More and more studies are being done that find a strong connection between music and math. Part of this connection is the patterns that exist between math, language, and music. Music is a series of notes that are played according to a pattern that has been established. Math works in much the same way. Although there are many ways that can you add, multiply, subtract, and divide numbers, the ultimate combination is still finite.
The same is true of music. Notes are combined in a series of groupings (almost an endless variety) but the number of sounds created is finite. It is patterns and combinations such as this that make music and math similar. Our brain seems to process the information from music and math in a different manner than it computes other information.
Babies are first attracted to speech when it sounds rhythmic and melodic. Parents instinctively know to talk to a baby in a tone that has melodic and bold sounding words throughout, rather than using a normal voice. You will probably notice that the baby pays more attention to you when you speak to them in a poetic, mathematical stride to them rather than when your words are mundane and spoken in a normal tone of voice.
Small children love to listen to music with repetitive patterns to it. Perhaps this is because their brain is computing the music message in way that catches their interest and makes them think. Hopefully, as a result of children learning different methods to think, they are more willing to learn and absorb.
Give a child anything in their hand and they start creating musical patterns and rhythms. Al the music they make has a definitive pattern and beat. Children have the unique capability to create patterns out of random sounds. How well they create music and how tuned they are establishes the mathematical powers of the child that evolve later in their adult lives.
As a child grows it's important to continue to have music as a part of their life. Studies show that children who are active in music, whether playing an instrument or listening to a wide variety of music, do better in math. This is because their brains have developed in such a way that they are able to discern patterns and repetition among the musical notes.
Math is essentially the following of known patterns to arrive at a conclusion. Once you know that formula to find the answer, such as the simple formula of addition or the more complex formula of determining the degrees of an angle, you'll be able to use that pattern to get that answer.
The music and math connection works both ways: it's common for children who do well in math class to be extremely successful when it comes to playing an instrument and reading musical notes. The combination of both these skills will often lead to better overall performance in school.
Making music an integral part of our lives right from birth places us on the fast track and gives us an advantage that cannot be disputed. Increasingly, studies have confirmed the relationship between music and math and the benefits that accrue.
About the Author
Nigel Joneston is the webmaster for For Very Good Music, the #1 source on the internet for information about music. For more articles on music visit: http://www.fvgmusic.com/articles
Emily Sigers
emily@thepianopages.com
If you have ANY questions or comments, please e-mail me at:
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