Music is Mathematical: How Learning an Instrument Boosts Math Skills

You may already have that perfect album or playlist for when you’re studying for a math test, but did you know that playing an instrument actually improves your math skills? There are many similarities between learning an instrument and learning math, believe it or not. Here are just a few:

Share this Image On Your Site

1. The Mozart Effect
1. Listening to certain music, like classical, activates a part of the brain that aligns with learning.
2. So if listening to certain music activates that part of the brain, learning music also has tremendous benefits.
2. Success For Musical Students
1. Studies show that students who play an instrument have a higher chance of success in more complex mathematical problems and testing.
2. Both music and math require higher cognitive processing skills such as:
1. Translating music to movement
2. Compensation and adaption
3. Even at an early age, children are learning parts of a song, like the chorus and other patterns needed in math.
3. Similarities in Math and Music
1. Music is highly analytical, similar to math. In many cases, specifically algebra
2. Learning music requires the following: 
1. Time signatures
2. Beats per minute
3. Formulaic progressions
4. Whole notes / half notes / quarter notes
5. Rhythm
3. Similar to learning in math: 
1. Fractions
2. Ratios
3. Counting
4. Learning how to play an instrument works the same side of the brain used for math problems.

References:

• https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/correlation-between-math-and-music-ability
• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-there-a-link-between-music-and-math/
• https://mussila.com/can-music-help-improve-learning-mathematics/