Here’s one of those controversial topics that we might like to avoid discussing:
What if music lessons are not really linked to making kids smarter?
Would your world come to a halt? Would you stop giving music lessons? Would you stop thinking that they were good for children anyway? Of course not! So, don’t let the next few paragraphs make you upset. Just let them make you think…
In spite of the recent article from the NY Times about music being a key to success, there has also been a study done by a Canadian psychologist that suggests:
…that children who take music lessons tend to be more conscientious and open to new experiences than their peers. These are the same sorts of personality traits, he said, that also are associated with high IQ and doing well in school. When researchers account for these personality traits, the link between cognition and music training suggested by some previous studies disappears, he said.
I love the point that Schellenberg makes that we certainly don’t need to justify the study of music by its spillover effects. There are many other benefits of music that bless people’s lives that are good in and of themselves.
So don’t let this rock your world too much. But it is important to think about the fact that we should probably focus mainly on the the primary benefits of music lessons rather than the secondary benefits when trying to sell the idea to parents. Things like joy in music making, discipline in learning a skill, ownership of a skill, etc.
What do you think are some of the primary benefits of music lessons?
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I think that’s a good point, Wendy. Whether the student receives a “Baby Mozart” effect is secondary to the importance of actually learning to play/compose/perform, etc. I personally feel that music ed has positive effects on cognition that could impact other subjects, but that is only my opinion. The only thing I can offer as a teacher is training in music. To guarantee anything else is foolish.
Some of the primary benefits of music lessons are: the sheer joy of making music that lasts a lifetime, the satisfaction of learning and achieving something difficult, and gaining the ability to collaborate with others.
Whether music students are more prone to become mathematical geniuses or CEOs is something scientists and teachers will probably debate for a long long time!
It is a life long observation that great social skills and relationships with others enjoying music is a side benefit, but so important in our development and confidence. As we grow up, our childlike creativity needs the nurturing of music studies. One student said after 10 years of lessons, “I feel I could do anything that I invest time, talent and energy into and be a success!”
The focus on beauty also has such wonderful emotional advantages. It has uplifted me and my students and gotten our minds off the difficulties of life. These are immeasurable values to me. Thanks for always making us think, Wendy..
I often get asked by prospective parents how soon can their kids take Piano exams. I have to remind them that there is a lot more to the piano that just achievement. I think whether or not if piano lessons make one smarter is not even a concern. There are a lot more important skills one learns… Perseverence, character building, self satisfaction, persistence, the gift of sharing our talents with others, etc. You get the picture. But yes, it does make one smarted too… ;o).
I think these words from the article are important also, and point to the importance of musical intelligence–and specifically that musical intelligence is worthwhile for its own sake, and should be based on a broader definition than many people use: (Sorry for the lack of indents below. The following is all copied and pasted from the article.):
“We don’t have tests that predict from a young age who is going to excel at music,” he admitted, “and we don’t have tests that we can give to adults to correlate well with achievement.”
Levitin spoke about a colleague who gave one of the more popular musical aptitude tests to members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and “half of them scored in the lower half of the test,” he said.
He thinks that researchers “would benefit from a broader definition of musicality,” which would include not just people who can read music and play virtuoso cello, but also people like DJs with a knack for putting together a playlist and those who are profoundly moved by music.
It would be something that makes them appreciate life!
I think psychology is trying to explain the brain too much. Science can never explain the wonders of the brain and the enjoyment of music. This is just theory. It is important that we focus on how music makes us feel….that’s what we can never explain and don’t have to explain. Why do we have to put everything into words? After all, music is the language of the unspoken in so many ways. Music goes beyond putting people’s brains into “molds”. That’s why I love music, it is self expression that cannot be stifled! I’m just tired of having to explain away everything…..