Primate Musicology!

..... The theory is that many primates have motor skills adequate enough to play certain musical instruments. When this idea occurred, originally, I was inspired and considered that, for a start, a very well built glockenspiel might be a candidate. Then too percussion would also be a candidate. There may be other possibilities but these two share simplicity and easy of use. I now think that rhythmic vocalizations could also be a part of the mix.

..... The approach would have to be done through a research station and would proceed along the usual lines for such efforts save that the focus would be the introduction of music to a given group, mainly through the young. The thinking is that they''ll have more interest and perhaps be developmentally ready for developing the skills.

..... My thought was that being able to learn and use patterns, via musical instruments, would affect how they learned in other areas of their lives and enhance their ability to communicate. The study would then correlate the interest and progress in musical capacity with other mental capacities, such as problem solving and communication in general. It could well be that over generations the primates in the study would become increasingly self aware and better able to communicate as needed. This would enhance their ability to survive. I would hope that a multigenerational effort could be mounted to determine if there are changes over a longer period of time.

.... The considerations that came to mind were that this venture, or something quite like it, would enhance the ability of primates to communicate, understand patterns, make patterns and so enhance their ability to think. I also believe that, much as with humans, there would be developmental "windows of opportunity" within which a primate would be much more receptive to musical enrichment. Further, that perhaps, over the course of a few generations their learning would accelerate as would their ability to express themselves, problem solve and communicate amongst themselves or with human beings.

But why?

..... My original idea evolved out of simple curiosity as to whether or not they could taught musical skills. However, over time I thought that other developments could evolve out of that effort and so I am considering the notion that increased pattern recognition, enhanced problem solving, and communication abilities might be developments that would enhance their ability to survive and cope with the human world that surrounds and impacts them. It is an interesting thought and I hope that someone takes up the idea and does the hard research.

But what do others think? The research, it seems, is focused on language acquisition. It seems the idea of musical ability is not being considered and I find that interesting. The ability to learn language has been well documented. An overarching look at the field of Primate Cognition Psychologists have found evidence that monkeys have sophisticated abilities to acquire and apply knowledge using some of the same strategies as do humans. Some of the projects using primates have led to greater public argument over their role in research. Their value as research subjects has lead to increased legal protection for them. Some people say that the genetic closeness of the Great Apes should not only exempt them from use as research subjects, but also affect their moral standing The ability of primates to learn languages: theory supported by Descartes of Hobbes?

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..... I am intent upon problem solving and, in association with Creative Ideas Consulting of San Francisco, I am embarking on another means of affecting the warp and woof of our social fabric so as to promote a healthy change in the evolution of the human civilization or community on Earth.

..... Much more is coming but this note provides notice that help is on the way, in the meantime, to make inquiries, see the following link: Email Dan!