We all love a nice melody and aesthetically pleasing sounds every now and then. Little do most people know the impact music actually has on our brain? The human brain has shown some noticeable reactions to music. This article will discuss the significant impact of music on the human brain that can change our overall lifestyle.
Emotional Changes
When we choose a piece of music, it is usually a depiction of our mood. Our brains respond differently to each type of music. A study showed that after listening to a few notes of music, participants could determine the type of music as happy or sad. The participants changed their facial expressions as soon as they were able to determine the tone of the music. Music can also help people understand different emotions even if the person is not sad or depressed at all.
Improves Creativity
We all like to listen to music while doing different chores throughout the day. This is because music keeps you hooked and helps you stay on track without getting bored. Now, loud music from your favorite may be a good way to get the chores done but, by no means is it a good option if you are doing something creative. It causes just way too much distraction.
If you are doing something creative like writing an article (no judgments) or painting a masterpiece for your next collection, listening to low to moderate sounds can help you get the creative juices flowing. Moderate sound levels improve your ability to process difficulty. This, in return, causes your mind to effectively promote abstract processing leading to high levels of creativity. In other words, listening to moderate to low levels of music while working on a creative project will help you generate better ideas and work faster.
Personality Prediction
Whether you are a little toddler or a 60-year-old living in a retirement home, there are some melodies that just make you move, groove, or just feel the vibe. A study was conducted among couples who were still getting to know each other. They were made to go through each other’s playlists. Surprisingly, a reliable number of candidates correctly guessed the personality traits of their partner. Openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and extraversion were the 5 general traits to discuss. Even if you decide to take private music lessons in your home, there is a possibility that your own choice of class will be a depiction of your personality.
Distraction
The songs we love to listen to and remember can somehow take us to another dimension. A lot of people who listen to their favorite songs while driving have proven to be more distracted as compared to the drivers who listened to a random playlist. Other than this, the sound level of music can also impact the way you perform behind the vehicle or while doing other chores. A study conducted for teenagers and adults showed that teens were more distracted while driving as compared to the adult subjects, especially when their favorite song was played. Changes in driving speed and body language were also observed among some participants.
Motor Skills
Learning musical instruments adds more value to life than just being a time pass hobby. A study included two sets of children—one with over 3 years of experience with instruments and others with no experience. The children were made to go through a series of tests. Surprisingly, kids with more music experience were better focused, physically, and mentally active and performed better in all the tests. Other than this, kids with musical experience were also more confident and determined to win.
Other than focus and activity level, having the ability to play an instrument can help you improve other skills such as visual and verbal skills, identifying and handling different scenarios, decision-making abilities, and many other skills.
Helps Exercise
How many times do you find yourself just bored and on the verge of quitting an exercise program because there is literally no motivation? A lot of people do not like exercising simply because it is boring. Listening to blasting music while running on that treadmill or doing some sets of squats can help you get through the routine much faster. As a matter of fact, research from 1911 suggested that bikers who were made to listen to music pedaled much faster than those who were just cycling with the vire.
When you are exercising, your body produces lactic acid, which can cause pain and frustration. Listening to music gives you the ability to push through the pain and stay motivated. Now, if your routine is moderate, music can help you but for more hardcore routines, fighting through the pain is perhaps your last resort. Before you start exercising, make sure to create a motivational playlist with songs you love.
When to Introduce Children to Music?
The crucial question is not when to begin lessons, but rather what the purpose of music lessons for young children is. For example, very young children are not introduced to instruments to master them, but rather to acquire exposure and learn to establish positive experiences with music at a young age. If this is your target, the “lessons” will and should begin soon after birth, preferably during the first year of the child’s life. On the other hand, if you want your kid to learn an instrument, you can make them take private live online music lessons or face-to-face classes from the age of 5. Make sure that this is more of an activity rather than a chore if you truly want your little one to excel at learning an instrument.
Most children have laid the groundwork for formalized music lessons by the age of five. Even now, the purpose of the lessons is to advance one’s knowledge of music rather than to become a great musician on the guitar. The piano and violin are the two most popular instruments played at this period, although some have had success with other instruments such as ukelele, drum, and even a violin.
Best Instruments to Learn According To Age
Now it completely depends on your child’s preference, but studies have shown that children of different age groups tend to perform better with different instruments. For instance:
Toddlers and Preschoolers
Most toddlers and preschoolers show deep interest in the:
- Violin
- Piano
- Percussion
Early Elementary
Most early elementary students show their interest in the:
- Chello
- Viola
- Recorder
Middle School And Above
Children from this group tend to be really picky about the instrument they choose. A child can pursue the instrument they began learning in pre or elementary school. However, most of these kids have also shown interest in:
- Guitar
- Trumpet
- Clarinet
- Flute
Conclusion
We all are interested in music. There is not a single person on earth who doesn’t like at least one form of music. There are plenty of mental health benefits of music. Children who learn to play an instrument at an early age show better emotional, verbal, and motor skills as compared to kids who can’t play an instrument. There is no definite age to learn a musical instrument, but if you really want your child to excel, introduce them to instruments from a very early age.