Abstract
This study attempted to determine if persons in a noninstitutionalized, elderly population vary significantly in musical discrimination abilities as indicated by scores on the Musical Aptitude Profile (Gordon, 1965) . Subjects in three age groups differed significantly in Tonal Imagery scores. For that portion of the MAP, the oldest age group scored lowest, the youngest age group scored next lowest, and the middle age group scored highest. There was little difference in the Tonal Imagery mean scores of the youngest and the middle age groups. Subjects in the three age groups did not differ significantly in their Rhythm Imagery, Musical Sensitivity, or composite scores on the MAP. The results indicate that elderly persons have some musical ability, as measured by the MAP, and that it does not necessarily decrease with age after 65 years.
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