Music - Physical Dexterity - Motor / Manual Dexterity Difficulties

Depending on the character and emphasis of the individual degree programme, the music graduate will have cultivated a variety of skills. Some of these are regarded as essential pre-requisites for entry to the majority of music programmes (for example, the ability to read an appropriate notation-system, and/or to play a musical instrument or sing to a prescribed standard); but even where this is the case, further training will normally be given, either in specific parts of the curriculum designed for that purpose, or as intrinsic elements of the curriculum as a whole. Some elements of some music programmes, however, may be taken without pre-requisite skills.

The following list of the skills developed by the study of music includes those most typical or graduates and most characteristic of the subject. Performance skills: the study of performance cultivates skills of mind-body coordination, physical skills involved in playing an instrument, and artistic and critical skills involved in preparing and presenting a performance. Such skills include: physical dexterity and control (technical mastery of the instrument/voice), together with the necessary powers of sustained concentration and focus.

Students with motor and/or manual dexterity difficulties may experience problems mastering musical instruments and may wish to instead focus on developing their vocal skills.