The Magic of Music

By John Roberts

PART 1: An Anecdote

When my half-brother was nine years old, my parents were worried about his academic success and overall mental health. His mother felt that he was impulsive and displayed poor focus. He often fidgeted in class and showed little interest in most academic subjects. His grades were poor despite having a private tutor and being allotted extra time for homework and exams. He seemed resigned to mediocrity.

They decided to have him evaluated by a psychiatrist with expertise in ADHD. He went through a series of psycho-educational assessments and it was determined that he had mild to moderate ADHD. One night, I overheard my father and step-mother discussing next steps. Inevitably this included supplying my little brother with psychostimulants like Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, etc. I was strongly opposed to this course of action and began to intervene. I nagged my father incessantly, explaining the negative effects of psychostimulants. Finally, he relented. No amphetamine for the kid – success!

Around the same time this was happening, my brother began piano lessons. You see, both my father and step-mother are professional musicians, so naturally they would want him following in the same vein. My father didn’t tell him directly, but he confided in me that he probably wouldn’t make it as a professional pianist. But to our surprise, around 12 years old, he suddenly changed drastically: his grades and behavior both improved. He got accepted in a prestigious independent school and became near virtuosic in his piano playing. My father suspects the music instruction was the culprit of his turn around. His hypothesis peaked my interest. Could the simple act of practicing an instrument be responsible for total 360? I dug into the research to see what science had to say. The next section summarizes my findings.

PART 2: The Research (10 benefits of music instruction)

1. Musical training helps develop language and reasoning: 

Students who have early musical training will develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. The left side of the brain is better developed with music, and songs can help imprint information on young minds.

2. A mastery of memorization: 

Even when performing with sheet music, student musicians are constantly using their memory to perform. The skill of memorization can serve students well in education and beyond.

3. Students learn to improve their work: 

Learning music promotes craftsmanship, and students learn to want to create good work instead of mediocre work. This desire can be applied to all subjects of study.

4. Increased coordination: 

Students who practice with musical instruments can improve their hand-eye coordination. Just like playing sports, children can develop motor skills when playing music.

5. A sense of achievement: 

Learning to play pieces of music on a new instrument can be a challenging, but achievable goal. Students who master even the smallest goal in music will be able to feel proud of their achievement.

6. Kids stay engaged in school: 

An enjoyable subject like music can keep kids interested and engaged in school. Student musicians are likely to stay in school to achieve in other subjects.

7. Success in society: 

Music is the fabric of our society, and music can shape abilities and character. Students in band or orchestra are less likely to abuse substances over their lifetime. Musical education can greatly contribute to children’s intellectual development as well.

8. Emotional development: 

Students of music can be more emotionally developed, with empathy towards other cultures. They also tend to have higher self-esteem and are better at coping with anxiety.

9. Students learn pattern recognition: 

Children can develop their math and pattern-recognition skills with the help of musical education. Playing music offers repetition in a fun format.

10. Better SAT scores: 

Students who have experience with music performance or appreciation score higher on the SAT. One report indicates 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on math for students in music appreciation courses.

Considering the substantial benefits, music should not be treated as a luxury or sidelined for the more practical STEM subjects. And as you think about how to help your children prioritize their lives, encourage them to pick up an instrument. It is truly an activity which enhances the whole person and stays with you for life.

John Roberts is an instructional designer and e-learning specialist who graduated with an MA in educational technology at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. He currently resides in Vancouver and is developing a taste for kombucha, hiking and Patagonia outerwear