Music and Genetics

The first part of this review provides a brief historical background of behavior genetic research and how twin and genotype data can be utilized to study genetic influences on individual differences in human behavior. We then review the field of music genetics, from its emergence to large scale twin studies and the recent, first molecular genetic studies of music-related traits. In the second part of the review, we discuss the wider utility of twin and genotype data beyond estimating heritability and gene-finding. We present four examples of music studies that utilized genetically informative samples to analyze causality and gene-environmental interplay for music skills. Overall, research in the field of music genetics has gained much momentum over the last decade and its findings highlight the importance of studying both environmental and genetic factors and particularly their interplay, paving the way for exciting and fruitful times to come. •Individual differences in music-related traits have a considerable genetic basis (with an average heritability of 42%).•Recent molecular genetic research shows that this genetic influence includes many genetic variants, each with a small effect.•There is considerable genetic overlap between different music-related traits.•Behavior genetic research showed that the acquisition of (musical) expertise includes a complex interplay between genes and environment.•Associations between music engagement and various outcomes have a substantial genetic component, reflecting genetic pleiotropy.•Associations between musical childhood environment (including start of practice) and adult expertise depend on gene-environment interplay.