Correlates of musical improvisation in children with disabilities

Author(s): Miller, L. K.

Journal/Book: J Music Therapy. 1995; 32: 505 11TH St Se, Washington, DC 20003. Natl Assn Music Ther Inc. 152-166.

Abstract: Differences in the musical characteristics of free improvisations at two times were investigated in a group of children with developmental disabilities nominated as ''musically inclined'' as well as a control group matched on cognitive level and chronological age. Additionally, behavioral and cognitive measures hypothesized to correlate with musical sophistication were administered. Overall, the children nominated as musically inclined produced more organized and sophisticated keyboard explorations. This higher level of musical structure was initially associated with fewer interfering behaviors, and later with practice during the interim as well as spatial task performance. The implications of these findings for the use of such unstructured music activities for both pleasure activities and as an assessment tool are discussed.

Note: Article GI Orsmond, Univ Illinois, Chicago, IL 60680 USA

Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR; APTITUDE; PEOPLE

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