Practice Does Not Make Perfect

The Voice Science Podcast · Season 3, Episode 4

What can identical twins tell us about practice and musical ability?

Following our episodes on Ericsson’s deliberate practice research and Macnamara’s meta-analysis, we examine a different perspective: Mosing and colleagues’ 2014 study of approximately 10,500 Swedish twins.

Across the sample, more practice correlated with higher musical ability scores. Within identical twin pairs, however, differences in practice were not associated with statistically significant differences in the abilities tested—even when estimated lifetime practice totals differed substantially.

Understanding that finding means looking closely at what the researchers measured. Their tests assessed pitch, melody, and rhythm discrimination. These auditory abilities differ from skills developed through practice, such as playing an instrument, reading music, and memorizing pieces.

In this episode, we explore:

• How participants’ reports were used to estimate lifetime practice.
• Why comparing identical twins helps investigate the relationship between practice and ability.
• What the musical discrimination tests measured.
• How genetic influences may help explain both musical discrimination and the inclination to practice.
• How these findings fit into the wider discussion of deliberate practice.

Research discussed

Mosing, M. A., Madison, G., Pedersen, N. L., Kuja-Halkola, R., & Ullén, F. (2014). Practice Does Not Make Perfect: No Causal Effect of Music Practice on Music Ability. Psychological Science, 25, 1795–1803.

Read the paper

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