The learning of music as a means to improve mathematical skills

Abstract

Music improves the development of our brains and helps to improve our abilities in other subjects such as reading and mathematics. From simple sums to complex functions, mathematical concepts form part of the world of music. Because of this connection, it is possible to establish a positive correlation between participation/performance in music and cognitive development in mathematics. Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences incited several researchers to re-examine the relationships between musical experiences, music learning, and academic achievement. The majority of studies have found that the most significant relationships are between music and mathematics, or to be more specific, between music and spatial-temporal reasoning (important in mathematical concepts), and music and performance in reading. With regard to the former relationship, the assumption is based on a group of studies which explore the effects of learning to play the keyboard on spatial-temporal reasoning, suggesting that mastering a musical instrument helps one to develop an understanding of mathematics. Furthermore, neuroscientific research has been carried out which associates certain types of musical practice to the cognitive development of humans.

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