Why Musicians Are More Successful in School | She Scribes

A number of studies have shown students engaged in learning a musical instrument are more successful in school. It?s also no surprise that musicians develop keen hand-eye coordination that translates notes into rhythmic sounds. The sounds must be precise in pitch, tone and duration. Playing the correct note at the right time with the right quality requires practice and self-discipline. So what are some of main the factors contributing to better performance from musically inclined students?

Intelligence

Over the years, studies have shown learning music can increase ability to recognize patterns, strengthen memory, improve focus and even improve confidence. The most impressive results are seen in younger students during critical phases of intelligence development. It seems the affect music has on still-forming minds is even greater.

Parenting Science.com confirms our observation with a study by Dr. Gwen Dewar copyrighted in 2008-2011. She cites a 2005 study by Schluag that used brain scanning technology to reveal significantly more grey matter in sensorimotor and occipital lobes of 9- to 11-year-old children who played musical instruments. In recent years, brain researchers have linked the density of gray matter to increased neural activity, cognition and intelligence.

Cognitive Reasoning

Cognition involves the ability to pay attention, remember things and solve problems. Evidence is becoming more and more conclusive that musical training greatly enhances cognitive abilities in children. For example, the Schellenberg study in 2006 found that?musicians outperformed non-musicians on a variety of cognitive tests. A study by Fujioka et al found that musically trained students ages 4 to 6 outperformed non-trained students in memory tests.

Other research revealed that musically-trained students performed better on reading, math, vocabulary and verbal tests. Clearly, musical training gives students an advantage.

Self-Discipline and Teamwork

Music training provides daily practice in developing self-discipline. The student sets the goal for every practice session and works to accomplish it. The same diligence applied to other subjects causes music students to be more successful than students who do not have musical training?

Additionally, the student recognizes that he or she is a part of a team that must work together to produce a balancing and blending of sounds to produce music. Self-discipline and teamwork are qualities that produce results throughout life.

Music Provides a Sense of Achievement

Band and orchestra students are provided opportunities to achieve new goals every day. Although teamwork is a priority, students have the opportunity to compete with each other and other musical groups. A sense of achievement is accomplished when students win in competitions. These accomplishments build the students? confidence and self-esteem.

Patience and Determination

The most valuable lessons that musicians learn are patience and determination. There are a million squeaks in a clarinet reed before the music begins. Although beginners hear better sounds from other instruments, they, too, must have patience and determination. Regardless how long it takes, musicians develop the necessary qualities to succeed.

The advantages provided by music training are not subjective. Increased intelligence and cognition improvement are supported by scientific research. Self-discipline, teamwork, patience and determination are valuable traits. Every parent should learn about the availability of the?music lessons in Phoenix, Los Angeles, or whichever city they live in.

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Source: http://www.shescribes.com/2012/08/why-musicians-are-more-successful-in-school.html

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