Having the gift of musicality is not shared by everyone. The ability to tap or clap to a beat in time is something that not everyone can demonstrate well. The ones who can, will do so in varying degrees of accuracy. Can the sense of rhythm be measured ? What does it say about a persons overall musicality?
In a recent study, the international research team of Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics (MPIEA) took a closer look into this question.
In the study, they evaluated 5,648 participants in their musical ability to discriminate rhythms, pitch and melody based on their DNA samples. Which were provided along with a musical centered questionnaire.
The polygenic scores or PGS, were calculated by the scientists from their DNA for beat synchronization ability. This score determined a person’s sense of rhythm.
The interesting detail of this study was the fact that all the participants were pairs of twins. Each set of twins grew up in same family and lived together. The researchers took a deeper look into each family genetic pathways in order to see how direct or indirect the PGS rhythm may have influenced their musical ability. After the research was in, it was determined that PGS rhythm played a direct role on musical ability.
Laura Wesseldijk, first author of the MPIEA said, ”We discovered that the PGS rhythm could predict participants’ overall musicality because genetic variants that inform beat synchronization ability are related to other aspects of musicality. These include not only a person’s ability to follow a melody or distinguish a rhythm or pitch, but also the amount of time they spend practicing or listening to music in general.”
It was also noted that the findings drew a correlation of a better PGS rhythm score to early childhood exposure to music. It seemed that the relationship of genetics to environmental influences, like taking music lessons, depended on the child’s musical predisposition. A closer gap of musical predisposition or genetical code and interest was seen from the better PGS rhythm scores.
The PGS rhythm findings went on to suggest they not only could predict a general musical sense. But could also include the ability to dance and enjoy or be generally involved with music.
My belief is that music is to be enjoyed and partook by everyone to his or her own abilities. From professional to amateur. Being involved with music to any degree is very good for our brain health. The PGS findings could prove to be an asset to determine early on those that show a high degree of promise in musical talent. Knowing so could expose a child to music at an early age. Changes to our current educational system may be put into place that could help foster a new and promising career in music. The idea of guiding our children through an educational system that is geared towards the best chances for a persons success based upon what skill set a particular student may demonstrate could prove to be the best way forward.
-A Balanced Brain is a Better Brain for a Happier Life-