May 3, 2025
Strings, Scales and Smarts: How Music Boosts Your Brain
Ever wonder why picking up a violin or banging on a drum in school could make a child a better student? Welcome to Strings, Scales, and Smarts! In this episode of The Trout Show of Vinyl to Viral podcast, The Trout dives into the science and stories behind how learning a musical instrument sharpens student’s mind, boosts their grades, and builds skills that last a lifetime. From focus to creativity, join The Trout as we explore why music is more than just a class—it’s a brainpower game-changer. Tune in and let’s hit the right note for success!
Your comments are appreciated!
Thanks for listening for more information or to listen to other podcasts or watch YouTube videos click on this link >
https://thetroutshow.com/
WEBVTT
00:00:11.529 --> 00:00:17.629
(Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.) Ever wonder why picking up a violin or banging on a drum in school could make a child a better student?
00:00:18.449 --> 00:00:21.329
Welcome to Strings, Scales and Smarts.
00:00:22.309 --> 00:00:35.450
In this episode of the Trout Show of Vinyl to Viral Podcast, the Trout dives into the science and stories behind how learning a musical instrument sharpens students' mind, boosts their grades, and builds skills that last a lifetime.
00:00:36.509 --> 00:00:43.729
From focus to creativity, join the Trout as we explore why music is more than just a class, it's a brainpower game changer.
00:00:44.590 --> 00:00:47.210
Tune in and let's hit the right note for success.
00:00:48.149 --> 00:00:52.170
Now here's the Trout, right after a brief message from our supporter.
00:00:58.149 --> 00:01:05.969
Meet a financial advisor who learns what truly matters to you, creating financial strategies that support a life you love.
00:01:06.489 --> 00:01:08.549
That's David Smith with Edward Jones.
00:01:08.969 --> 00:01:16.769
His years of experience has assisted dozens of clients, just like you, to weave their way through the maze of financial opportunities available.
00:01:17.329 --> 00:01:24.650
One quick call at 469-372-1587 and David can assist your financial wants and needs.
00:01:25.250 --> 00:01:30.829
That's David Smith with Edward Jones at 469-372-1587.
00:01:31.469 --> 00:01:34.870
Remember, it's your financial future, make it a rewarding one.
00:01:35.390 --> 00:01:39.829
David Smith at 469-372-1587.
00:01:56.829 --> 00:02:02.049
Hey everybody, it is Rick Troutman, aka The Trout, and welcome to another Trout Show Podcast.
00:02:02.269 --> 00:02:03.810
Thank you so much for stopping by.
00:02:04.349 --> 00:02:14.270
This episode of Vinyl to Viral, we're going to look at taking a musical instrument, learning how to play a musical instrument when you're in elementary school, make you a better student.
00:02:15.750 --> 00:02:21.050
We're going to look into that a little bit more in depth in a second, but I want to kind of tell you how I feel about it.
00:02:22.169 --> 00:02:38.909
Now, I was exposed to this when I was young, obviously a lot of people were, but I always wanted to play guitar, so I never did want to play a horn or drums or strings or anything like that, so I never took that information in school about learning how to play an instrument.
00:02:39.870 --> 00:03:14.030
Unfortunately, I've interviewed several non-profits that are involved with providing instruments for those less fortunate students, mostly in the inner city, and what I've discovered is a lot of schools now have abandoned the idea of providing instruments or even music lessons to school students, which I think is sad, and I know more and more people are trying to get into this, but it does make a huge difference in your life, and only if you've done it do you know what I'm talking about.
00:03:15.069 --> 00:03:32.430
Some people take it, learn how to play it, and when they get older they drop it and say I don't want to play it anymore, but then there are those that are touched by the instrument they learn how to play and make a career of performing that music and that instrument through their whole life.
00:03:33.770 --> 00:03:39.550
I think we're missing out if we don't give kids a chance to do just that.
00:03:40.550 --> 00:03:50.590
You know, evidence suggests learning a musical instrument in school can positively impact academic performance, though the strength and specifics vary.
00:03:51.750 --> 00:03:54.750
Let's talk about exactly what I'm talking about.
00:03:55.870 --> 00:03:56.990
You know, I'm a lead guitar player.
00:03:57.169 --> 00:04:07.530
I played guitar for a long time, and I've read and learned that if you have the cognitive ability to play a lot of notes, your brain seems to work functionally better when you're a student.
00:04:09.389 --> 00:04:16.069
So one of the things that I want to look at is the cognitive benefits of learning how to play an instrument.
00:04:16.750 --> 00:04:23.970
Studies show musical training enhances cognitive skills like memory, attention, and executive function.
00:04:25.009 --> 00:04:39.689
For example, a 2014 study in Frontiers in Psychology found children with musical training outperformed peers in verbal, memory, and reading skills likely due to improved auditory processing.
00:04:39.689 --> 00:04:51.829
When you start learning how to read music, your mind has to take those notes that are on that page and convert them into what your fingers and brain is going to be doing next.
00:04:52.790 --> 00:04:56.170
So it also helps math and spatial skills.
00:04:57.189 --> 00:05:02.410
Music education, especially rhythm and notation, correlates with better math performance.
00:05:03.750 --> 00:05:19.850
A 2009 meta-analyst in the Journal of Educational Psychology noted small but significant improvements in math scores among students with musical training, possibly because of shared skills like pattern recognition and spatial-temporal reasoning.
00:05:21.589 --> 00:05:28.930
That's true, because when you're learning how to play an instrument, especially if you're with a bunch of other 5th and 6th graders, you've got to keep up and learn that stuff really quick.
00:05:30.149 --> 00:05:40.310
But, you know, music is kind of a language of its own, and learning an instrument strengthens phonological awareness, aiding reading and language development.
00:05:40.509 --> 00:05:42.329
Like I said, you have to learn how to read the music.
00:05:42.449 --> 00:05:43.050
Is that a C?
00:05:43.189 --> 00:05:43.670
Is that a D?
00:05:43.769 --> 00:05:44.209
Is that an E?
00:05:44.250 --> 00:05:44.550
Sharp?
00:05:44.689 --> 00:05:45.269
What is that?
00:05:46.069 --> 00:05:57.129
A 2011 study in Music Perception linked music lessons to better reading fluency in young students, and particularly those struggling with dyslexia.
00:05:57.129 --> 00:05:59.170
A lot of people have that problem, unfortunately.
00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:04.600
Also learning how to play a musical instrument, you have to have discipline.
00:06:05.540 --> 00:06:09.500
It takes work to learn how to play, and a lot of focus.
00:06:10.519 --> 00:06:15.759
Music requires sustained effort and practice, fostering habits that transfer to academics.
00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:27.120
A 2013 American Psychological Association study found students in music programs had higher GPAs and better time management skills than non-music peers.
00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:34.800
You know, people talk about organized sports as a great way of people getting together, kids getting together, working with a group of people.
00:06:36.339 --> 00:06:37.860
Well music does the same thing.
00:06:37.939 --> 00:06:41.319
It has a social, emotional growth pattern to it.
00:06:42.100 --> 00:06:46.959
You know, music programs often involve collaboration, boosting motivation, and engagement.
00:06:47.879 --> 00:07:00.959
A 2017 British Journal Music Education study reported students in music classes showed improved self-esteem and school attendance in directly supporting academic outcomes.
00:07:02.990 --> 00:07:10.089
There is a gnaw that comes to you when you start learning how to play an instrument and want to get better, especially if you want to get better.
00:07:10.550 --> 00:07:19.569
And the fact that you're working with your friends and your peers, you just start supporting everybody and you just get smarter, I think.
00:07:20.069 --> 00:07:22.810
And it also, I think, impacts emotional growth.
00:07:22.990 --> 00:07:24.370
That's really what I believe.
00:07:25.610 --> 00:07:27.189
So let's look at a couple of things.
00:07:27.189 --> 00:07:33.509
There's a couple of things to think about, though, when it comes to this, and that is correlation doesn't equal causation.
00:07:35.170 --> 00:07:41.850
For actors like socioeconomic status or parallel involvement can inflate perceived benefits.
00:07:42.810 --> 00:07:58.269
Some studies, like the 2020 Journal of Research in Music Education analysis, found negligible direct academic gains when controlling for these variables suggest music's impact may be supplementary rather than transformative.
00:08:00.269 --> 00:08:05.509
So it's kind of one of those things you think about, does it really help or doesn't it help?
00:08:06.810 --> 00:08:14.170
I've always learned people that learn how to play an instrument young and then carry it on seem to do better in school.
00:08:15.009 --> 00:08:19.850
I'm not one of them because I didn't take classes in school to play a musical instrument.
00:08:19.850 --> 00:08:23.910
I was in a band, which probably messed up my mind even more.
00:08:25.050 --> 00:08:26.670
So let's just finish it off with this.
00:08:27.449 --> 00:08:35.210
Learning an instrument likely enhances cognitive and behavioral skills that support academics, particularly in language, math, and focus.
00:08:36.190 --> 00:08:39.928
But the effect size is modest and depends on context.
00:08:40.710 --> 00:08:47.889
Consistent, long-term music education tends to yield stronger results than short-term exposure.
00:08:49.429 --> 00:08:57.389
That's how I believe and that's why I think it's important that kids in school should have the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument.
00:08:58.509 --> 00:09:01.509
That's my take on this episode of the Trout Show.
00:09:02.269 --> 00:09:03.690
Thanks for stopping by.
00:09:03.929 --> 00:09:07.669
Thanks for listening to the Trout Show podcast, Final DeViral.
00:09:08.690 --> 00:09:14.450
Until next time, people, remember what I always say, it's only rock and roll, but I love it.
00:09:14.450 --> 00:09:17.750
Oh, and by the way, don't forget to practice.
00:09:18.350 --> 00:09:18.830
See ya.
00:00:11.529 --> 00:00:17.629
(Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.) Ever wonder why picking up a violin or banging on a drum in school could make a child a better student?
00:00:18.449 --> 00:00:21.329
Welcome to Strings, Scales and Smarts.
00:00:22.309 --> 00:00:35.450
In this episode of the Trout Show of Vinyl to Viral Podcast, the Trout dives into the science and stories behind how learning a musical instrument sharpens students' mind, boosts their grades, and builds skills that last a lifetime.
00:00:36.509 --> 00:00:43.729
From focus to creativity, join the Trout as we explore why music is more than just a class, it's a brainpower game changer.
00:00:44.590 --> 00:00:47.210
Tune in and let's hit the right note for success.
00:00:48.149 --> 00:00:52.170
Now here's the Trout, right after a brief message from our supporter.
00:00:58.149 --> 00:01:05.969
Meet a financial advisor who learns what truly matters to you, creating financial strategies that support a life you love.
00:01:06.489 --> 00:01:08.549
That's David Smith with Edward Jones.
00:01:08.969 --> 00:01:16.769
His years of experience has assisted dozens of clients, just like you, to weave their way through the maze of financial opportunities available.
00:01:17.329 --> 00:01:24.650
One quick call at 469-372-1587 and David can assist your financial wants and needs.
00:01:25.250 --> 00:01:30.829
That's David Smith with Edward Jones at 469-372-1587.
00:01:31.469 --> 00:01:34.870
Remember, it's your financial future, make it a rewarding one.
00:01:35.390 --> 00:01:39.829
David Smith at 469-372-1587.
00:01:56.829 --> 00:02:02.049
Hey everybody, it is Rick Troutman, aka The Trout, and welcome to another Trout Show Podcast.
00:02:02.269 --> 00:02:03.810
Thank you so much for stopping by.
00:02:04.349 --> 00:02:14.270
This episode of Vinyl to Viral, we're going to look at taking a musical instrument, learning how to play a musical instrument when you're in elementary school, make you a better student.
00:02:15.750 --> 00:02:21.050
We're going to look into that a little bit more in depth in a second, but I want to kind of tell you how I feel about it.
00:02:22.169 --> 00:02:38.909
Now, I was exposed to this when I was young, obviously a lot of people were, but I always wanted to play guitar, so I never did want to play a horn or drums or strings or anything like that, so I never took that information in school about learning how to play an instrument.
00:02:39.870 --> 00:03:14.030
Unfortunately, I've interviewed several non-profits that are involved with providing instruments for those less fortunate students, mostly in the inner city, and what I've discovered is a lot of schools now have abandoned the idea of providing instruments or even music lessons to school students, which I think is sad, and I know more and more people are trying to get into this, but it does make a huge difference in your life, and only if you've done it do you know what I'm talking about.
00:03:15.069 --> 00:03:32.430
Some people take it, learn how to play it, and when they get older they drop it and say I don't want to play it anymore, but then there are those that are touched by the instrument they learn how to play and make a career of performing that music and that instrument through their whole life.
00:03:33.770 --> 00:03:39.550
I think we're missing out if we don't give kids a chance to do just that.
00:03:40.550 --> 00:03:50.590
You know, evidence suggests learning a musical instrument in school can positively impact academic performance, though the strength and specifics vary.
00:03:51.750 --> 00:03:54.750
Let's talk about exactly what I'm talking about.
00:03:55.870 --> 00:03:56.990
You know, I'm a lead guitar player.
00:03:57.169 --> 00:04:07.530
I played guitar for a long time, and I've read and learned that if you have the cognitive ability to play a lot of notes, your brain seems to work functionally better when you're a student.
00:04:09.389 --> 00:04:16.069
So one of the things that I want to look at is the cognitive benefits of learning how to play an instrument.
00:04:16.750 --> 00:04:23.970
Studies show musical training enhances cognitive skills like memory, attention, and executive function.
00:04:25.009 --> 00:04:39.689
For example, a 2014 study in Frontiers in Psychology found children with musical training outperformed peers in verbal, memory, and reading skills likely due to improved auditory processing.
00:04:39.689 --> 00:04:51.829
When you start learning how to read music, your mind has to take those notes that are on that page and convert them into what your fingers and brain is going to be doing next.
00:04:52.790 --> 00:04:56.170
So it also helps math and spatial skills.
00:04:57.189 --> 00:05:02.410
Music education, especially rhythm and notation, correlates with better math performance.
00:05:03.750 --> 00:05:19.850
A 2009 meta-analyst in the Journal of Educational Psychology noted small but significant improvements in math scores among students with musical training, possibly because of shared skills like pattern recognition and spatial-temporal reasoning.
00:05:21.589 --> 00:05:28.930
That's true, because when you're learning how to play an instrument, especially if you're with a bunch of other 5th and 6th graders, you've got to keep up and learn that stuff really quick.
00:05:30.149 --> 00:05:40.310
But, you know, music is kind of a language of its own, and learning an instrument strengthens phonological awareness, aiding reading and language development.
00:05:40.509 --> 00:05:42.329
Like I said, you have to learn how to read the music.
00:05:42.449 --> 00:05:43.050
Is that a C?
00:05:43.189 --> 00:05:43.670
Is that a D?
00:05:43.769 --> 00:05:44.209
Is that an E?
00:05:44.250 --> 00:05:44.550
Sharp?
00:05:44.689 --> 00:05:45.269
What is that?
00:05:46.069 --> 00:05:57.129
A 2011 study in Music Perception linked music lessons to better reading fluency in young students, and particularly those struggling with dyslexia.
00:05:57.129 --> 00:05:59.170
A lot of people have that problem, unfortunately.
00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:04.600
Also learning how to play a musical instrument, you have to have discipline.
00:06:05.540 --> 00:06:09.500
It takes work to learn how to play, and a lot of focus.
00:06:10.519 --> 00:06:15.759
Music requires sustained effort and practice, fostering habits that transfer to academics.
00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:27.120
A 2013 American Psychological Association study found students in music programs had higher GPAs and better time management skills than non-music peers.
00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:34.800
You know, people talk about organized sports as a great way of people getting together, kids getting together, working with a group of people.
00:06:36.339 --> 00:06:37.860
Well music does the same thing.
00:06:37.939 --> 00:06:41.319
It has a social, emotional growth pattern to it.
00:06:42.100 --> 00:06:46.959
You know, music programs often involve collaboration, boosting motivation, and engagement.
00:06:47.879 --> 00:07:00.959
A 2017 British Journal Music Education study reported students in music classes showed improved self-esteem and school attendance in directly supporting academic outcomes.
00:07:02.990 --> 00:07:10.089
There is a gnaw that comes to you when you start learning how to play an instrument and want to get better, especially if you want to get better.
00:07:10.550 --> 00:07:19.569
And the fact that you're working with your friends and your peers, you just start supporting everybody and you just get smarter, I think.
00:07:20.069 --> 00:07:22.810
And it also, I think, impacts emotional growth.
00:07:22.990 --> 00:07:24.370
That's really what I believe.
00:07:25.610 --> 00:07:27.189
So let's look at a couple of things.
00:07:27.189 --> 00:07:33.509
There's a couple of things to think about, though, when it comes to this, and that is correlation doesn't equal causation.
00:07:35.170 --> 00:07:41.850
For actors like socioeconomic status or parallel involvement can inflate perceived benefits.
00:07:42.810 --> 00:07:58.269
Some studies, like the 2020 Journal of Research in Music Education analysis, found negligible direct academic gains when controlling for these variables suggest music's impact may be supplementary rather than transformative.
00:08:00.269 --> 00:08:05.509
So it's kind of one of those things you think about, does it really help or doesn't it help?
00:08:06.810 --> 00:08:14.170
I've always learned people that learn how to play an instrument young and then carry it on seem to do better in school.
00:08:15.009 --> 00:08:19.850
I'm not one of them because I didn't take classes in school to play a musical instrument.
00:08:19.850 --> 00:08:23.910
I was in a band, which probably messed up my mind even more.
00:08:25.050 --> 00:08:26.670
So let's just finish it off with this.
00:08:27.449 --> 00:08:35.210
Learning an instrument likely enhances cognitive and behavioral skills that support academics, particularly in language, math, and focus.
00:08:36.190 --> 00:08:39.928
But the effect size is modest and depends on context.
00:08:40.710 --> 00:08:47.889
Consistent, long-term music education tends to yield stronger results than short-term exposure.
00:08:49.429 --> 00:08:57.389
That's how I believe and that's why I think it's important that kids in school should have the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument.
00:08:58.509 --> 00:09:01.509
That's my take on this episode of the Trout Show.
00:09:02.269 --> 00:09:03.690
Thanks for stopping by.
00:09:03.929 --> 00:09:07.669
Thanks for listening to the Trout Show podcast, Final DeViral.
00:09:08.690 --> 00:09:14.450
Until next time, people, remember what I always say, it's only rock and roll, but I love it.
00:09:14.450 --> 00:09:17.750
Oh, and by the way, don't forget to practice.
00:09:18.350 --> 00:09:18.830
See ya.
