What skill does "audiation" primarily enhance?

Audiation refers to the cognitive process of hearing and understanding music in one’s mind without the presence of a physical sound. This skill allows individuals to mentally create and manipulate musical ideas, much like one engages in internal dialogue or visualizes images. By enhancing the ability to process and interpret music mentally, audiation fosters deeper musical comprehension and creativity.

In the context of music education, audiation is pivotal for musicians as it enables them to internalize melodies, harmonies, and rhythms, promoting a more profound connection with the music they perform or compose. As a result, this mental processing is foundational for skills such as improvisation, composition, and even interpreting sheet music, allowing musicians to visualize music before physically engaging with it.