Studies abound on these benefits; here’s just a sampling:
1. Children who study music tend to have larger vocabularies and more advanced reading skills than their peers who do not participate in music lessons.[1]
2. Children with learning disabilities or dyslexia who tend to lose focus with more noise could benefit greatly from music lessons.[2]
3. Children who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all of their studies, work better in teams, have enhanced critical thinking skills, stay in school, and pursue further education.[4]
4. In the past, secondary students who participated in a music group at school reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs).[5]
5. Regardless of socioeconomic status or school district, students (3rd graders) who participate in high-quality music programs score higher on reading and spelling tests.[7]
6. A Stanford study shows that music engages areas of the brain which are involved with paying attention, making predictions and updating events in our memory.[8]
7. Much like expert technical skills, mastery in arts and humanities is closely correlated to a greater understanding of language components.[9]
8. Young children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory over the course of a year, compared to children who do not receive musical training.[10]
9. Playing drums can relieve frustration, disappointment, and stress. Playing for just a few minutes can boost your mood.
10. Similar to a “runner’s high,” drummers’ brains release feel-good endorphins immediately after playing. The physical stimulation of drumming and the sound vibrations that resonate through every cell in the body stimulate the release of negative emotions.
