Prolog

Does excessive music practicing have addiction potential?

“…In the past, several researchers investigating musical expertise developed theories to explain the disciplined and self-devoting behavior of a professional musician in terms of practice habits (Burzik, 2002, 2007; de La Motte-Haber, 1985; Hallam, Cross, & Thaut, 2009; Kemp, 2004; Klöppel & Altenmüller, 2013; Lehmann & Oerter, 2011; Mahlert, 2007; Woody & McPherson, 2012). Professional musicians commit themselves to practicing and invest great amounts of time, effort, and often money into their music although the reward is mostly immaterial: A recent large sample study reveals the alarmingly poor living conditions of musicians even in economically strong and stable countries like Germany (Renz, 2016).…”