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It absolutely can be developed, and relies on a physiological skill called "audiation." Audiation is a word invented by Edwin E. Gordon, and it refers to the ability to hear music inside your head. People who have highly developed "ears" have great audiation skills. Gordon invented a standardized test to measure audiation, the PMMA (Primary Measure of Music Audiation) and the SMMA (Secondary Measure of Music Audiation).
Audiation is the only explanation for Beethoven's ability to compose while deaf, or Mozart's ability to compose orchestral works while riding in a buggy. It also explains why jazz musicians play circles around everybody else even though they usually don't have formal training.
The more you listen to quality music, the more you improve your audiation skills. As a test, sing "Happy Birthday" to yourself inside your head right now.
Did you hear one voice or harmony voices?
Was it a capella or did you hear accompaniment?
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Living is easy with eyes closed.
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