The present study investigated health locus of control, preventive behaviour and previous playing-related health problems of music students; 326 students of music (58% female, mean age 22 years) filled in the Locus of Control Inventory for Illness and Health (Lohaus and Schmitt, 1989) and the Epidemiological Questionnaire for Musicians (Spahn, 1998). It was shown that previous playing-related problems, being a string instrumentalist or a singer as well as high powerful others locus of control (LOC) and low external chance LOC, were predictive factors for the utilizing of preventive measures. It was not possible to confirm that a high internal LOC, in and of itself, furthers preventive behaviour. For prevention programmes at universities of music, it would seem important that previous health problems are actively ascertained at the commencement of the course of study, as they are an important point of departure for further, differentiated preventive counselling measures. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figures.)