Music and the Mind

The composer Alexander Borodin earned his living not through his music, but as a professor of chemistry. But he’s not an isolated case.

It’s quite common for people who are gifted in the sciences to also have an interest in music.  Some examples are the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras; Albert Einstein, who played the violin; actuary/composer Charles Ives; and Augusta Ada Byron, the harp-playing daughter of Lord Byron  known as the “Founder of Scientific Computing.”

It could be that such people are simply naturally talented in both subjects.  This wouldn’t be surprising, because both science and music are largely based on mathematics.

However, it’s just as likely that musical training contributes to learning and excellence in other subjects.  In fact, study after study proves it.  Early musical training has been shown to increase gray matter and improve communication between the two halves of the brain.

Musical training:

• Improves memory.
• Leads to better SAT and other test scores in both verbal and mathematical ability.
• Is associated with in statistically higher GPA’s.
• Results in a greater chance of receiving academic honors and awards.

In light of all this, it’s mystifying why schools continue to cut “extras” such as music in order to focus on the “basics” like math and reading.  If those in charge would only look at the data, they’d add more hours of music instruction to our children’s school week, instead of less!