The Musical Temperament: Psychology and Personality of Musicians

by Anthony E. Kemp

In their attempts to understand the nature of musicianship, music psychologists have generally focused their attention on cognitive processes and abilities. Although a kind of folklore has long existed within musical circles relating to personality differences between players of different instruments, this is the first book to examine the impact of personality and temperament on musicianship. After an introductory chapter which summarizes the relevant personality theories, the book deals with each facet of musicians' personality in introversion, independence, sensitivity, anxiety, and gender issues. Different forms of musicianship (such as orchestral playing, singing, and conducting) are considered next, to clarify the ways in which specific skills impact upon personality development or predispose a person towards different instruments and styles of performance.

Genres: Psychology

296 pages, Hardcover

First published March 28, 1996

Reviews

[Dave Stansbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some parts of this book were so dead on, I thought they must be following me around. This book was amazing, but would be shelved in the pop psychology section, nevertheless. I gave it 5 stars because I always felt like a fish out of water around coworkers, fans at ballgames, strangers...but it helped to read this and feel like that is perfectly fine and actually, very good. A very personal book for me. Read this years ago.

[Jacob Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating for anyone who has spent time in an orchestra. Plenty of stereotypes find merit in the temperamental profiles in this book.