Musical Intelligence: Meaning, Characteristics, & Careers

It’s nearly impossible to find a person who dislikes music, but people with high musical intelligence are more devoted to it than others. If you love to explore different genres, sing, and learn how to play new musical instruments, you may belong to that category as well.

However, before you can be sure, you should explore what musical intelligence is in psychology and how it manifests itself. Our article will delve into all these aspects as well as show you how you can improve and benefit from this intelligence.

So, let’s dive right in.

What Is Musical Intelligence?

Musical instruments and musical intelligence

Musical intelligence is the ability to appreciate and produce music, think in patterns and lyrics, stay in rhythm, and express yourself through music. People with high musical intelligence are usually more sensitive to sounds and vibrations than others and may be good at discerning pitch.

Musical intelligence was first introduced by American psychologist Howard Gardner in his 1983 book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. As a result, it belongs to Gardner’s original seven intelligence types, which also include:

• Logical-mathematical intelligence
• Linguistic-verbal intelligence
• Visual-spatial intelligence
• Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence
• Interpersonal intelligence
• Intrapersonal intelligence

Later on, naturalistic and existential intelligence joined the original line-up, increasing the number of intelligence types to nine.

Although the general population and educators recognize musical intelligence as a real intelligence type, some psychologists believe it should be classified as a talent instead.

However, Gardner argues that there is a difference. A person may be talented in singing or playing a specific instrument, but the definition of musical intelligence encompasses a broader set of abilities that every person possesses to a lesser or greater degree.

Why Is Musical Intelligence Important?

Musical intelligence is important because it benefits several of your cognitive abilities, including vocabulary retention, focus, and pattern recognition.

In fact, high musical intelligence goes hand in hand with high verbal-linguistic intelligence, as songwriters and lyricists must possess both to write powerful songs that entertain the ears and touch the heart.

In addition, playing a musical instrument requires deep concentration and excellent working memory to help you focus on the piece you’re playing and memorize the notes. As a bonus, you also develop your motor skills since your fingers must be quick and dexterous to play accurately.

As for pattern recognition, it comes naturally to people with high musical intelligence. After all, they are sensitive to sounds and memorize their patterns when listening to or producing songs. Although this is primarily an auditory skill, it can increase your ability to recognize patterns in general.

Ultimately, musical intelligence benefits the brain and encourages its development, especially when exercised at an early age. On top of that, it gives you yet another way to express yourself, which can positively affect mental health.

Characteristics of People With High Musical Intelligence

Keys of a piano

People with high musical intelligence usually incorporate music into as many aspects of their lives as possible. Even if they aren’t professional musicians or songwriters, they like to dabble in it as a hobby and are constantly on the lookout for new music.

The following characteristics of high musical intelligence will help you spot someone who possesses it in no time.

#1. Playing Musical Instruments

Thanks to their natural propensity for expressing themselves through music, people with high musical intelligence are drawn to musical instruments and may play several. To them, nothing’s more rewarding than learning how to play a new instrument.

Similarly, they love spending hours simply jamming and giving themselves a creative outlet without trying to master a new song. In fact, such sessions can be the most fun and even lead to the creation of their own music.

#2. Thinking Musically

People with high musical intelligence don’t just enjoy music or use it to express themselves; they go so far as to think musically.

But what exactly does that mean?

Simply put, musical thinking involves relating your feelings and thoughts to lyrics, rhythms, and melodies. In fact, when processing information and events from their own lives, people with high musical intelligence often come up with compositions or songs instead of actual words.

In other words, these people make sense of the world through music.

#3. Composing & Writing Music

Some products of musical thinking never see the light of day, but others may actually become compositions and lyrics. After all, it’s not unusual for people with high musical intelligence to dabble in writing and producing music.

And in some cases, it’s more than just dabbling. Many composers, songwriters, and producers have high musical intelligence, allowing them to build successful careers and even become famous for their abilities.

#4. Surrounding Themselves With Music

People with high musical intelligence never grow tired of music, even if they have a career in it. In fact, they usually listen to it while driving, doing chores, or relaxing after a long day. And when they don’t, you may still catch them singing or humming to themselves.

In addition, they tend to be open-minded when it comes to genres and styles. They may have a hard time deciding which genre or musician they like the most, as they’re constantly discovering new music and enjoying novel sounds.

#5. Taking an Interest in Technical Aspects of Music

If you like picking apart your favorite song to understand how its various elements work together, you likely possess highly developed musical intelligence. People with high musical intelligence don’t just passively enjoy music but also want to understand it in more depth.

Often, they take an interest in these technical aspects because they hope to learn how to improve their own music. But even if they don’t actively compose songs, they may still find musical elements fascinating.

Musical Intelligence Jobs & Career Choices

Some of the most common career choices for people with high musical intelligence are, unsurprisingly, related to music.

Like any creative pursuit, a music career can be challenging to kickstart and sustain. Still, if your passion lies in this field, it’s certainly worth a shot.

The following jobs will nurture your musical intelligence and simultaneously benefit from it.

#1. Songwriter

Songwriter writing a song demonstrating his musical intelligence

As a songwriter, you can pour your heart and soul into the lyrics and melody, expressing whatever thoughts, feelings, and experiences are on your mind. Then, you can give your song to an experienced singer or perform it yourself—that’s entirely up to you.

The key to becoming a good songwriter is writing as many songs as possible. Even mundane events can serve as inspiration, as long as you kick your creativity into high gear.

Ultimately, the more you train yourself to write, the better you become at musical thinking, which, in turn, makes you a better songwriter.

#2. Singer

Singer singing a song demonstrating his musical intelligence

There’s hardly a more rewarding career than singing for those who enjoy belting out high notes and hitting the correct pitch. Singing takes a lot of practice and even more courage, but once your career takes off, it’s all worth it.

Of course, you might not become the next Taylor Swift and sell out stadiums in minutes, but singing at local bars can be thrilling in its own right. After all, you get to put your music out there, practice your craft, and meet all sorts of new people.

#3. Music Teacher

A music teacher teaching a young girl how to play an instrument

Music teachers may not have the prospect of a glamorous lifestyle filled with adoring fans like singers, but they can make quite a difference for their students. Most students like music classes, so all it takes is a slight push to increase their interest in music.

Interest in music, in particular playing an instrument, is linked with higher IQ due to enhanced connections between the left and right brain hemispheres. In other words, as a music teacher, you contribute to your students’ brain development and intelligence level.

5 Famous People With High Musical Intelligence

Although there is no official musical intelligence test to determine the development of one’s musical abilities, the following five people have obviously proven their skills with great accomplishments and years of dedication to music.

#1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart may have died at the age of 35, but in the short time he had, he composed over 600 symphonies, operas, concertos, solo piano pieces, and other works. He is, without a doubt, one of the greatest and most prolific composers in history.

Mozart’s musical intelligence and love for music became apparent from a very early age, as he was only five when he started composing his first pieces. By then, he could already play the piano, and he soon moved on to the violin and clarinet.

#2. Paul McCartney

Formerly a member of the Beatles, Paul McCarney is renowned as an exceptional musician who has played over 40 instruments over his long career.

In the Beatles, he primarily played bass, occasionally stepping in to play keyboards, drums, and electric guitar. However, he’s tried his hand at the ukulele, cello, banjo, harpsichord, gong, harmonica, and dozens of other instruments.

In addition, McCartney is credited as a songwriter on over 200 Beatles songs, and he still writes and performs as a soloist to this day.

#3. Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson isn’t known as the “King of Pop” for no reason. As a multi-talented superstar, he danced and sang his way to success, leaving a permanent mark on music history.

In fact, in 1982, he became the first artist to produce seven top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits with a single album, Thriller. Two years later, he made history again when he won eight Grammys in one night.

Even after his death in 2009, Michael Jackson’s music lives on, as evidenced by his Spotify account with over 36 million monthly listeners. At this point, he’s become a musical icon whose influence spans several generations.

#4. Cher

Michael Jackson may be the “King of Pop,” but Cher bears the title of “Goddess of Pop.” Originally part of the Sonny & Cher duo, the singer built a dazzling career when she went solo, with over 100 million records sold worldwide.

Cher is one of the rare artists to have won three of the four major entertainment awards—a Grammy, an Oscar, and an Emmy. Her singles also charted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive decades, a feat no one else has achieved.

#5. Sarah Chang

Sarah Chang, a Korean-American violinist, is a classic example of a person with high musical intelligence. She was only four when she first started playing the violin, and she was only five when she was accepted into the Juilliard School, a prestigious performing arts conservatory in New York.

Four years later, Sarah played as a soloist in the Philadelphia Orchestra and New York Philharmonic, and soon after that, when she was 10, she released her first album, Debut. The album was a major success—it quickly became a classic and a best-seller.

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5 Ways to Improve Musical Intelligence

Musical notes

Even if your musical intelligence isn’t particularly high, there are ways to improve it and develop your musical sense. Of course, you’ll likely never reach Mozart’s level, but you can become more aware of musical elements and their various interactions and combinations.

Here are some activities to boost your musical intelligence:

• Listen to music. The more you expose yourself to various kinds of music, the more you will understand it. Even if you don’t listen actively and use music as background noise instead, your mind will slowly become more attuned to sounds and rhythm.
• Read and write poetry. Although poetry doesn’t come with an accompanying melody, it will still help you develop a sense of rhythm and cadence. Ideally, you’ll write your own poetry as practice, but reading famous poets’ works can also suffice.
• Join a choir. You don’t have to be a professional singer to join a recreational choir—in most cases, everyone is welcome. Becoming part of one can help you get in touch with the singer in you as well as introduce you to many like-minded individuals.
• Play an instrument. It’s never too late to take up an instrument and learn the basics. Nowadays, it’s easier than ever—with so many YouTube tutorials, you have endless opportunities for improving.
• Go to concerts, operas, or musicals. Watching professionals at work can teach you a lot but also inspire you to work on your own musical skills. Not to mention, it’s fun!

Final Thoughts

High musical intelligence is usually found in musicians, songwriters, composers, and producers—all professions dealing with music. However, you can be musically intelligent even without a music career. All that’s required is an exceptional ear for melodies, pitch, and rhythm.

Although musical intelligence is inherited from your parents, you can improve it if you surround yourself with music.

So, make it a mission to listen to at least one new song from a different genre every day, and you’ll notice that your musical awareness is growing.