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The benefits of music lessons – Part 3

Part 3 Success in Developing Intelligence

In Part 2 of this series we examined how music lessons can contribute to the success of your child in school and academics in general. Today we will look at some studies which show that music lessons play a direct role in increased intelligence levels and overall thinking ability. Success in society and success in school can probably be traced back to this root effect – music lessons are good for the brain. Here are some studies which show a direct correlation between music lessons and I.Q.

According to Norm Weinberger, in his article, “The Impact of Arts on Learning.”, a Piano players’ brain can perform skilled movements more efficiently than untrained brains. According to Weinberger, “In a study conducted by Dr. Timo Krings, pianists and non-musicians of the same age and sex were required to perform complex sequences of finger movements. Their brains were scanned using a technique called “functional magnetic resource imaging” (fMRI) which detects the activity levels of brain cells. The non-musicians were able to make the movements as correctly as the pianists, but less activity was detected in the pianists’ brains. Thus, compared to non-musicians, the brains of pianists are more efficient at making skilled movements. These findings show that musical training can enhance brain function.”

If you think about the number of mental processes which go on for say, a Piano player playing an average piece of music, it’s quite incredible. The number of sub-conscious and semi-conscious decisions require an enormous amount of multi-tasking on the fly. Changes to tempo, rhythm, tone, volume, style, phrasing, finger positioning, not to mention turning pages and pushing multiple pedals with your foot at intervals, all combining to produce a sound that is coherent and beautiful – is quite a mental feat. According to John J. Ratey, MD. in his book, A User’s Guide to the Brain, “Dedicated practice of this orchestration can have a great payoff for lifelong attentional skills, intelligence, and an ability for self-knowledge and expression.”

According to a group of scientists, (to no surprise of any parents), “A research team exploring the link between music and intelligence reported that music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children’s abstract reasoning skills, the skills necessary for learning math and science.” (Shaw, Rauscher, Levine, Wright, Dennis and Newcomb, “Music training causes long-term enhancement of preschool children’s spatial-temporal reasoning,” Neurological Research)

There are many other studies which have demonstrated what these shown have: Music is good for the brain. Playing music as a form of artistic expression is healthy and increases brain activity, efficiency, and creativity, as well as fostering discipline, healthy and independent imaginative skills when it comes to all areas of life. Your child will have a greater chance of success if you make music a part of their life from a young age.

 

To sign up for Piano lessons, either email us ([email protected]), call us (971-227-4222), or use the contact form on our website. We will answer any further questions you have, and based on your address will recommend a teacher in your area. We will have the teacher contact you (usually the same day) and set up a free first lesson. After the free first lesson, if you decide you like the teacher, we will send you your billing information by email.

The Musicality Network is a Portland, Oregon based network of private music teachers, teaching a wide variety of instruments including Piano lessons, Guitar lessons, Drum lessons, Violin lessons, Voice lessons, and more! Our teachers can drive to your house, and we service the entire Portland Metro Area, including Vancouver, Clackamas, Troutdale, Gresham, Tigard, Beaverton, Tualatin, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Oregon City and more!

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