Looking for musicians with aphantasia

January 16, 20201 min readByØyvind Heilo

Hello, My name is Øyvind Heilo, student in Musicology, the University of Oslo. I'm currently planning on writing a bachelor on Musicality and Aphantasia and looking for musicians with aphantasia. I'm thinking of doing a questionaire or perhaps more comprehensive interviews for qualitative research. Deadline for the assignment is late May. If you are interested pleae notify me here and I will supply more information as the project gets into a more concrete stadium. Regards!

Looking for musicians with aphantasia | Aphantasia Network

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Victoria Blue•recently•edited

Hello, I am a musician! I am currently studying for my masters in music performance and am doing research into the effects of artistic and musical studies on students with Aphantasia and a lack of an inner monologue and would love to talk to you about anything you had come across in your research and get to know your personal experiences!I am planning on focusing on this for my DMA cognate and would love to find Artist's/Musician's that are Aphantasiac. I am also looking for others that are interested in the education and pedagogical side that would like to speak with me.I look forward to hearing from you or anyone that would be interested in sharing their stories with me!

Judith DeWitt•recently•edited

Hello Øyvind,Anything further on your research?

Lewis Duggan•recently•edited

Hey ØyvindI am in a similar situation to you when you were made this post. I discovered a few years ago that I have Aphantasia and I have been practicing music making for around 9 years both casually and in formal education. I study at a university in England and am looking to do a research paper on how aphantasia affects musicians and the experience of music, in order to further broaden my own and the collective understanding of the condition.I was wondering if you have any information, notes or findings to share on this as it would be great if we could discuss the topic together.Thanks,Lewis

Judith DeWitt•recently•edited

Hi Lewis, I replied to Øyvind's original post about his study, for which the deadline was almost six months ago. I have heard nothing from him since then. As I said in my reply to his post - you should be able to see it above - I have a Bachelor of Musical Arts in Voice. I also play piano and violin & viola passibly, viola well enough to play as a community member, and not last chair, in the International Symphony Orchestra (Canada-USA). If you have a questionnaire or other research, I'd be happy to assist. Judith

Judith DeWitt•recently•edited

I have a B.Mus.Ed with a major in voice. I am currently taking voice lessons and preparing to sing 9 solos in 5 classes in our local festival, plus a couple with my teacher's small ensemble.I also take violin and viola lessons and play viola in our local symphony and teach voice, piano and violin.My husband read an article on aphantasia about a month ago and sent it to me asking if it sounded like me.I had discovered about 10 years ago that my inability to visualize or hear, see, smell, touch are not experienced by most people I know. I had it confirmed in our community book club shortly afterwards.I would be happy to answer a questionnaire for you.

Giselle Ihrig•recently•edited

Hello, I actually found out that I have aphantasia today. I am a highschool student. I played the violin for 5 years and am on my second year of playing the harp. I would be happy to take part!Giselle

Øyvind Heilo•recently•edited

Thank you so much for your responses! I'm still in the beginning of my work, but will contact you with further information as soon as things are starting to take form.regardsØyvind

Rob B•recently•edited

Hello Øyvind,I found out about aphantasia last year. I have it.I'm a self taught musician. I play acoustic guitar and bass.I'd be happy to take part.Rob

Andrea Benoit•recently•edited

I only found out today that aphantasia is even a thing, and I'm pretty sure I have it! I have a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance and also play piano well and other instruments not very well. I'd be interested in being a part of your study if you need it!

Killian Gillespie•recently•edited

Hi,I've only just found out about my Aphantasia yesterday, so this is all quite new to me. I always thought people were talking about their minds eye figuratively! Anyway, I play guitar and I'm self-taught. I wanted to learn it one day so I decided to start building a guitar from parts I ordered online. I'm happy to do a quiz or answer any questions you have.Thanks,Killian Gillespie

Øyvind Heilo•recently•edited

Thanks for the reply Ian!The bachelor is still in it's infancy and the deadline is end of May.I'm not quite sure where it is taking me, I'm still in the process of fleshing out the basic details to be presented for the University. My plan is to make a questionare or survey of some sort and would be delighted if you would take the time to answer my questions. I will keep you informed on this thread in the near future about the how the project is evolving! Please ask any question!Regardsøyvind Heilo

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Victoria Blue•recently•edited

Judith DeWitt•recently•edited

Hello Øyvind,Anything further on your research?

Lewis Duggan•recently•edited

Judith DeWitt•recently•edited

Giselle Ihrig•recently•edited

Øyvind Heilo•recently•edited

Thank you so much for your responses! I'm still in the beginning of my work, but will contact you with further information as soon as things are starting to take form.regardsØyvind

Rob B•recently•edited

Hello Øyvind,I found out about aphantasia last year. I have it.I'm a self taught musician. I play acoustic guitar and bass.I'd be happy to take part.Rob

Andrea Benoit•recently•edited

Killian Gillespie•recently•edited

Øyvind Heilo•recently•edited