The Effects of Different Amounts and Types of Music Training on Music Style Preference

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of three different amounts of music training and specific types of music training on the style preferences of college non-music majors. 176 college non-music majors recorded their preference for 19 musical examples in varying popular and non-popular styles. Subjects completed a Personal Information Form to determine their years of music training and specific types of music training. Results showed that subjects with five years or more of music training gave significantly greater overall music preference ratings than subjects with fewer years of training. Differences were also found between subjects with three differing amounts of training for instrumental jazz, orchestral classical, vocal classical, and classical piano music. Responses showed differences in preference ratings between subjects who had been in choir, band, and piano lessons. Participation in band appeared to have the greatest impact on preference for non-popular styles of music.