Music and Learning: Does Music Make You Smarter?

Abstract

What is music and why do people think it is important for learning?Musical sounds fill our lives: from the music you share online tothe songs playing in shops and restaurants, we are rarely far frommusic. Playing music gives the brain a multisensory “workout” thatcan strengthen memory, help us pay attention, and perhaps evenimprove reading ability. In this article, we highlight how various brainfunctions, including hearing, sight, movement, and social awareness,are impacted by music training. You do not have to be a Mozart toget the brain benefit of playing music, because music is so accessibleand is more than just songs. Whenever you communicate withoutwords (the way you say something instead of what you say) you areengaging in musical behavior. In this article, we explore research onlearning and music to help us understand why music promotes braindevelopment and how music can be a central part of our lives, in andout of the classroom.