Researchers: Learning a musical instrument in childhood boosts brain plasticity
Latvian researchers say that learning music in childhood trains several brain functions simultaneously and, in the long run, helps reduce stress and maintain alertness.
Learning to play a musical instrument requires a child to master and perform several skills at once – reading sheet music, fine hand motor control, coordinating both hands, relying on hearing, and controlling breathing. This was discussed on Latvian Radio's programme "Zināmais nezināmajā" by Valdis Bernhofs, professor and leading researcher at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, and Jurģis Šķilters, professor at the University of Latvia and head of its Laboratory for Perceptual and Cognitive Systems.
Training several skills at once
The researchers emphasize that mastering these varied skills simultaneously is a complex process requiring the brain to coordinate multiple actions at the same time. In their view, this kind of multitasking demand promotes brain plasticity – the ability to adapt and form new neural connections.
Long-term benefits
According to the researchers, regular music-making also brings long-term benefits – it helps the brain cope better with stress and maintain alertness. Learning a musical instrument in childhood is thus described not only as an artistic skill but also as an investment in brain function that can pay off later in life.
