Learning Music as an ISTJ Personality Type

I’ve done the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) multiple times over the years and each time it comes back ISTJ. Here’s a description I got from Psychology Junkie:

I = Introversion. ISTJs focus inwards before responding to the outside world. They gain energy from alone time when they can reflect on their own thoughts.
S = Sensation. ISTJs prefer taking in information that is tangible, realistic, and concrete. They would usually rather focus on what exists than hypothesize about abstract possibilities.
T = Thinking. ISTJs step outside of a situation in order to see it as objectively and logically as possible.
J = Judgment. ISTJs like having things settled, having decisions made, and having a sense of control or structure to their life. They are typically work-before-play people.

I can see why an ISTJ might be drawn to playing traditional music. ISTJs seek security in the tried and true and what music is more tried and true than traditional music? It’s a form of creative expression that merges an ISTJ's appreciation for structure with artistic output. It rewards discipline and attention to detail.

Traditional music sessions are not really performances. You can kind of blend in. You don’t have to be in the limelight like a lead vocalist or soloist would be. The music itself as well as the session environment adheres to established forms and conventions, providing a sense of familiarity and comfort and a place where you get to put the knowledge and skills you’ve learned to good use. These are all things that would appeal to an ISTJ type of person.

ISTJs are independent learners and traditional music is something you can easily work on on your own, especially if you are melody player since the monophonic nature of the music makes the tune “complete” even when only one instrument is playing the melody. When it comes to practicing, our ability to focus and maintain concentration for long periods of time comes in handy. An ISTJ has the time and dedication to do a deep dive while researching and studying a topic. ISTJs will put their “all” into it.

There’s also the theory and math-like aspect to music. A typical traditional musician may not get into the theory side of it, but I bet an ISTJ could explain what Dorian or Mixolydian are, for example. In terms of creativity, tune writing is not always a big part of the individual experience of learning traditional music, but an ISTJ can use the established framework of traditional music to be adaptively creative and write original tunes that conform to the conventions of the style.

OK. That might explain it. As an aside, I was entirely focused on writing this piece and could not stop until I got it done. Now that it's done I can move on to the next project!

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