courtesy jrossol
Can learning music really change the way that your brain processes sounds and therefore your reactions? According to a Northwestern University study (Press Release) it can.
They detail the study and how the participants reacted to a 250 millisecond sample of a baby crying. The study determined the brain stem activity of each person after hearing the sound. In between sounds the participants were watching a monitor that was playing nature sounds. I’m assuming this was to negate outside factors.
I think they’re on to something. Me personally, growing up I know that my creativity was better while I was playing often. In my adult life, when I was teaching and playing I found myself better able to concentrate on things, write better (maybe I’ll start playing again and keep blogging, wouldn’t that be a trip).  That’s it, I’ll break out my keyboard and violin and start actually playing again. I’ll let you be the judge later down the road.
Remember the Mozart Effect? This goes into that realm of possibility. Is a person really able to be smarter because they listened to classical music while they were a baby. I’m not convinced of that at all, but I do know that the emotion response from listening to classical music is much more intense. However I’ve noticed that other types of music help my concentration level stay even. Metallica’s S&M (Strings and Metallica) with the San Fransisco Orchestra is a good example of this. Not only does it help my concentration, but I’ve noticed that it keeps my mood exactly where it was when I started listening to it.
The studies are just going to start coming out on this topic. I suspect as the understanding of the brain goes up the number of studies like this will as well. I’m looking forward to it.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/DyeHard/Story?id=7050081&page=1
