Musical Ability and the Drake Music Memory Test

Abstract

THE manual for the Drake Music Memory Test reveals that the test was designed to provide measures of musical aptitude and evidence regarding an individual's potential for a successful career in music. The manual also indicates that &dquo;Drake scores are highly predictive of success in music courses and music schools....&dquo; The manual, however, does not report on studies performed to substantiate these comments.The present study was carried out in an attempt to provide validity data for the instrument, using nonmusicians, music students and successful musicians. It was hypothesized that (a) Drake Music Memory Test scores (Form A) would be positively related to grades received in music courses, (b) professional musicians would have a significantly higher mean score than would music students, and (c) music students would have a significantly higher mean score than nonmusicians.Method-Sitbjects. One hundred thirty-seven subjects were divided into three groups:Nonmusicians-Sixty-seven graduate and undergraduate students tested in psychology classes. Thirty nine were females and 28 were males, their ages ranging from 20 to 40 years.Music Students-Forty-six music majors from Mastbaum Technical High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were tested. These students had indicated a desire for a career in music.