Does learning or playing an instrument make you smarter?

Question

I have heard that learning an instrument helps you to learn more things and make you smarter. Is this true?

Answer 1

So does playing certain computer games (strategic types)

Answer 2

I don't know if it makes you smarter, but i think that it challenges the brain to a higher extent then other things.

Answer 3

well reading music helps you with math.  it's like you learn fractions before you ever need to use them if you're a little kid because you have to keep the beat and stuff.  Half note, whole note, eighth note, quarter note... that kind of stuff.

also it (obviously) makes you more musical and stimulates your brain.  Also will add to your compositional skills.

I have been playing piano forEVER and I still like it... I can remember pieces pretty quickly and i have a g t or if it doesn't.

i mean... it can't make you dumber XD.  it's always great to use your brain in different ways, and music helps you.  Do you know on that game Brain Age, there is a piano playing activity where you play a simple tune, and you get extra points for playing the right rhythms!!  That game was developed with the help of a doctor... so i guess playing music really does exercise your brain!  XD

Answer 4

Musicians who can read sheet music use a larger portion of their brain than those who don't!

Answer 5

yes it's true

Answer 6

Yes...

(Discover Magazine reported that learning a musical instrument has been proven to stimulate neuronal connection growth in your brain, in a way that few things do...even the simple act of learning ANYTHING new helps people suffering from senility and the initial stages of alzheimers...)

Even the simple act of "walking and exercising every day" was proven to be good for your "intellect," because what is good for the body, is always good for the brain...

Answer 7

The articles I have read indicate that learning to make music somehow exercises a different part of the brain. Supposedly it is part of the "left brain" / "right brain" thing.  Try reading up on articles along that line.

I know that at my son's school, most, if not all, of the top 15 students that graduated last year were in some sort of music (band, orchestra, etc.)

Answer 8

Depends what instrument, i was quite smart then i learnt the drums and now people assume i'm some drop out bum.

Answer 9

I've heard something like that but i don't think it makes you smarter. it just teaches your mind how to multi-task. It makes you more proficient with everything you do. Better hand-eye coordination, things like that.

Answer 10

Yes, if you mean that smarter means you have more neuron connections firing in your brain. It is like going to a new place and exploring that area, your brain will increase its connections.

However you will lose this over time if you stop playing though. I believe the time scale is 24 hours, 48 hours 2 weeks then 6 months for the neuron connection to die off.

Answer 11

YES. i can't explain how but it is true. and some say that knowing how to play several musical instruments really makes you smarter and other people would even think how great you are once they find out you can play any musical instrument,especially the piano,they'd think that you are wealthy or something. ^_^

Answer 12

Music Theory is highly related to mathmatics.

Learning to play an instrument, by itself, may not relate as much as writing music.

Many musicians cannot read or write music.  Some novices play only by ear, often learning by trial and error.

A good ear recognizes the notes on the scale and can be learned.