling vanuit verskeie bronne in ‘n poging om ‘n beter begrip te hê oor die rol van genetika in die oorerfl ike musikale vermoë en uitdrukking in ons kinders. Die artikel sluit af dat bewyse uit die studie van genetika daarop dui dat daar onwaarskynlik enkele gene verantwoordelik is vir enige komplekse gedrag, met inbegrip van musikaliteit en musikale vermoë. Gedrag is afhanklik van ‘n komplekse interaksie tussen vaardighede en ervarings. Genetika kan ‘n belangrike rol speel in die skakel tussen musiek opleiding en IK, maar die rol van die persoonlikheid en kognitiewe vermoë is aansienlik en word nog ondersoek. Musikale ontwikkeling is ‘n nie-lineêre proses in konstante interaksie met baie meedelende faktore.