Can music listening and performance change our genes?
Possibly! This heavy duty article highlights the recent research which has found that music listening and performance has been found to influence how genes behave or regulate themselves. The first few sentences set the scene and we have done a translation for you.
“Musical training and performance require precise integration of multi-sensory and motor centres of the human brain and can be regarded as an epigenetic modifier of brain functions [this means that music training connects two of the largest information gathering senses in our brain and that as an activity it has the ability to change how our brain works that is not related to genes or predispositions].
“Numerous studies have identified structural and functional differences between the brains of musicians and non-musicians and superior cognitive functions in musicians” [well the BBB community is pretty much across this idea].
“Recently, music-listening and performance has also been shown to affect the regulation of several genes, many of which were identified in songbird singing [this means how the genes behave, so genes aren’t set in stone, they change how they behave based on experience, the basic nature/nurture idea, and music listening and performance have been found to have impact on the behaviour. This has been found through the study of songbird singing which is the use of comparative research between animals and humans to better understand gene expression]”
Music has always been a go-to for lifting our spirits, but did you know classical music might take it a step further by actually helping treat depression?
Founder of Bigger Better Brains, Dr Anita Collins, receives hundreds of emails from students around the world asking questions about neuromusical research. So she decided to record a short video about the most asked questions she has received.
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As a music teacher, how often have we heard the phrase, “I have to skip rehearsal, I have a test”? In my school, as in many schools, we have our only rehearsal time in the morning prior to school starting, and I hear this comment regularly through the school year.
A new research project will investigate if singing together could be more than just a pleasant pastime; it might be a powerful tool for enhancing cooperation across various aspects of society, from classrooms to boardrooms.
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There is a commonly held belief that learning music should only be for those students who are identified as talented or interested. Neuromusical research has shown that music learning can benefit all students in terms of cognitive development.
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Imagine a world without music. There are no high school marching bands, no commercial jingles, and no need for Grammy Awards. It’s a rather dreary thought, yes?
Recent research has revealed that brain training programs for children do not lead to significant improvements in real-world cognitive functions.
Imagine a world where music serves as a powerful tool for healthy aging. Dr. Psyche Loui at Northeastern University explores how music strengthens brain connections, enhancing memory and emotions.
Dr. Seinfeld's research involving participants aged 60 to 85 found that those who took piano lessons showed remarkable improvements in executive functions, attention, and inhibitory control.
Neuroscientist Nina Kraus notes that playing an instrument is one of the richest brain activities, leading to better language and reading skills.
I have been privileged to walk the road with many schools as they transform their school through music learning.