It is no coincidence that among several countries whose science students were rated, the top three countries for science education also included music throughout their curriculum, from kindergarten through high school. These three countries were Hungary, The Netherlands and Japan.
Did you also know that is has been found that many of the top technical designers and engineers in Silicon Valley are also practicing musicians? This is yet another connection between science and music.
Another amazing result of adding music to schools is this: in 1984, a school in the New York area was about to fail, and then added an intensive music curriculum. As of 1993, 90% of those students were reading at or above age level.
Here's something fascinating from a man named Dr. MacLean from the National Institute of Mental Health. He found that a small part of the brain (10%), which is called the limbic system, controls things such as emotions and certain types of memory. He found that the limbic system is so powerful, that it can control the 85% of our minds that is devoted to higher order thinking. So, if a person has a lot of negativity in their life, their ability to learn can be impaired, and the opposite is also true - much positivity can heighten learning. It is no wonder that students who get together and play music, and almost always enjoy it, show higher scores in other academic areas.
So, get together at Earthtone School of Music, play some music, and boost your brain!
www.earthtonemusic.org
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
MUSIC THE HEALER
Did you know that of the many things music can do, one of the most amazing things it can do is help heal brain injuries? Music can not only heal the brain, but heal the bodily functions that the brain operates. Here is an example of what I mean: researchers have found that people who have suffered strokes, and suffer with Parkinson’s disease increase their ability to physically move around when learning music.
Researchers have found that the areas of the brain that process music when learning to play music, also process many functions, such as: processing language, auditory perception, attention, memory, executive control, and motor control.
Dramatic results have been seen with people who have motor (movement) control problems. Since walking our bodies around requires quite a bit of rhythm to coordinate all of our parts properly, the rhythm of music has been shown to help people with these “body rhythm” problems. Rhythmic cues heard by these patients allow for their bodies to suddenly step into rhythm and move more gracefully and accurately.
In upcoming blogs, I will explore more of how music affects the brain, and how it can make us better learners in so many ways! Until then, learn more about music by exploring Earthtone School of Music’s website: http://www.earthtonemusic.org/
Tim Kurteff-Schatz
Researchers have found that the areas of the brain that process music when learning to play music, also process many functions, such as: processing language, auditory perception, attention, memory, executive control, and motor control.
Dramatic results have been seen with people who have motor (movement) control problems. Since walking our bodies around requires quite a bit of rhythm to coordinate all of our parts properly, the rhythm of music has been shown to help people with these “body rhythm” problems. Rhythmic cues heard by these patients allow for their bodies to suddenly step into rhythm and move more gracefully and accurately.
In upcoming blogs, I will explore more of how music affects the brain, and how it can make us better learners in so many ways! Until then, learn more about music by exploring Earthtone School of Music’s website: http://www.earthtonemusic.org/
Tim Kurteff-Schatz
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