Research Catalog

Title

The musical temperament : psychology and personality of musicians / Anthony E. Kemp.

Author

Kemp, Anthony.

Publication

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 1996.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Description

xi, 283 pages : illustrations; 24 cm

Summary

• In their attempts to understand the nature of musicianship, music psychologists have generally focused their attention on cognitive processes and abilities. Although a kind of folklore has long existed within musical circles relating to personality differences between players of different instruments, this is the first book to examine the impact of personality and temperament on musicianship.
• After an introductory chapter which summarizes the relevant personality theories, the book deals with each facet of musicians' personality in turn: introversion, independence, sensitivity, anxiety, and gender issues. Different forms of musicianship (such as orchestral playing, singing, and conducting) are considered next, to clarify the ways in which specific skills impact upon personality development or predispose a person towards different instruments and styles of performance.

Subject

• Musicians > Psychology
• Choice (Psychology)
• Personality and occupation
• Music > Instruction and study

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Contents

Introduction: personality assessment -- 1. Musicianship from a different perspective -- 2. Introversion -- 3. Independence -- 4. Sensitivity -- 5. Anxiety -- 6. Gender role adaptability -- 7. Music preferences and listening styles -- 8. Orchestral performers -- 9. Keyboard players, singers, and conductors -- 10. Musicians in popular fields -- 11. Composers -- 12. Music teachers -- 13. Development of musical talent.

ISBN

• 0198523637
• 0198523629 (pbk.)

LCCN

95039981

OCLC

• 33208086
• ocm33208086

Owning Institutions

Columbia University Libraries