Tag Archives: Music and Success

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Music and Memory: A Stronger Mind Through Music Education

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Music and memory; a topic that interests parents, care-givers, physicians, and educators. You have probably seen the video of elderly dementia patients listening to music and traveling back in time mentally to a place they previously couldn’t remember. Several studies support that music and memory are connected, most notably the recent ones outlined in the article here that outline how music aids in learning language, repairing damaged brain, and activating the auditory, motor and emotional regions of the brain.

My father had Alzheimer’s Disease, and I can tell you from first-hand experience that there is a connection between memory and music.  When I would go to his Alzheimer’s unit and play the piano or sing for him, he would draw closer to me. Sometimes he would even make eye contact and speak (this was in the later stages of his disease). The other residents on his floor would also come over and listen. They would appear more relaxed, and their anxiety would lessen whenever music was being played. Because of that experience, I have strongly campaigned for more music volunteers and listening programs for nursing homes and Alzheimer care units.

Music also assists with learning new languages. It is often found that when students sing the phrases they are trying to learn, their retention rate increases dramatically. This is because music activates parts of the brain known as the auditory cortices (on both sides of the brain). Listening involves the memory centers in the brain which assists with retention. When you incorporate a rhythmic movement, like tapping along with the music, your cerebellum becomes involved. All of this simultaneous action is excellent for the mind and it’s development.

Besides learning new languages, music can benefit many people suffering from brain injury. When neuroscience began mapping the brain while it was engaged in either listening or performing music, they discovered that music accesses and activates the systems of auditory perception, attention, memory, executive control, and motor control. It can drive complex patterns of interaction among them and repair damaged parts of the brain by increasing neuropathic activity. It’s kind of like a jump start for the damaged parts of the brain.

We have always enjoyed music, but now the benefits to music and memory are proving to be more than just enjoyable. Whether you want to give your child a leg up in math, science, or language; or you have a parent suffering from dementia, music can be a great gift.

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Music Education and Child Development

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Providing the highest echelon of music education is the goal at Nashville Music Academy. We strive to meet this goal because we know how important music lessons are in the lives of all our students, especially those from disadvantaged homes and others who must daily overcome physical and cognitive disabilities. As teachers, we have seen first-hand the benefits of music education in the form of self-confidence, reading and math ability, and social skills. The latter benefits are the cornerstones of every successful individual.

Northwestern University conducted a study where researchers “looked at the impact of music education on at-risk children’s nervous systems and found that music lessons could help them develop language and reading skills.” It was the first of it’s kind to document the positive influence of “after-school music education on the brains of disadvantaged children, as opposed to affluent children receiving private lessons.”

This is something that music educators have known for a long time. We see the growth of our students take place over a span of years; sometimes from Kindergarten to College. In the aforementioned study, “researchers from the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory at Northwestern spent two summers with children in Los Angeles who were receiving music lessons through Harmony Project, a non-profit organization providing free music education to low-income students.” The first thing that the researchers discovered was that children’s brain activity only started to respond to music education after two years of lessons. (We have personally seen results sooner, often as soon as 8 months to a year). Once responses became able to be documented, the proof was clear. Music lessons increased children’s reading and math ability, and activated parts of the brain that could only be stimulated during the process of playing or reading music.

So what do we take away from all of this? The world is competitive. Our children need every advantage to seize upon opportunity. Music builds a foundation for success by accelerated the processes of reading and calculation, and also builds an intuitive nature necessary to becoming a beneficial member of society. We would love to help your child start this journey. Call us to make an appointment for any instrument and every age.

 

 

 

 

 

Like Beethoven, you can find the path to lifetime success via music.

Music is the Path to Lifetime Success

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If any one individual could tell us about the lifetime success associated with music, it would be Beethoven. As a young pianist, I would listen to vinyl after vinyl of his magnificent symphonies. As a young college student, I would often use his quote “One must be a genius to understand genius.” I spent a long part of my career as an instructor and pianist as a fan of the composer dubbed “the first rock star.”

What is it about musicians (especially the prodigies) that creates an insatiable drive for success and recognition? I came across this amazing article by Flavorwire that allows a rare glimpse into the brain of 20 brilliant musicians. The article highlights the benefits of music as a catalyst for success that is fueled by creativity and self-confidence. These two traits allow us to be ourselves, but also to share our thoughts and ideas with others. Leadership demands that we be able execute the latter. The ability to do so is the number one corollary between every successful person. So dare to dream friends, and find success on your own terms while enjoying the benefit of music lessons in your home our at our studio located conveniently in downtown Nashville (Berry Hill Districit).