Benefits of Music Education | Merit School of Music (2024)

Research proves that music classes & lessons provide a myriad of benefits for your brain, physical and mental health, and general well-being.

Top Four Benefits of Studying Music

Do you know what after-school activity benefits kids and teens the most? Studying music, of course!

Everyone knows making music is fun, but music education also provides a myriad of benefits to your brain, physical and mental health, and general well-being.

In fact, the impact of learning to sing or play an instrument on a child or teen’s development is more than twice that of sports, theater, or dance.

So, whether your child is picking up a guitar for the first time or spending years honing their flute skills, you can rest assured it will be more than just music to your ears. It’s an investment in their future!

Benefits of Music Education | Merit School of Music (12)

Benefits of Music Education | Merit School of Music (13)

1. Music Strengthens Your Brain

The process of learning and playing an instrument increases brain power and functionality, resulting in a boosted IQ and improved concentration.

Music accelerates brain development for babies and kids, enhancing fine and gross motor skills, executive function, and sensory development.

In the longer term, music keeps your mind sharp, reducing the chances of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia.

According to a study from MIT, learning music, not coding, makes kids smarter. Neuroscience shows that learning a musical instrument increases brain power and functionality, in the short and long term.

2. Music Improves Success in School & Life

Children and teens who study music perform better in school.

They get higher grades, have improved literacy, and are 24% more likely to graduate. In fact, students highly engaged in music are, on average, academically over one year ahead of their peers!

Positive attributes learned through music–making, such as confidence, independence, perseverance, leadership, and personal responsibility, prepare you for life-long success.

Music students also develop enhanced spatial-temporal skills, priming them for STEM careers requiring advanced problem-solving skills. On average, 66% of music majors who apply to medical school are accepted (the highest of any undergraduate group), and at Merit 35% of Conservatory graduates go on to careers in the STEM field!

Benefits of Music Education | Merit School of Music (14)

Benefits of Music Education | Merit School of Music (15)

3. Music Nurtures Your Mind & Body

Does listening to music make you happy? Imagine how much creating it can impact your mind!

Studying music nurtures creativity, builds empathy, and helps people better express their emotions and manage anxiety.

Making music is also good for your body. You might not realize it, but when playing an instrument you’re often using your arm, core, and back muscles.

In addition, the deep breathing that voice, wind, and brass instruments require builds stronger lungs and, as a natural stress reliever, music is good for our blood pressure and heart rate.

"Music gives you have a better understanding of yourself. Your understanding of art and the world, and how you can think and express yourself, are enhanced.”

Dr. Eric Rasmussen

The Johns Hopkins University

4. Music Builds Community & Broadens Worldviews

Making music brings us together. When making music with others, such as in a group class, chamber group, or ensemble, you’re introduced to new experiences and points of view.

At a community music school like Merit, which engages students from all backgrounds and corners of Chicagoland, music connects different cultures and promotes equity, inclusion, and belonging.

In addition, research shows that music students are more active in their school community and exhibit enhanced relationship-building and teamwork skills.

Benefits of Music Education | Merit School of Music (16)

That's Not All!

There Are So Many More Benefits to Studying Music:

Frequently Asked Questions​

How long will it take for studying music to benefit my child?

Studying music has immediate benefits, with some students experiencing cognitive benefits within 20 days.

However, music’s benefits are deepened with the long-term study of music. Studies say that 2-3 years of instrument study is when academic benefits start to significantly increase.

In other words, even if you’re not sure your child will enjoy piano lessons or stick with voice classes for years, it’s worth giving it a try. Even a short stint in the world of music will have life-long benefits. Merit offers programming for every step of a child’s musical journey, from pre-K to pre-collegiate, ensuring a great start and a progressive pathway to mastery.

How do babies and toddlers benefit from early childhood music classes?

Music classes help even very young children learn and grow by:

  • Accelerating brain development
  • Kickstarting social development
  • Boosting emotional awareness and regulation
  • Building fine and gross motor skills
  • Supporting sensory and language development
  • Enhancing hand-eye coordination
  • Teaching patience and perseverance
  • Bonding with their parent or caregiver

Learn more about the benefits of music classes for babies and toddlers.

Can music benefit my child with disabilities?

The impact of music on children with physical, intellectual, or learning disabilities is astounding. Oftentimes, the benefits of music education are amplified in children with disabilities.

Here are just a few examples:

Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Children

Music education is especially beneficial for deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) children. Music stimulates the areas of the brain, improving language development and literacy, building confidence in themselves and their voices, reinforcing inhibitory control and muscle memory, and much more.

Learn more by exploring these resources from Merit’s partnership with the Foundation for Hearing & Speech Resources (FHSR), called Music to My Ears:


Children with Autism

Music benefits children with autism by stimulating social awareness, emotional regulation, gross motor skills, communication skills, and more.


Children with Learning Differences

By strengthening the brain, improving concentration, and boosting performance in subjects such as math, English, and science, music education has tremendous value in helping kids and teens with learning differences flourish in school.

What about adults? Am I too old to benefit from music?

You’re never too old to benefit from making music! Whether you’re in your 20s or in your 80s, many of the benefits of music education still apply to you.

Making music allows you to express yourself, build confidence, relieve stress and anxiety, and move your body.

In addition, it helps keep your mind sharp, protecting against age-related decline.

Read more about the benefits of music for adults:

Start Making Music Today!

Benefits of Music Education | Merit School of Music (2024)

FAQs

What are the benefits of music education? ›

Music education is especially beneficial for deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) children. Music stimulates the areas of the brain, improving language development and literacy, building confidence in themselves and their voices, reinforcing inhibitory control and muscle memory, and much more.

What are the benefits of music education PBS? ›

Research shows that playing and listening to music can be used to help children practice and learn important skills, such as language development, spatial skills and motor skills. Music can also introduce children to new cultures through music styles as well as encourage social skills and self-esteem.

What are the benefits of music PDF? ›

It develops precise control of smaller muscles in the arms, hands, and feet through movement and instrumentation as well as internal muscles used in breathing and singing. Music promotes coordination of words and actions. verbal and nonverbal skills. Music boosts a child's self-confidence by performing in public.

What is the main goal of music education? ›

Music Education and Child Development

As a collaborative endeavor, music instills values of teamwork and cooperation, and nurtures self-confidence. Physically, children develop fine motor skills and enhance sensory integration through interacting with various instruments.

How does music education improve academic performance? ›

Musical training develops the region of the brain responsible for verbal memory—the recall and retention of spoken words—which serves as a foundation for retaining information in all academic subjects.

What does music education do to the brain? ›

In ways that are unmatched by other pursuits, like athletics for instance, learning music powerfully reinforces language skills, builds and improves reading ability, and strengthens memory and attention, according to the latest research on the cognitive neuroscience of music.

How does music education improve social skills? ›

By participating in musical activities, children learn to develop trust, communicate effectively, cooperate with peers, and resolve conflicts.

What are the five benefits of music in child development? ›

Here are our top five reasons why music can be beneficial to the development of your child.
  • Music increases toddler's sensory development. ...
  • Music can improve literacy and numeracy. ...
  • Music is a mood lifter. ...
  • Music helps toddlers build coordination. ...
  • Music can help toddlers develop their vocabulary. ...
  • Learn new tunes at playgroup.

How does learning the music help you? ›

Music helps the brain to develop

Different studies have proven that the comprehension of musical language can benefit a child's overall mental development. Figures show that students who study music are more successful on standardised tests and are also likely to achieve better grades in high school.

What are two benefits of music? ›

Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.

Why music is important to us? ›

Music improves your health and wellbeing

Music stimulates the brain which in turn helps with pain relief, reducing stress and memory. A study from Harvard has shown that relaxing music may lower blood pressure and heart rate after physical exertion.

What are three benefits of learning music? ›

The Benefits of Music Education
  • More Than Just Music. Research has found that learning music facilitates learning other subjects and enhances skills that children inevitably use in other areas. ...
  • Language Development. ...
  • Increased IQ. ...
  • The Brain Works Harder. ...
  • Spatial-Temporal Skills. ...
  • Improved Test Scores. ...
  • Being Musical.
May 7, 2012

What are the four pillars of music education? ›

Abstract. The four essential pillars of music learning - Artistry: the coalescence of intent and beauty, Philsophy: the embodiment of our values, Psychology: understanding how humans learn, and Pedagogy: the tools to assist all learners in reaching their greatest potential - are discussed.

What is the necessity of music education? ›

Music education can help kids and students enhance their memorization skills if started early. This is because students use their memory to remember the notes and lyrics while performing. Especially if they use a sheet for performing music, they can engage their memory entirely.

How does music help you academically? ›

“Studying can be stressful, and excessive anxiety can hinder learning and memory consolidation,” says Medina. “The right choice of music, such as instrumental or ambient music, can help block out distractions, improve concentration, and maintain attention during study sessions.”

How does music education benefits youth wellbeing? ›

Research has shown music's centrality to childhood development and addressing elderly cognitive decline. Music education has been shown to boost cognitive development and emotional well-being among K-12 students.

What are the benefits of being a music teacher? ›

Teaching music can be a viable career option or simply a stepping stone towards another career option. It is a very flexible job with both scheduling and the amount of hours you care to work. One can easily foster other musical goals while teaching music.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 5610

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.