Abstract
Music is an absorbing andstimulating activity. In the West,listening is the major form ofengagement, with the manycognitive and motor skillsassociated with musical instrumentplaying being achieved to a veryvaried standard, typically by only asmall proportion of the population.How does instrumental learning inthe Western context occur and whatshapes the degree of engagementand attainment?The discussion is informed bya 12-year biographical study of 160children traced from primarythrough to post-secondary schoolexperiences. The article suggeststhat more knowledge about socioemotionaland personal needs andforms of engagement arenecessary if we are to account forthe very varied nature of musicalengagement across Westernculture.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 1026 - 1029 |
| Journal | The psychologist |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |