NEUROLOGY: THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Learning to play a musical instrument produces such profound changes in childrens brains that kids actually can hear and process sounds they couldnt hear otherwise, according to researchers using high-tech sensors. The findings, published Tuesday, could provide a boost to music education programs that invite kids to play instruments rather than simply listen to music. The study, by researchers at Northwestern University, examined a community music program serving low-income children in Los Angeles. They attached special electrodes to childrens scalps and measured how their brains responded to sounds. The childrens average age was about 8. Researchers found that those who played an instrument for two years showed a stronger neurophysiological distinction between certain sounds than children who didnt get the instrumental training. For instance, the music-makers more easily could tell the difference between the words bill and pill, a key skill in learning to read. USA TODAY LINK: usatoday/story/news/nation/2014/09/02/brain-neurology-research-music/14985969/
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 16:26:06 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015