As we’ve seen before, learning to play a musical instrument can have a strong positive effect on the brain. For example, audible comprehension in accomplished music-makers is notably more acute than in less skilled individuals. But what effect does music have on the brain when we simply listen to it?
When you hear music, there is a lot going on in your head. Researchers have found that as you process the rhythm and modulating tone, sections of your brain responsible for language, memory, and motor control are stimulated.
What does this mean for learning? Some have proposed that there is a direct correlation between listening to a particular type of music and performance in cognitive function. One of the most famous examples of this is the “Mozart Effect”. Essentially, the term describes a briefly observed improvement in spatial-temporal reasoning after listening to the relaxing sounds of Mozart’s compositions.
Some, however, attribute this increase in performance to “enjoyment arousal”- basically, the sounds cause pleasure, which lead to a state of mildly enhanced cognitive ability. Nonetheless, the countering results have not stopped a monsoon of interest, including several parallel studies and even proposed legislation to provide schoolchildren with classical music recordings.
Regardless of the true power of the “Mozart Effect”, current research is in support of the use of music as a learning aid when the music in question employs a slow-tempo and non-percussive tonality (such as a Mozart sonata).
Anyone who needs to learn something should consider music to be another tool to employ where necessary. Perhaps classical is a good counter to construction happening next door, or perhaps the rhythms of jazz can be the right fit for memorizing key terms. Experiment and try to find the best fit for you.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Dec 15, 2009
Mar 9, 2009
Benefits of Learning An Instrument
If the game Guitar Hero has taught us anything, it’s that being a rock star is fun. The fame and fortune are nice, but anyone who is all about the music loves that feeling of nailing the song perfectly or ripping out a screaming solo. And while playing videogames with plastic instruments can be entertaining, few things are as satisfying as actually playing an instrument.
Making music is one of the oldest and most hallowed traditions practiced. One of the reasons for this is that it is simply very pleasurable, not only for the musician, but for all those within earshot as well. When undertaking the process of learning how to play a new instrument, it is crucial to remember to keep it fun. The dedication and hard work needed to master music making will come much more easily if you look forward to the process. For this reason, pick an instrument that interests you. If you like Heavy Metal, try the guitar. If you’re into Jazz, give the piano a shot. Playing the music you like to listen to is a surefire way to stay interested as you progress.
Another great reason to learn an instrument is that it makes you smarter. Studies have proven that musicians have significantly more acute listening and audible comprehension skills. This is important for a variety of reasons, especially when considering that the majority of learning occurs by listening to oral lectures.
Creativity is yet another benefit. Self-expression through music is a fantastic way to relax and relieve stress, and the pathways in the brain that riffing or jamming open up could cross over to many other unexpected areas.
Finally, being able to play an instrument could pay off financially. For example, there are individuals who helped pay for textbooks in college by performing at gigs with bands they met at school. You could also teach someone else how to play and pass on what you’ve learned (for a small fee, of course).
Being able to play an instrument is a skill that can be learned at any point in life, and the benefits will stick with you as long as you keep practicing. And if you happen to make it big, well, that’s not that bad either.
Making music is one of the oldest and most hallowed traditions practiced. One of the reasons for this is that it is simply very pleasurable, not only for the musician, but for all those within earshot as well. When undertaking the process of learning how to play a new instrument, it is crucial to remember to keep it fun. The dedication and hard work needed to master music making will come much more easily if you look forward to the process. For this reason, pick an instrument that interests you. If you like Heavy Metal, try the guitar. If you’re into Jazz, give the piano a shot. Playing the music you like to listen to is a surefire way to stay interested as you progress.
Another great reason to learn an instrument is that it makes you smarter. Studies have proven that musicians have significantly more acute listening and audible comprehension skills. This is important for a variety of reasons, especially when considering that the majority of learning occurs by listening to oral lectures.
Creativity is yet another benefit. Self-expression through music is a fantastic way to relax and relieve stress, and the pathways in the brain that riffing or jamming open up could cross over to many other unexpected areas.
Finally, being able to play an instrument could pay off financially. For example, there are individuals who helped pay for textbooks in college by performing at gigs with bands they met at school. You could also teach someone else how to play and pass on what you’ve learned (for a small fee, of course).
Being able to play an instrument is a skill that can be learned at any point in life, and the benefits will stick with you as long as you keep practicing. And if you happen to make it big, well, that’s not that bad either.
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