The effects of music on your brain

Which is better: playing music or listening to music?

Many parents encourage their kids to learn an instrument with the goal of brain development while keeping them busy. Many students play music while they study because it helps them focus. While the reasons as to why students listen or play music vary, there are other ways in which music positively affects your mind.

While playing a musical instrument, your nervous system is on high alert. This means that you may actually be able to remember that boatload of information for your next upcoming test more easily.

A study that was conducted by college students in South Carolina on school children in America stated that children who took vocal or piano lessons had higher IQ’s at the end of the year than those who did not. This shows that playing an instrument can help with achievement in other areas like academics and extracurriculars.

I mean, you can’t always carry an instrument with you wherever you go, which is why listening to music can help too. Depending on the music you listen to, it can help reduce stress and elevate your mood, which can be pretty helpful during finals week.

So is one better than the other? Not necessarily. Playing music helps your brain develop and retain information while listening to music helps with focus and motivation. Listen to music in the background of studying or on your way home, or if you don’t have any after school activities then why not start playing? As you’ve read, it’ll surely be worth it.