Learning music benefits your brain!

I recently came across this TED Ed video on YouTube where the description states “When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout. What’s going on? Anita Collins explains the fireworks that go off in musicians’ brains when they play, and examines some of the long-term positive effects of this mental workout.”

When I was discussing this theory with my friends one asked me an obvious question; “Do you think that your pupils who do well in their piano exams also get good results in other school subjects?” After thinking for a few moments, I had to answer “Normally, yes!”

These students are much more hardworking and responsible. Music teaches them to be organized and work in a systematic manner.

I have not collected any statistical evidence to back up my answer, but all teachers have an overview of how well their pupils do in all of their exams not just in the subjects they teach. My feeling is that my pupils who excel in their piano exams also do well in other subject’s exams.

The video below might give you some insights in to why this might be.