The Spanish adaptation and validation of the Goldsmiths Musical Sophistication Index

The Goldsmiths Musical Sophistication Index (Gold-MSI) measures a wide range of musical skills and behaviors in the general adult population, regardless of formal training or musical expertise. Although the inventory has been translated and validated in multiple languages, a Spanish version is lacking. This study presents the Spanish adaptation and validation of the Gold-MSI, based on a preregistered protocol and a sample of 539 Spanish-speaking adults. Participants completed the translated inventory alongside sociodemographic and personality measures, with a subsample (n = 250) completing a retest. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original bifactor structure, with fit indices closely matching previous validations. Internal consistency (α ~ .80) and test–retest reliability (r ~ .85) were high for most subscales and the general factor. The Gold-MSI effectively distinguished individuals with extensive musical training and expertise from those with limited or no training. Musical sophistication was positively associated with openness to experience, extraversion, and, among younger participants, with family socioeconomic status. The Spanish Gold-MSI demonstrated strong psychometric properties, supporting its use in Spanish-speaking populations and enabling future cross-cultural research on musical behavior.