Time to say thank you, because all that practice did more than tune up your recital skills. It may have made the language areas of your brain more efficient, too. If you never took music lessons, here's why you should start.
Music and Lyrics
Researchers recently asked a group of musicians and nonmusicians to listen to -- and reproduce -- tone sequences. (Answer these seven questions to find out how reliable your hearing is.)
Your Brain on Music
Not surprisingly, the musicians performed better on the task. But this was a surprise: As the musicians reproduced the tones, scans of their brains showed major activity in areas linked to language, leading researchers to conclude that building music skills may bolster language areas of the brain as well. In other words, studying music is like doing push-ups for your brain! (Here's another way to give your brain a workout.)
Did You Know?
Just listening to music has health benefits, too. Here's an example.
RealAge Benefit: Learning a new skill that requires brainpower can make your RealAge 1.3 years younger.Researchers recently asked a group of musicians and nonmusicians to listen to -- and reproduce -- tone sequences. (Answer these seven questions to find out how reliable your hearing is.)
Your Brain on Music
Not surprisingly, the musicians performed better on the task. But this was a surprise: As the musicians reproduced the tones, scans of their brains showed major activity in areas linked to language, leading researchers to conclude that building music skills may bolster language areas of the brain as well. In other words, studying music is like doing push-ups for your brain! (Here's another way to give your brain a workout.)
Did You Know?
Just listening to music has health benefits, too. Here's an example.
 | Try It: Always wanted to tickle the ivories or strum a hot guitar? Feed your inner rock star and tune up your brain at the same time with these step-by-step video lessons -- designed for total beginners: Easy Piano, Easy Bass, Easy Guitar Deluxe, and Easy Drums |
