It’s an age-old question: are we born with musical talent, or do we acquire it from our environments? A recent scientific review, Music and Genetics, is seeking the answer.
The review compiled data from genetic studies of twins and molecular biology from the last 30 years, with special focus on the correlation between when a child starts learning music and their achievements as adults. The findings were published by a group of researchers based in Australia, Netherlands, Sweden and Germany.
Do musical parents beget musical children?
The review suggested based on available data that people can be born with musical talent, especially if their parents are musical too.
But registered psychologist and ABC Classic presenter Greta Bradman cautioned against reading too much into this.
“All we know for sure is that music is universally human,” she said. “Unless you’re planning on becoming the next[superstar pianist] Lang Lang, the heritable component of musicality probably doesn’t matter — and even if you are, it’s probably best to do it anyway.
“Just get in there and get into music,” she says.
The authors did find there is a complex interplay between the genetic variables and environmental factors that can make someone more musical.
For instance, many of these studies tried to draw a straight line between when a child starts music lessons and whether they become professional musicians as adults, as well as the level of musical stimuli in the home.
Greta Bradman believes the power of neuroplasticity on developing brain is probably more important than your genetic inheritance. (ABC Classic)
Bradman pointed out, however, that the authors did not “take into consideration relatively recent advances in understanding the neuroplasticity of the brain, and the burgeoning area of music neuroscience demonstrating the effects of engaging with music on the developing brain.”
She said these studies could still be susceptible to bias.
“Heritability, in this review, appears to refer to the extent to which there is a history of music engagement or aptitude in the family, and [the result] is self-reported and assessed rather than by some objective means,” she said.
The musical spark
“We know that for most human behaviours, influences of the common environment, if present, are stronger during childhood and decrease in adulthood, while the influence of genetic factors in contrast increase with age,” the authors stated in the research findings.
The review found younger children’s engagement in playing musical instruments or singing was mostly influenced by environmental factors.
However, researchers found a stronger correlation to genetic predisposition for engagement in playing musical instruments or singing in adolescents.
To understand the nuances of this gene-environment interplay, the review looked into studies of identical and non-identical twins.
Twins, even non-identical ones share genetic features as well as environmental factors, enabling scientists to isolate what factors increase or reduce someone’s musical ability. This is why twin studies have been the gold standard in the fields of genetic and behavioural research since the 1900s.
The authors looked into studies examining musical twins to resolve their hypotheses, such as whether there is a sensitive age to learn musical skills.
Citing a 2020 study that used a small group of professional musicians and a large group of twins, the researchers found a delicate interplay between earlier starting ages and the influence of family home environment on eventual skill level.
Starting music lessons early was shown to improve a person’s recognition of pitch, melody and rhythm in both groups. However, it was not a predictor of whether or not they would go on to have a career in music.
Sometimes genes play a more direct role in musical abilities. There are at least two genetic conditions which canaffect a person’s musicality. The Williams Syndrome is a rare genetic condition which predisposes individuals towards music while causing cognitive deficits in other areas. Additionally, rare mutations of the FOXP2 transcription factor gene are characterised by severe language problems and reduced music skills.
More recently, researchers have identified part of our gene thought to be responsible for our sense of beat. “The fact that gene mutations can alter music abilities suggests that music-related traits are at least to some degree influenced by genetic factors,” the authors said.
Is there a secret ingredient to become a virtuoso?
The review looked into recent studies on the role of genetic nurture, where a parent’s gene influences how they created the environment to nurture their child.
The authors observed:
“Musically inclined parents will not only inherit their musical talent to their children but may also create a more musical environment for themselves and their children resulting in a correlation between the child’s musical talent and musical family environment.”
This genetic nurture mightgo some way towards explaining the reason why there are clusters of musical families. The review highlighted more than fifty highly accomplished and well-known musicians shared family connections with composer J.S. Bach.
The review concluded that environmental factors such as music being played at home, going to concerts and playing instruments increase the importance of genetic factors,enabling children in these circumstancesto become high-achieving musicians as adults.
Learning music at any age
Nicola Benedetti’s parents didn’t have a musical background, but supported her and her sister in learning the violin.(Nicola Benedetti: Andy Gotts)
Despite the findings from the review, Bradman said when it came to musical interest and aptitude, the jury was still well and truly out.
“There are countless stories of people who have a music career with no music engagement from their family prior,” Bradman said, citing the story of contemporary Italian-Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti.
Although they didn’t have a musical background, Benedetti’s parents provided herand her older sister with “the access and opportunity to learn the violin.” Benedetti followedher sibling’s lead, picking up the violin to copy her. Benedetti then went on to become the leader of the National Children Orchestra of Great Britain when she was just eight years old.
“In my experience, nurture is paramount,” said presenter and author Ed Le Brocq, who has taught countless students over many years. Le Brocq’s own mum wasn’t a professional musician, but always made sure he practised when he was a kid. He went on to be a professional viola player for 12 years.
Le Brocq emphasised the importance of regular, stress-free exposure to music as a crucial factor in developing a lifelong love of music.
Ed Le Brocq says students can learn music at any age, provided they have a nurturing environment and can see their dreams mirrored in the world.(ABC Classic: Matthew Lorenzon)
He said students of any age can develop their musical talent if they are “allowed to listen to music repeatedly (crucial to learning), are encouraged to play even though they still have a developing beginner sound, and made to feel proud of what they are doing.”
Le Brocq suggested learning is best facilitated by the environment. “Children and adults both need to feel emotionally and physically secure, be free of anxiety from school, work or home life, and ideally be able to see their dreams of playing mirrored in the world,” he said.
Bradmanalso noted: “The [review] authors themselves do not claim there is an easy, clear relationship between how genes, other heritable factors, and the environment, predict music skill or behaviour.”
Instead, she said: “Their takeaway for the reader is not to draw conclusions but rather to invite further research.”
“Between the impact of assuming a growth mindset, and the power of neuroplasticity, music aptitude is likely to be born out as a result of getting in there and doing it,” she said.
Finally Le Brocq thought it’s too easy to attribute musical talent to genes alone. “Our society makes musicians, so you could say we have the musicians we deserve.”
Legendary 49er Ronnie Lott and music star Sheila E. are among the arts/media/sports/business leaders who are banding together for Follow the Music. It’s a new music education and emerging artists program that has been developed in partnership with Elevate Oakland (which was co-founded by Sheila E.). The program is set to kick off with a concert featuring young artists from Oakland School for the Arts, GLIDE Memorial Church, San Francisco Community Music Center, ELM (Enriching Lives Through Music), Blue Bear […]
