To understand the work of the great pioneers of music aptitude is to gain new insights into the human mind.

In this remarkable book, author Edwin E. Gordon—a world leader in music education research and the study of music aptitude—imagines conversations between the true pioneers in the study of music aptitude: Arnold Bentley, Raleigh Drake, Thayer Gaston, Jacob Kwalwasser, Carl Seashore, and Herbert Wing.

Together these imagined conversations create a fascinating portal through which to explore the nature of music aptitude, its multiple facets, how we can measure it…and what to do with the measurements once we have made them.

Just as there are no students without at least some intelligence, there are no students without at least some music aptitude. Every student deserves appropriate instruction adapted to his or her special circumstances.

This book is a companion to Corybantic Conversations, in which Dr. Gordon wrote about the pioneers of the music education profession. This book is a culmination of Dr. Gordon’s own experiences in music education and aptitude, and it reflects his deep affection for those who truly shaped the field.

Edwin E. Gordon is known through the world as a preeminent researcher, teacher, author, editor, and lecturer in the fields of music education and aptitude. He lives with his wife, Carol, in Columbia, South Carolina.