How playing an instrument benefits your brain - Anita Collins
TED-Ed
4 min, 45 sec
Playing music activates the brain in a complex, enriching manner, enhancing cognitive functions and memory.
Summary
- Neuroscientists have discovered that playing music involves widespread brain activity and serves as a full-body brain workout.
- Playing an instrument engages visual, auditory, and motor cortices, and strengthens brain functions broadly.
- Musicians have improved memory functions and executive function, benefiting from increased brain connectivity.
- Music learning has been shown to uniquely enhance brain areas, unlike other artistic activities, as per recent studies.
Chapter 1
Playing music generates extensive brain activity, akin to a celebration inside the brain.
- Musicians experience a burst of brain activity when playing instruments, appearing as fireworks on brain scans.
- This activity occurs in real-time and is observable with fMRI and PET scanners.
Chapter 2
Listening to music and playing it activate the brain differently, with playing music providing a more intense workout.
- Listening to music activates certain brain areas, but playing music engages the brain more fully and intensely.
- Musicians' brains have increased activity across multiple brain areas, processing information in fast, complex sequences.
Chapter 3
Playing music enhances brain function, improving motor skills, and cognitive abilities.
- Playing an instrument requires fine motor skills and engages both hemispheres of the brain.
- Musical practice strengthens linguistic, mathematical, and creative aspects of the brain.
Chapter 4
Musicians exhibit heightened executive function and problem-solving skills.
- Musicians have better planning, strategizing, and attention to detail, analyzing cognitive and emotional aspects simultaneously.
- These skills enhance memory functions, allowing musicians to tag memories more efficiently.
Chapter 5
Learning to play music offers unique cognitive benefits not found in other activities.
- Studies show that music learning uniquely enhances brain function, unlike sports or other arts.
- Randomized studies indicate that music learning boosts brain areas more than other activities.
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