Plato said, “I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning.” Scientists seem to agree. Scientists have discovered much about how music affects the brain and where in the brain all of this is happening. The research is an ongoing process, and it is fascinating what is going on up there.
Most of us non-scientists also agree that music can affect us in different ways. We’ve always been firm believers that music can help with learning, studying, or just getting motivated to do something: clean your room? music! settle down for story time? music! family fun run? music!
Keep this detailed infographic handy from OnlineColleges.net, because it explains what’s happening in the brain whenever music shows up in your life.
If you want that infographic spelled out a little more clearly, read about it here, which offers up the intriguing question: Are musicians automatically smarter than astrophysicists, just because the musicians heard Mozart? Hmmmm….
Musicians themselves really ought to chime in, too, yes? Turn to TED Talks! WQXR, True Fire, and Bachelor’s Degree provide a nice roundup of lectures for you to watch. (Gentle warning: watching TED Talks can easily take over your entire day…….!)
Bob McGrath of Sesame Street fame has been making music for more than 40 years. Listen to this podcast as Bob, together with his daughter, discusses his work with Sesame Street, which has always placed a heavy emphasis on music as a tool for learning.
We wouldn’t have made it through school without music. What about you?
