Comparative analysis of musical abilities of 11-year-olds from Slovenia and the island of Martinique

Abstract

The focus of the study is the comparison between the musical abilities of 11-year-old children on the island of Martinique and in Slovenia, and finding out to what extent their development of musical abilities is influenced by musical and cultural family background, music school attendance, choral singing and playing orchestral instruments. Our analyses showed statistically significant sample differences between the two countries in the comparison of the dependent variables (melodic, rhythmic and harmonic musical ear). Irrespective of the country, the tests showed that a strong musical and cultural family background, music school, choral singing and playing an orchestral instrument further the development of melodic, rhythmic and harmonic musical ear. The study led to some discoveries which will be used to improve music teaching in Slovenia, as the 11-year-olds on the island of Martinique show much better results. The research also indicated important sample differences that will result in a more successful development of musical abilities.