ABSTRACT
Our sensory experience is rich in auditory stimulation. One of the most powerful auditory experiences is that of music. The musical experience can be generated not only externally but also internally in the form of musical imagery. In this chapter, first, I introduce the concept of musical imagery and then I formulate a novel framework about musical imagery and its occurrence at three temporal points in relation to music: before, during, and after music composition, playing, and listening. The framework will help to understand musical imagery in its various forms and its relation to other cognitive systems such as creativity, learning, expectations, action planning, and everyday spontaneous and voluntary cognition. Empirical findings at each temporal point indicate the relation between musical imagery and musicianship as well as the functional outcome of musical imagery. A deeper understanding of musical imagery is crucial for practical reasons, such as harnessing its power in pedagogical and health settings, as well as for revealing what music and being a musical human being mean.
