I may be the least musical person you’ve ever encountered.  And that’s something I’ve long regretted.  Now comes evidence deepening that regret, but offering a way for my kids to become more whole-minded than their dad.

ScienceNow reports that Harvard’s Gottfried Schlaug and Boston College’s Ellen Winner and Marie Forgeard have used brain scans to produce the best proof yet that “taking music lesson can strengthen connections between the two hemispheres of the brain.”  One caveat:  The connections emerge only among those who practiced at least 2.5 hours per week. 

6 Responses to “A whole new reason to hit the keyboard”

  1. Charles says:
    April 17, 2008 at 4:40 pm

    While playing classical piano in high school, I did not think much of the difficulty in right and left hand cordination, since I had been playing for over a decade. Returing to the piano after a ten year layoff, I now realize how difficult this skill can be. It is definetly good training for a whole brain activity.

    You may also find this article by Dr. Shannon Moffett indicating that a nap after learning a new skill helps the brain to retain that skill (http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/03/24/sleep-tetris-memory-and-the-brain/).

    Before reading you book, I had never heard of a “Mini-Saga”. I have also made a few humble attempts at this skill: http://mini-sagasbycharles.blogspot.com/

    Enjoy and keep up the good work. Your book has been very helpful.

    Charles

  2. Judd6149 says:
    April 20, 2008 at 3:31 am

    I was just thinking about this today. The learning of the instrument is so linear, but what you can create with the ability is so abstract. Flow versus form. One time I stepped up on stage in a bar to sing with a band. The guitarist asked me “what key I sang in”. Damned if I knew. I was ready to rip into the song never mind what key it was in. I need to get my L in gear to learn how to play guitar so my R can reek creative havoc. “It’s the singer not the song, that music the music move along…”

  3. Danny Rocks says:
    May 1, 2008 at 11:20 am

    Thank you for writing on this topic. I was a professional musician many years ago. However, I stopped playing for many years – for a variety of reasons. Now that I work out of my home office, I have been able to resume playing the piano for my own enjoyment – 45 minutes each day that I am home.

    Since I have resumed playing music I have noticed several benefits. Besides helping to reduce my stress level, I have found that I listen better; my speaking voice has improved – I employ a greater vocal range and utilize the power of the pause; my story-telling skills have improved – music is drama. There is a constant interplay of tension and release.

    It is never too late for anyone to start to play music. Nor is it too early to start your children. Making music has helped me to improve the connection between my right and left brain hemispheres. It has helped me to become more “well-rounded.”

  4. Jason Smith says:
    June 20, 2008 at 2:32 pm

    I have often wondered about the similarities between the discipline and creativity found in music and sports. As someone who grew up participating in both of those pursuits I couldn’t help but notice the often huge differences between those who participated in each. Do you know of research that suggests participation in sports also strengthens the connection between the two hemispheres of the brain?

  5. Robert Wright says:
    June 20, 2009 at 12:48 am

    I thoroughly found Dan’s keynote at Neocon Chicago very thought provoking and entertaining. Thanks Neocon and Dan for being there.

  6. Monica says:
    February 13, 2010 at 1:27 am

    As the 6th grade G/T teacher at our school, one day I was complaining to my colleagues, “One of these days I’m going break my neck tripping over all of these dratted instruments in my classroom!”
    They looked at me strangely and asked, “Well, how many instruments do you have anyway?”
    “All of my kids take band or orchestra except for three that study piano at home.”
    Whereas, they only had 5 or 6 instruments to contend with, I had at least 15 instruments lying around for me to maim or injure myself trying to navigate my classroom.
    I often wonder, do my gifted students gravitate to studying music or has music significantly impacted their capacity for learning?

    Jason, regarding your sports musing, check out brain-based learning and cognitive development at http://www.howardgardner.com/
    Dr. Gardner is the premiere expert in this area.