Playing a Musical Instrument how it ' s good for your brain
ADITI SARAWAGI
Neuroscientists have made enormous breakthroughs in understanding how our brains work by monitoring them in real time . Research has shown that when the brain listens to music , various parts of the brain become active but when one plays music or creates music or plays an instrument , various parts of the brain start working which are otherwise not used as much . Almost all parts of the brain are used at once including visual , auditory , and motor cortices which amounts to a full brain workout !
The brain ’ s corpus callosum , the bridge between the two hemispheres also sees increase in the volume and activity when playing music . This allows messages to get across the brain faster . Research shows that musician ’ s brains are wired differently than non-musicians . According to Dr . Gottfried Schlaug , a Harvard University neurologist , the two hemispheres of the brain work better together in case of musicians since their corpus callosum is bigger due to increased activity in the brain . This is said to change the way the brain works and can make learning easier . Thus , the earlier a child begins some sort of musical training , the better his learning abilities will be .
Musical training benefits a child ’ s brain development in such a way that will affect not only his childhood but his entire lifespan . It improves brain power to be more creative as well . New research is coming up everyday linking musical training with improved brain function as the creation of music skyrockets brain activity .
According to Dr . Anita Collins , Assistant Professor of Music and Arts Education at the University of Canberra in Australia , the act of playing an instrument literally transforms the brain . For example , while playing an instrument , multiple areas of the brain are engaged for reading the music , keep time , maintain the tempo and ensure hand , eye , muscle co-ordination .
The benefits of increased brain activity are enormous . It allows musicians to solve problems more efficiently and in innovative ways , not only in academic but also in social settings .
Music can increase concentration and improve hand-eye coordination as well .
Studies show that the analytic left side and the creative right side of people who create music have a greater connection and more communication . This has many benefits including faster communication within the brain and even problem solving abilities are said to be improved . Research shows that children who start learning at a young age benefit more than late starters .
People with musical training are also said to better at making decisions , processing information , memorising and retaining data . Some researchers also say that playing an instrument has also proven to be beneficial in helping children evolve from neurological problems .
A study from Germany , recently deduced that second standard students who spent 45 minutes a week learning a musical instrument , remembered more words and lessons taught to them than those children who didn ’ t . This goes on to show that making music boosts memory power too especially working memory which is the ability to temporarily store and use information which helps in learning a lesson or completing a task .
Music is not only about reading notes and playing the correct chords but it also affects the brain emotionally as musical training increases the brain ’ s capacity to detect emotions in sound . Understanding emotional connotations and reading between the lines is easier for musicians and hence could help one in maintaining smoother relationships . Children suffering from autism could also benefit from such training if music helps in bridging emotional gaps .
The Score Magazine
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