A study of the Seashore measures of musical talent

Abstract

The study attempts to determine the reliability and validity of the Seashore tests, and also the relative importance of the various factors measured by them in making up general musical talent. Subjects used included 93 university students and 71 children in the 5th and 6th grades. The test for tonal memory showed considerably higher reliability and validity than those for pitch and intensity, while the test for consonance was found to be quite low. Marked age differences were noted. A decided practice effect was found in tonal memory, but not in the others. In general, Seashore's contentions regarding these tests are supported by this study. Bibliography of 21 titles. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)