People listen to music. Whether we are driving to school, lounging at home, or at a party, we’re most likely hearing some type of music. Can music be beneficial to our intellect and health?

Scientific research has shown that learning an instrument can increase our IQ by somewhere around 7 points. Even playing an instrument for a few months can make big changes to the brain. Hearing, sight, memory, and hands become more active making them stronger. We become more coordinated and the way we think improves. The best part is that we can start learning an instrument whenever we like. We learn responsibility as taking care of an instrument is no easy task. Being exposed to all the genres of music (jazz, classical, country, etc.), teaches about the the history and culture of music. Playing an instrument is also fun so it relieves stress and anxiety. It will also keep our minds sharp as we age.

Children who play an instrument learn self-discipline, are more attentive, and are better at planning things. Even adults still gain benefits from learning an instrument. You have the advantage of listening to music over the years and the maturity required to learn an instrument which means that you may not be as compelled to play an instrument. Adults may an enjoy playing because they have the freedom of choice. Also playing an instrument increases the blood flow in the left hemisphere which is why there have also been studies that it is easier for musicians to learn a different language.

There are plenty of people who are either smart or very successful that have played an instrument before. Some examples are Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Neil Armstrong. Albert Einstein played violin and piano, Thomas Edison played piano, and Neil Armstrong played baritone horn.

Some personal experience of mine has proven that playing an instrument helps a lot. If you play an instrument I am part of a community, surrounded by people with the same interest as me, which makes me more social. Making friends and being a part of something could help with your health. It could be a way to stay away from depression. I play viola and it’s only been 3 years since I started, but I have met a lot of unique people.

I was just lucky enough to have a school that has a class where you can learn an instrument. If every school had a class for music it could change a lot of lives. As I stated before, all the things I learn from playing an instrument are for the better and make me a better person. If all schools had a music class so many kids would become better people.  

There are also researchers who say that playing an instrument makes us better at math, but that isn’t necessarily true. I already stated that playing an instrument does make a person smarter, but not specifically at math. Robert Slevc, assistant professor in the psychology department at the University of Maryland, states that maybe, “smart people are good at things.” A musician does not mathematical look at the music they are playing. At the same time though, musicians need to recognize patterns be creating fractions.

Let’s say you don’t want to learn an instrument, but you like listening to music. Of course, not all music will make them smarter, but there are studies that state that listening to Mozart’s music can improve the performance of mental task such as projects, chess, playing an instrument, etc. This is known as the Mozart Effect. At the same time though, research states that the mental boost may only last 10 to 15 minutes.

For pregnant people, it is even more beneficial to listen to Mozart, for the baby. They can stimulate brain growth, positively affect their emotional perceptions and attitudes, reduce level of stress, enhance language ability, social abilities and their academic skills. This can help improve the child’s life in the future.

Mozart may make a person smarter but listening to any music can do many other things. Scientist say that listening to music releases dopamine in the brain, which means us happy, which reduces stress and improves health. It is also said to be true that that listening to classical music before going to sleep, it makes it easier to fall asleep. Listening to music reduces depression. It can also strengthen your memory, which may be why it is a lot easier to memorize the lyrics to a song than a short passage.

There are also studies that state that listening to Mozart’s music doesn’t help (Sakuntabhai). 10 and 11-year old participants were tested in two controlled environments. One group listened to pop music while the other group listened to Mozart. The group the listened to pop music performed better at certain tasks because that’s the music they preferred. A similar test was performed on different age groups such as teens and 5-year old’s and there was no significant difference.

So, does playing or listening to music have its benefits? Absolutely yes! There is really no reason not to play an instrument.