Relationship Between Creative Behavior in Music and Selected Variables as Measured in High School Students

Abstract

The major intention of this study was to define music creativity and to develop procedures for measurement of music creativity that were sensitive to the music process. Three modes of creative behavior in music (composition, improvisation, and analysis) were identified and compared to selected variables. The sample consisted of 77 high school students who had participated in school music groups but who had had no systematic training in creative skills in music. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the data revealed that: (1) music achievement correlated significantly with all modes of creative behavior and was the single best predictor of each mode, (2) figural creativity correlated significantly with improvisation and analysis creativity and was a significant predictor when used with other variables, (3) verbal creativity was significantly correlated with analysis creativity but was shown not to be a good predictor when combined with other variables, (4) IQ and sex were significantly related to improvisation creativity but not to other modes, and (5) age, grade level, performance medium, and piano lesson background did not relate significantly with any of the modes.

Keywords

age aural discrimination composing creative activities IQ performance medium sex

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