Absolute pitch, early musical instruction, and spatial abilities.

Abstract

The results of the study show that AP possessors performed better in the Hidden Figure Test than did NMs and musicians with RP and that age at which music instruction is initiated affects performance in specific spatial tasks. Individuals who begin extensive musical instruction at a very early age may have an advantage when completing selected spatial tests over those with no formal musical training. However, characteristics other than starting age of musical instruction are associated with AP and seem to affect musicians' performance in the Hidden Figure Test. The differences found between the performance of AP possessors and RP possessors in this nonmusical task suggest further research.