Historically, musical ability has been conceptualised in relation to aural abilities. Recently, this view has been challenged. Musical ability is now viewed by many as a social construction, acquiring different meanings in different cultures, sub-groups within cultures and at the individual level. This study aimed to explore these constructions. One hundred and twenty nine musicians, 80 non-music educators, 112 adults in other occupations, 60 students involved in extra-curricular music and 34 not involved in extra-curricular music were asked to complete in writing the statement “Musical ability is:” The statements were analysed using an iterative process of categorisation. Musical ability was conceptualised in relation to: aural skills, receptive activities, generative activities, the integration of a range of skills, personal qualities, and the extent to which it is learned. The concept of musical ability was constructed in different ways by each group of participants. The greater the active involvement with music making the more detailed and complex the constructions became.
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