Recent advances in structural equation modeling (SEM) are enabling researchers to study the effects of latent variables on constructs used and developed in the behavioural sciences. This study examined the construct validity of The Primary Measures of Music Audiation with a kindergarten sample of 191 children. A 3- factor model of music aptitude was tested using the EQS/Windows program. The results of the SEM analysis suggest that three factors, general, orienting, and structuring, underlie the ability to audiate short tonal music patterns. Sample goodness-of-fit indices showed an excellent fit (GFI = .973, AGFI =.926). Comparative fit indices were not as high (BBNFI = .855, BBNNFI = .840, CFI =.926). Gordon's (1987) theory of developmental music aptitude suggests that music aptitude fluctuates until around age 9, when it stabilises. The initial step in testing this hypothesis lends support for the 3- factor model and suggests that model fit will improve as children mature.
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