Keywords
playing music, music, brain, instruments, musicians and brain functioning
Disciplines
Neurology
Abstract
There is little doubt that music plays an important role in cultures all over the world and is an interconnected piece of every society. More specifically, actively engaging in the music by playing a musical instrument, particularly at a young age, has been a hot topic in neuroscience in recent decades. Playing a musical instrument has been shown to increase cognitive ability through enhanced neuronal communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, resulting in positive effects on learning, memory, fine motor skills, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, resulting in an overall more capable brain to apply in a multitude of settings. The current research and results are discussed, ultimately showing the importance of engaging children in instrument lessons of any kind to enhance the network of neuronal connections developing in the brain.
Recommended Citation
Stoklosa, Anne R.. "Instruments of Knowledge: Music and the Brain." The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research 17 (2016): -. Web. [date of access]. <https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/ur/vol17/iss1/12>.