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Thursday, December 8, 2011
Did You Know Playing the Piano Might Make You Smarter?
Piano Lessons Give the Gift of a Brighter Future!
Article Review: Suzanne Sholer
While searching for:brain teasers, for the Omemee Pigeon, I stumbled across Brain Connections - a site full of fascinating quizzes articles,and more all about the brain.The article that intrigued me most was 'Playing the Piano Might Make You Smarter', by Jerry Gabriel.Apparently, playing the piano improves the part of the brain involved in mathematical, and scientific reasoning. Here's my take away from it,along with a list of some piano instructors in our rural area..
Studies Show Individual Piano Instruction Improves Thinking Skills
In 1993, an article in the journal 'Nature' suggested listening to Mozart might improve spatial-temporal reasoning abilities. Spatial-temporal skills figure heavily in activities like mathematics, science, engineering, and playing chess. Parents everywhere promptly stampeded music stores for this miraculous make-you-smarter-drug we were all waiting for - 'the Mozart Effect'. The state of Florida legislated daycare facilities play Mozart each day,and the governor of Georgia, had a major record company donate a copy of Mozart's "Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major," to every new mother. Time passed and more studies found that while the effects of listening to Mozart only lasted for about an hour, playing an instrument seemed to be directly related to greater development of different parts of the brain.
Mozart Effect Temporary - Playing Piano Long-Lasting Effects
Studies up to 2001 seem to indicate, that playing the piano seeems to improve spatial-temporal ability. But why the piano? Why not the saxaphone? Or the guitar? Why not the marimba? It seems strange one instrument would have a measurable higher impact. Could it be keyboarding rather than the music? Apparently not.One very surprising study found a group taking private keyboard and singing lessons, scored 34 percent higher on tests measuring spatial-temporal ability than those receiving private computer lessons.
Private Piano Instruction Tops Skills Scales
Private piano lessons,rather than group lessons seem to show the greatest effect.Eighth-grade musicians who had experienced individual instruction achieved better results on the scores on the Iowa Basic Test, and standardized skills test, than those who received group instruction. Plus students who played keyboard—rather than singing, horns, drums, or other instruments—attained the best scores of all.
Most researchers are at somewhat of a loss to explain the phenomenon,but it is becoming clearer how important arts are in brain development. There is a definite link between the arts, math and science. So it seems an investment in individual piano lessons would make an excellent gift, not just as a fun past-time,but as an investment in your child's future. Piano lessons are available in our rural area through:
Dunsford
Steve McCullough, 72 Birchcliff Avenue Dunsford Ontario K0M1L0 705-793-3507 http://www.irondalestudios.com
Omemee
Arlene Gray 649 Sturgeon Rd Omemee, Ontario K0l2W0 705 -799-1742
www.kawarthatrebletroupe.ca/studio
Janetville
Marie-Therese Gummer, M.Mus, B.Mus, GPD, ARCT 905-441-5447
http://www.pianokids.ca
There must be many more as well If you know of any other piano instructors,please add a comment below with their details. Thank you.
About the Author:The article at Brain Connections was created by Scientific Learning.com who have developed a Fast Forward program that which accelerates learning using software. The Fast Forward program seems to be helping students at numerous USA schools achieve great success, but that's another story. I'm off to tickle the ivories and build my brain.
Resources:
http://www.scilearn.com/
http://brainconnection.positscience.com/topics/?main=fa/playing-piano
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