Musical Intelligence

From the classical compositions of Mozart to the reggae rhythms of Bob Marley, the works of many [Page 611]singers and musicians are respected as valuable cultural contributions, and it is likely that this has generally been the case throughout human history. Archeological and anthropological evidence suggest that music has been performed and appreciated across eras and cultures. Given the ubiquity of music, the claim made by Howard Gardner for the importance of a musical intelligence seems plausible, in that it is clear that there are large individual differences in musical ability and skill.

Gardner indicated that musical intelligence involves the composition, performance, and appreciation of music, with pitch and rhythm as the core elements of music. Individuals who are described as musically intelligent would possess greater ...