Is Music Beneficial to daily life?

Nina Balbo

IntroductionStudying in the arts has been proven as an

important part in developing children’s intellectual development.

Many colleges believe participation in music or related subjects “broadens understanding and appreciation of the world”.

At the same time music can also be damaging or beneficial to you.

AcademicEducationally, there are 6 subjects that colleges recognize as

essential.The arts/music is one of the 6.A study was done with 2 groups of college students. The first

group listened to Mozart before taking an IQ test while other group did not.

The results showed that the group listening to Mozart had the highest average score.

Students taking music courses score higher than those without.Students studying music scored higher in the SAT.Music performance students scored 53 points higher on the

verbal and 39 points higher on the math.Music appreciation students scored 61 points higher on the

verbal and 42 points higher on the math.

AcademicAccording to a National Study done in 1988…Music students received more academic

honors, including more scores of A’s, A/B’s, B’s compared to non-music students.

Another percentage shows the number of music majors as 66 % that are accepted as medical students.

Lastly, listening to “steady tempo” music can increase your ability to remember things by 92%.

The BrainThe University of Montreal studied brain activity during

certain tasks and concluded that…sight-reading musical scores and playing music “activates

regions in all four of the cortex’s lobes” and “parts of the cerebellum are also activated during those tasks.” -Sergent, E. Zuck, S. Tenial, and B. MacDonnall

Researchers in Leipzig used brain scans to determine that musicians had a larger planum temporal.

The planum temporal is related with reading skills. In this study it was also decided that musicians had a thicker

corpus callosum.This is the nerve fibers that connect the two halves of the

brain.

Health As most people know, music can increase your heart rate,

lower your blood pressure, change your mood and so on… Everyone responds to music differently. Rhythm is an important aspect of how we perceive music as it

helps to organize physical movements. Yet, an off beat or quick rhythm can upset balance of the body

and increase blood pressure, tension, and pulse. While at the same time, listening to music can be positive to

your health. For example: reduce chronic pain from a range of conditions including:

osteoarthritis, 21% disc problems, 21% rheumatoid arthritis, 21% Depression, 25%,

HealthStudies show that tempo is the aspect of a song that affects

you, not the style.Researchers gathered a group of men and women, half of

which were trained musicians.Each listened to 6 types of music, from rap to classical with

two minute pauses between songs.Results showed that they had a faster heart and breathing

rate when listening to lively music. As the music got slower, so did their heart and breathing rates.

Whether or not a person liked the style of music did not matter. The tempo, or pace, of the music had the greatest effect on relaxation.

Benefits53% of Americans over the age of 12 are current or

former music makersArt education gives students the skills they need in a

workplace:the ability to learn new skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive for excellenceAs well as listening to a choice of music boosts

creativity and allows your mind to expand on thoughts.

Music develops a positive attitude in the listeners and provides them with motivation.

The NegativeSome types of music can cause the brain to lose it's

symmetry between it's right and left hemispheres.It happens all the time, when trying to do

something while listening to loud or disruptive music. Focusing then becomes very difficult.

Two genres of music that affect the brain this way are:

RapHeavy RockIt could be the beat or constant repetition that

leads to anger or hostility.

ConclusionThen again, the listener’s state of mind

has to do with the type of music you listen to.

For example: Heavy, loud music may be the only outlet for someone to “drain” their anger. While it could create anger in another listener.

In the end, music is universally shared and understood.

It plays a huge role in daily life.

Bibliographyhttp://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/adv

ocacy/factsandstatistics.htmlhttp://www.brainhealthandpuzzles.com/effect

s_music_brain.htmlhttp://www.cerebromente.org.br/n15/mente/

musica.htmlhttp://www.emedexpert.com/tips/music.shtmlhttp://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.p

hp?t=82094