Correlation between music achievement/interest and academic performance

[appianway]

Has anyone else noticed that a large proportion of musicians are often amongst the top academic performers in the country?

[zzdfa]

high academic performance ~ asian ~ parents who force their kids to do music at an early age?

hmm  actually
are you talking about the best musicians, or just people who play an instrument?

[appianway]

People who are highly interested in music.

And they're not all asian, or just people who work exceptionally hard. I know a number of 2010 Music Captains around Melbourne (the ones I'm thinking of at the moment are all caucasian), and they've all won a number of academic competitions. Maybe it's just a coincidence...

[NE2000]

It's a phenomenon that has been noticed. And there are a few biological reasons that have been suggested (sorry if any of these are factually incorrect lol, I enjoy reading about this stuff so I learnt a little bit):

Firstly, brain imaging studies have revealed that musicians while they are playing tend to have higher activity in particular areas in the frontal lobe (the lobe of the cerebrum that is concerned mostly with creativity and the deep thinking that humans are known for).

But more importantly and in relation to the link with academic performance, music influences something that a lot of people characterize with intelligence and that's the ability to grasp new ideas, make connections and think of new ideas. The latter can be linked to improvization during music, where the same imaging studies have shown that there is less activity in the same areas. When there is less activity, there is in fact more room for ideas. This is because in a relaxed mode the brain is less likely to ignore stimuli (as it often does when in a focussed mode). So why is music helpful? It's because when improvising a musician has the ability to keep on working and performing at the same time as allowing ideas to flow. If you think about it (well this is how I think about it), when you are doing a hard maths problem it is most beneficial if you can keep on working at the same time as letting new ideas and methods flow through your head from which you might find a solution. It's actually quite interesting: when your brain (or specifically an area of the temporal lobe, which is in the side) is ready for ideas, an EEG trace would show waves called 'alpha waves' that have a long wavelength, but has soon as the idea comes that same area switches into 'gamma wave' mode so it can focus on the idea. That same sort of pattern is identified in creative processes like playing music.

However, zzdfa brings up a decent point (although appianway is not asian I think so won't appreciate the stereotype ) and it's also true that a lot of smart people don't play music and a lot of top musicians aren't particularly strong academically, but yes there appears to be a correlation

[the.watchman]

Hey everyone

I reckon the people who can sit down and concentrate in music (practice!) also probably have the capability to focus on their studies.
Music, particularly at a young age, can probably teach kids discipline and patience skills, which are useful for achieving good academic marks.

That is all.

[appianway]

Hmm, very true. It's just strange that many of the people in the 'music circle' seem to circulate with the academically elite too.

[brightsky]

Hmm, very true. It's just strange that many of the people in the 'music circle' seem to circulate with the academically elite too.

+1

[amirite?]

Most of the top musos have been playing their instrument since they were in their nappies.
Theyre nurtured into being perfectionists. The expectations that they put on themselves (and the pressure from their parents) in music must transfer over into academic areas.
Many parents force music onto their kids because theyre aware of this potential correlation.
This sort of music is only really appreciated by the upper class too, so parents may see music as another pathway into socioeconomic success.

[schmalex]

Yeah, you'll notice that the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary College consistantly does exceptionally well in ENTER scores.

[appianway]

Most of the top musos have been playing their instrument since they were in their nappies.
Theyre nurtured into being perfectionists. The expectations that they put on themselves (and the pressure from their parents) in music must transfer over into academic areas.
Many parents force music onto their kids because theyre aware of this potential correlation.
This sort of music is only really appreciated by the upper class too, so parents may see music as another pathway into socioeconomic success.

I really don't agree. There's definitely a correlation between students who perform outstandingly in competitions (many of which are difficult to study for) and have a strong interest in music... or at least out of my friends. They're not forced - they just happen to be smart and very, very interested in music.

And I would never describe music as "another pathway into socioeconomic success". The difficulty of finding a job is one of the reasons why I ruled out a career in orchestral music a few years ago.

[boysenberry]

No way. There can't be a correlation. The music obsessed people in my school are by far the most laziest.
But generally, they seem to do better than art students academically so who knows?

[/0]

I think learning a new piece of music is like solving a crossword puzzle. Your mind is always active when you're learning music. It also teaches you to recognise familiar patterns so you become more adept, and exercises your memory too.
I think music is excellent for developing audial aptitude, while chess is better for visual aptitude.

[boysenberry]

If there is a correlation, would just listening to music from an ipod help academically?

[m@tty]

If there is a correlation, would just listening to music from an ipod help academically?

It has been said that certain classical music does stimulate brain activity. I think it is the intricacy of the music and how your brain handles it, if you are listening 'hard' you can single out a single instrument. I don't know if it's true though.