GENETIC FOUNDATIONS OF THE INDIVIDUAL’S MUSICAL ABILITIES DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The article presents an overview of available foreign publications on the genetics of musicality, which is a new direction of modern science (see list of references). It is emphasized that national psychologists define the following components of musicality structure: emotional response to music as its center; the sense of rhythm; the sense of mode, and musical auditory perceptions. At the same time, foreign scholars consider musical pitch, the sense of rhythm, and the ability to experience the pleasure of music as the criteria of musicality. Foreign researchers have linked 36 genes and 7 chromosome regions with those traits. Thus, the genes AVPR1, GALM, GATA2, PCDH7, SLC6A4, and chromosome regions 4q22, 4q23, and 8q13-21 with still unidentified genes correlate most closely with musicality (Szyfter & Witt, 2020). Among the above-mentioned genes, genes GATA2 and PCDH7 are involved in the auditory system development and functioning. Genes SLC6A4, and AVPR1 are responsible for getting pleasure from music, and GALM conducts carbohydrate metabolism. According to Tan, McPherson, Peretz, Berkovic & Wilson, the standard expression of TRPA1 (8q21.11) provides absolute pitch and a sense of rhythm (2014). However, absolute pitch is typical only for 1-2% of professional musicians, which gives reason to doubt it is necessary to achieve a musical career (Jobling, 2014).
 The authors suggest that further research on the genetics of musicality should be based on the technology of broad genome associations research. Its value is not determined by the genes involved in musicality identification but by distinguishing the minor structural variations in the DNA molecule. These variations can alter the functioning of relevant genes in a wide range and, thus, vary the level of general musicality or special musical abilities. The identified set of genetic variations will serve as a marker for early diagnosis of musically-gifted children to ensure their successful education, upbringing, and development in the process of mandatory and regular musical and practical activities.