 |
The Link Between Music and Math
by Nigel Joneston
http://www.fvgmusic.com
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 and 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 attracted to the spoken work when it sounds
rhythmic and melodic. Talk to a baby in a normal tone of
voice and then change your words to a nursery rhyme that has
melodic and bold sounding words throughout. You may find
that the baby pays more attention to you when you are saying
words that have a poetic, mathematical stride to them much
more than when your words are mundane and spoken in a normal
tone of voice.
Small children love to listen to music that has patterns and
repetitive lines to it. This is because their brain is
computing the music message in way that catches their
interest and makes them think. And the more ways in which
children are taught to think, the more they will 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.
During a child's growth, it's important to have music as a
part of their life. Studies show that children who are
active in music, whether as a result of playing an
instrument or listening to a wide variety of music, perform
better in math. The studies indicate that this is a result
of their brains developing in such a way that they are able
to discern patterns and repetition among the musical notes.
Math is essentially following known patterns until you
arrive at a conclusion. For example, once you know that
formula to find an answer, such as the simple formula of
addition or something as complex as determining the degrees
of an angle, you'll be able to use that pattern to get an
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
can not be disputed. Increasingly, studies have confirmed
the relationship between music and math and the benefits
that accrue.
Submit An Article
|
|
|
