It may come as a surprise to find out that people who perform well academically will often list music a hobby. So why does singing or performing a musical instrument make such a difference for a person?
Scientific studies have shown a distinct relationship between improved learning capability and music. Researchers believe that playing an instrument, including of course singing, appears to create what neuroscientists refer to as “neutral pathways” in the brain which enable the retrieval of new information.
What has just been discovered is that singing provides the perfect mixture of tranquilizers which soothe your nerves and lift your spirits, meaning that singing has both a calming as well as energising effect on people. It is thought that the joy associated with singing comes down to the endorphins (a type of hormone), released during the act, which in turn are associated with feelings of pleasure.
How can you use this knowledge to get results?
More than often, parents of academically high-achieving children will have put their children into music or singing lessons because they know their child will profit from a musically activated brain balance. Additionally, children who are seen as “disadvantaged”, have also shown a significant increase in their mental function as well as the development of their reading and language skills after learning to sing or taking up a musical instrument.
"While more affluent students do better in school than children from lower income backgrounds, we are finding that musical training can alter the nervous system to create a better learner and help offset this academic gap," says Dr. Nina Kraus, a neurobiologist at Northwestern University and presenter of the research at the American Psychological Association's 122nd Annual Convention.
According to this statement, musical training enhances the way a child’s nervous system processes sounds, boosting their memory and attention spans. In return, children seem to become more focused in the classroom and develop their communication skills.
In a separate study, Dr. Kraus’ team conducted a survey amongst college students, and found that students with more than five years of musical training, during elementary or high school, had improved neural responses to sounds in comparison to students who did not partake in any musical training.
In conclusion, singing or learning a musical instrument is a great way to promote the well-being and increase the potential of your brain!
AM4U Singing Studio’s “The Benefits of Singing” is a collection of a total of articles which each outline a core reason for taking up singing as a hobby or musical activity. Click here to see all articles in this series.
Comments