The Benefits of Music Education

Your Brain on Music

Playing music engages nearly every part of the brain at once, especially the visual, auditory and motor cortices. Practicing music regularly strengthens those brain functions, benefitting the musician even when they do not have an instrument in hand.

Music Education Helps with Problem Solving

Playing an instrument uses fine motor skills, mathematical, and linguistic processes in both left and right hemispheres of the brain. This increases activity in the corpus callosum, the bridge that connects the two hemispheres. This improves the messages being sent in the brain, making them faster. This allows musicians to solve problems more creatively and effectively.

Music Improves Focus, Memory And Emotional Skills

Musicians often have higher levels of executive function because creating music involves crafting its emotional content and message. Executive functions are mental skills that involve memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. They are interlinked tasks that require analysis of cognitive and emotional aspects that involve planning, strategizing, and attention to detail. This leads to better focus, memory, and emotional skills.

Why is Music Education Important?

Now that we understand how music improves brain function and development, how does that improve us as people?

Music Lessons Improve Self-confidence And Self-esteem

Consistent practices make the musician feel accomplished. It is incredibly empowering to see and hear the progress made by the musician.

Music improves communication by teaching different ways to express oneself. It also improves language skills by strengthening those areas of the brain. It takes practice to follow along with the tempos, melodies, and timing of the music. These skills greatly improve conversational listening skills too. This leads musicians to be able to have more intricate and diverse conversations. 

Music nurtures the creative side in all of us

It encourages innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, which helps with problem-solving. The creativity sparked by music has countless emotional benefits, such as reduced anxiety, stress, and depression. 

Musical Training Gives A Sense Of Belonging

Each instrument in an orchestra works together to create a masterpiece – the same is for musicians in the musical community. There is a deep connection built when a student learns an instrument. Music helps to develop teamwork skills. 

There are hundreds of benefits of music education. Learning music opens the doors to a better self. It creates passionate and empathetic people. Musicians have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the complexities of life. The qualities of a musician translate to stronger and healthier communities.

These are just a few of the reasons why we are music and arts education advocates.