Laura Clarke
Comm 101
Effect of Classical Music on the Brain
“Classical music affects the brain’s organization and abilities, through its melody and
rhythm. The known effects of music on the brain are varied: music affects from humans’
and animals’ brains to plants’ development.”
The commonly known “Mozart effect”
http://www.classicalforums.com/articles/Music_Brain.html
I. The Mozart Effect
- http://www.skepdic.com/mozart.html
A. The Mozart effect is a term coined by Alfred A. Tomatis for the alleged
increase in brain development that occurs in children under age 3 when they
listen to the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
B. Studies of the Mozart Effect
- http://www.musica.uci.edu/mrn/V7I1W00.html
- Studies have shown that music learning and practice also benefit many mental
and behavioral processes, including cognitive development, language learning,
reading ability, creativity, motor skills, and personal and social adjustment.
- Although this “Mozart Effect” has generated a lot of excitement, it is also the
most misunderstood aspect of music research.
- As the Mozart Effect actually does not increase general intelligence and lasts
only a few minutes, it does not provide a substitute for music study and practice.
Substantial, long lasting effects require deeper and more sustained involvement
in music study and music-making.
II. The Power of Music on Memory and Learning
- http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n15/mente/musica.html
- In 1982, researchers from the University of North Texas performed a three-way
test on postgraduate students to see if music could help in memorizing
vocabulary words.
- The students were divided into three groups. Each group was given three tests a pretest, a posttest, and a test a week after the first two tests. All of the tests
were identical.
- Group 1 was read the words with Handel's Water Music in the background. They
were also asked to imagine the words.
- Group 2 was read the same words also with Handel's Water Music in the
background. Group 2 was not asked to imagine the words.
- Group 3 was only read the words, was not given any background music, and was
also not asked to imagine the words.
- The results from the first two tests showed that groups 1 and 2 had much better
scores than group 3. The results from the third test, a week later, showed that
group 1 performed much better than groups 2 or 3. However, simply using music
while learning does not absolutely guarantee recall but can possibly improve it.
Laura Clarke
Comm 101
Background music in itself is not a part of the learning process, but it does enter
into memory along with the information learned.
A. Music Enhances intelligence, learning and IQ
Music has the power to enhance some kinds of higher brain function
 Reading and literacy skills
 Spatial-temporal reasoning – it is when a person has the ability to
visualize spatial patterns and be able to mentally manipulate them
in a time-ordered sequence.
 Mathematical abilities – Even children with attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder benefit in mathematics tests from
listening to music beforehand.
 Emotional intelligence
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B. But don’t just listen join in:
http://www.brainready.com/blog/music_for_your_brain_health.html
Joining in boost IQ also.
It's one thing to listen passively to music in order to derive brain benefits.
But even more brain-engaging, and even IQ-boosting, is playing or writing
music, including taking music lessons.
Learning a new instrument improves brains ability.
III. The Relaxation Factor.
- How music relaxes you into sleep
http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/music.shtml
A. Relaxing classical music is safe, cheap and easy way to beat insomnia. Many
people who suffer from insomnia find that Bach music helps them.
B. Researchers have shown that just 45 minutes of relaxing music before
bedtime can make for a restful night.
C. Music reduces stress and aids relaxation
Listening to slow, quiet classical music, is proven to reduce stress.
D. How music reduces stress
a. physical relaxation
Music can promote relaxation of tense muscles, enabling you to easily release
some of the tension you carry from a stressful day.
b. Aids in stress relief activities
Music can help you get "into the zone"
c. Reduces negative emotions
Laura Clarke
Comm 101
Music, especially upbeat tunes, can take your mind off what stresses you, and
help you feel more optimistic and positive.
IV. Music Heals
http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/music.shtml
Effective therapy for pain
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Music serves as a distractor
Music may give the patient a sense of control
Music causes the body to release endorphins to counteract pain
Slow music relaxes person by slowing their breathing and heartbeat
Reducing blood pressure
Medicine for the Heart
Speeds Post- Stroke Recovery
Chronic Headaches& Migraine remedy
Music Boosts Immunity
one sonata a day will keep the doctor away
V. On Animals and Plants, Too!
http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n15/mente/musica.html
-Tests on living organisms besides humans have shown that special pieces of music
aid in producing more of whatever the organism produces.
A. Research took a new avenue when in 1968 a college student, Dorthy Retallack,
started researching the effects of music on plants. She took her focus off of
studying the beat and put in on studying the different sounds of music. Retallack
tested the effects of music on plant growth by using music styles including
classical, jazz, pop, rock, acid rock, East Indian, and country. She found that the
plants grew well for almost every type of music except rock and acid rock. Jazz,
classical, and Ravi Shankar turned out to be the most helpful to the plants.
However, the plants tested with the rock music withered and died. The acid rock
music also had negative effects on the plant growth.
Conslusion
The effects of music are fundamental in life, and benefit the listener always.