Development of musical abilities: Cross-sectional computer-based assessments in educational contexts

Abstract

Online diagnostic measurement of musical abilities in a school environment is a new way to enhance pedagogic effectiveness. In our study we developed a technology-based musical perception test which examines basic musical hearing abilities among 1st to 11th graders in Hungarian schools ( N = 2961). The instrument was composed of tasks measuring the discrimination of rhythm, tempo, melody, pitch, harmony, timbre and dynamics, and we also tested the connection between auditory and visual modality. The results indicated an increasing developmental tendency during the period under examination. Students who attend classes with a special music curriculum achieved better results, except in the first years of school. A weak relationship was found between socio-economic background variables and test achievement; however, parents’ educational attainment and students’ school marks have a stronger relationship. Similarly to previous research findings, no significant gender differences were found.