Perceptions of Crystallising and Paralysing Factors in the Development of Student Teachers of Music in Scotland

For some time there has been debate about differing perspectives on musical gift and musical intelligence. One view is that musical gift is innate: that it is present in certain individuals from birth and that the task of the teacher is to develop the potential which is there. A second view is that musical gift is a complex concept which includes responses from individuals to different environments and communities within which they might be placed (Davidson, Howe and Sloboda, 1997). This then raises the possibility that musical excellence can be taught. We have already explored this idea with practising musicians (Stollery and McPhee, 2002). Our research has now expanded to include musicians in training, and, in this paper, we look at the influences in their musical development which have either 'crystallised ' or 'paralysed ' the musical talent which they possess. We conclude that there are several key influences in the musical development of the individual, including home and community support, school opportunities and teaching styles. The research is part of a continuing wider project which will involve investigation in schools