There has been an abundance of scientific studies over the past 20 to 30 years on this topic. These studies support this statement. I recently have studied a similar topic in my masters program in educational technology and leadership. In this program we studied Mindsets. We compared fixed and growth mindsets. We also did this while studying creating significant learning environments to provide learners with authentic learning opportunities in a learning environment that provides learners with choice, ownership, and a voice with that authentic learning opportunity. This provides the learner the opportunity to make strong learning connections. Through meaningful learning connections and a growth mindset a learner grows there brain. An article from the NAIS or National Association of Independent Schools Winter (2008) states Inside the brain when we learn something neurons create new connections and the brain grows. The more you learn the more growth through these neuron connections. The NAIS article discusses a study where scientists studied animal brain development. In the study a group of animals was kept alone in cages. Another group was kept in an environment with other animals and toys. After the study scientists found the animals exposed to other animals and toys had more connections between nerve cells in their brains. Scientists found that those animals brains were 10% heavier than the animals kept alone in cages. Previously I mentioned fixed mindset and growth mindset. A fixed mindset backs down from challenges and deprives them self of learning opportunity in exchange for comfort. A growth mindset faces a challenge an strives to over come it. It is the challenge and the learning process of failure and overcoming those failures that creates meaningful learning connections and stimulates that neuron connection and brain growth. To learn more about growth and fixed mindset follow this link Growth Mindset and check out the book Mindset by Carol S. Dweck.
The Royal Conservatory published an Overview of Current Neuroscience Research titled The Benefits of Music Education. This publication is full of scientific study to back up the topic of this blog. I am just going to provide some highlights. The TRC (2014) provides a list of benefits to the brains of musically trained individuals. Musically trained brains have stronger neural connections, more gray matter, better information processing, higher IQ, better memory and attention, and better motor coordination. TRC (2014) provides other benefits to learning to play music are improved language abilities, increased emotional resilience, increased empathy, increased attention span and focus, and increased self confidence. TRC (2014) also discusses scientific proof provided by modern technologies such as functional magnetic resonance imaging or FMRI and electroencephalography or EEG. These technologies provide science with what is happening in the brain when it is exposed to music and learning music. Bergland (2014) discusses how Albert Einstein grew up in a musical house hold playing the violin starting at age six. Bergland (2014) goes on to discuss that Einstein commented how he could not imagine a life without music and how he daydreams in music and music is part of how he thinks.
Learning to play a music instrument is a commitment. It takes dedication and maturity. It is a process full of obstacles and challenges that must be overcome to reach your goals. It is through overcoming these challenges that we learn and grow. The benefits of playing a music instrument are profound and abundant.
Resources
Bergland, C. (2014, Jun. 25) Does Playing a Musical Instrument Make You Smarter? Psychology Today. The Athelets Way. Retrieved from. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201406/does-playing-musical-instrument-make-you-smarter
Dweck, Carol, S. (2016) Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Ballentine Books. New York, NY.
NAIS (2014) You Can Grow Your Intelligence. Retrieved from. https://www.nais.org/magazine/independent-school/winter-2008/you-can-grow-your-intelligence/#:~:text=Inside%20the%20cortex%20of%20the,tiny%20nerve%20cells%2C%20called%20neurons.&text=When%20you%20learn%20new%20things,more%20your%20brain%20cells%20grow.
TRC (2014) The Benefits of Music Education. The Royal Conservatory. Retrieved from. https://files.rcmusic.com//sites/default/files/files/RCM_MusicEducationBenefits.pdf
