Music of the Hemispheres: Playing Instruments Gives Brains a Boost

While Alissa Quart in Extreme Parenting claims that Mozart effect is not helping the children to be smarter, however, music does somehow help the brain to function better in different areas. First, Rachel Ehrenberg says that music improves verbal and nonverbal skills. People who received music training for a certain of time have a better sense of sound detecting. They are better off at distinguishing between some specific sounds and background noises. Music transforms their nerves to be more sensitive when it comes to listening. Also, they have a better rythem than other people. In terms of verbal skills, music trained people are able to point out syntax errors within a piece of text or conversation due to their sensitivity. This is similar to when the musicians listen to a piece a music. They have ability to point out the error if a wrong note is being played. I think that’s why musicians are better at proofreading. And there is a study saying that music actually helps us to learn a new language. Musicians are better at telling the difference between mandarin syllables with no familiar Chinese knowledge. Although Mozart effect does not make people to become smarter, music enhances the sensitivity and the ability to distinguish unfamiliar objects. I think music stimulates the brain so that more unused parts of brain are developed. This is good for children while their brains are starting to grow. However, not all of the music is good for brain development. In the early stage of a child, it is inappropriate to ask them to listen to music like heavy metal since it may damage their brain. Pop songs do not really help to grow because its repetitive beats do not give them creativity, and the lyrics always are related to sex, drugs, partying and drinking. It most likely would bring negative influence to children when they are becoming teenagers.