Tuesday, April 5, 2016

How Music Helps Your Brain

I was intrigued by this article in Guitar Player, and more so by the TED video that is embedded in the article:

http://www.guitarplayer.com/lessons/1014/10-reasons-why-playing-guitar-is-good-for-your-mind--body--video/51929

According to the article and video, listening to music stimulates the brain, but playing a musical instrument enhances brain functioning even more. It makes sense--music is both emotional and logical, expressive and structured, mathematical and sensually stimulating. It links the brain's two hemispheres, and the brain's "executive functioning" would be enhanced by the processing of the large amount of linked information. ("Executive functioning" refers to mental processes of ordering, sorting, linking and prioritizing information).

Does music help prevent dementia? The article and video imply that it could. I'm wondering if there's a possibility learning a musical instrument might also help persons with  ADHD, although, as far as I know, there is no research regarding this. (People with ADHD have difficulty with "executive functioning.")

Although music may be especially helpful in improving brain functioning and stimulating the brain's reward centers, any artistic activity can improve focus and involve what psychotherapists are currently calling "mindfulness"--a state of focus that relieves anxiety and stress.

Performing one artistic activity can also stimulate activity in other artistic areas  ("Violon D'Ingres"). My favorite example is William Blake, one of the greatest English poets, who was by trade an illustrator and graphic artist. Although he didn't achieve renown as a visual artist, anyone who reads his poetry  is struck by its vivid imagery, especially in his most famous poem, "The Tiger."

There are multiple benefits to engagement in artistic activities.

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