In ways that are unmatched by other pursuits, like athletics for instance, learning to become musical powerfully reinforces language skills, builds and improves reading ability and strengthens memory and attention, according to the latest research on the cognitive neuroscience of music. This is the essence of “Music Magic Memorization.”
The connection between music and memory
The key to understanding music’s advantages, researchers say, lies in how the brain processes sound, the raw material of music, language, and—perhaps counterintuitively—learning to read. The sounds that come in through our ears travel along an anatomically complex “auditory pathway” that’s deeply connected to parts of the brain that determine how humans move, how we think and speak, what we know, and what we pay attention to.
Suzuki music programs, such as the one provided by Seed Music Academy, attempt to nurture students and help them develop their character through the study of music. The Suzuki Method is a structured process of teaching music that can be an effective way for young children to learn a new instrument. Interestingly, the number of students playing instruments is increasing year on year.
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (UK). (September 16, 2020). Share of children who practiced and/or performed with a musical instrument in England in 2019/2020, by age [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 05, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/420885/childrens-playing-musical-instrument-england-uk/
Rhythm and Recall
What makes “Music Magic Memorization” so powerful is how it engages all those different systems in a single activity. To play the violin, for example, a student needs to co-ordinate their motor, cognitive, and sensory systems to be able to put their fingers on the correct strings and move the bow at the right pace; to read musical notes on a sheet of music and know what sounds they represent; and to hear if the pitches and rhythms are correct and co-ordinating with other players at the right time.
Then there’s how the sound of music makes the student feel, which lights up the brain’s reward system. Engaging all these different systems makes learning how to play music one of the richest and deepest brain activities that humans perform. The type of instrument doesn’t matter; flute, violin, accordion, piano, voice—even abundant exposure to music can make an impact.
Interesting, there are numerous resources which offer a repository of music renditions that can benefit students. The ‘Sound and Vision’ centre combines audio resources of Naxos Music Library with thousands of video recordings of live operas, concerts and masterclasses. Naxos Music Library is the largest classical music academic resource in the world, offering nearly 3 million tracks on over 170,000 separate recordings, allowing students to enhance their music skills through this excellent teaching and learning resource.
Emotional Connection
Beyond rhythm, music also taps into our emotions. Having a strong emotional connection to a piece of music can serve as a powerful tool, allowing us to recall associated information more effectively. The ability to keep a steady beat and anticipate the next beat, are reliable indicators that a child is also ready to learn. Keeping rhythm is not the only skill that paves the way for language development, but it certainly helps students decode musical notions, connecting it to sounds.
“Music Magic Memorization” has a remarkable ability to enhance a student’s memory and aid the process of memorisation. By tapping into our brains’ natural affinity for rhythm, emotion and context, music can create a conducive environment for students to learn and recall.
